Getting the most out of discussion boards

Etiquette applies whether in-person or online

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When I began with online classes, discussion boards seemed like a necessary evil.  I HAD to participate in them to earn points, but I really didn't enjoy doing so.  The worst was when I had to participate but felt I had nothing worthwhile to contribute to the discussion.  So how can you participate in class discussion boards to 1. Get the most out of it and 2. Get full participation points? Here are a few pointers...

1. Do the homework or watch the lecture first (duh). 

You will save yourself time this way.  Sure you could skimp and just reword what other people wrote for discussion credit, but you won't learn anything that way, you won't contribute to the class that way, and you won't impress your professors either.  If you we're in a physical room for this discussion, you wouldn't just loiter in a corner listening to other people the entire time and then just regurgitate what you overheard towards the end.. Don't make that mistake in your online classes either!

2. Find something substantive to say.  
Sometimes I really felt as though I had nothing to say.  In this case, the best strategy is to first reply to other discussion posts.  If you really don't know what to say, but want to make a substantive post; find one thing you like or agree with what they had to say and two things you disagree with or think they should give consideration to, or add something additional onto their comments.  After doing a few replies like this, you should have formed a clear enough idea about the topic to write your own original post. (Note to professors: sometimes, just because a student posts their original discussion piece towards the due date, it doesn't necessarily mean they are not engaged I the class, your discussion questions may not be very engaging)

3. Find your peeps!
In most online classes you get extra points if your discussion posting actually leads to a discussion beyond the required "post". In every class there are a handful of people who will be really active on the boards- find out who they are and post replies to their threads. Why? They are likely to post replies to your threads and are more engaged in the class.  This will earn both of you more points, and will lead to better understanding of the material.

4. Post on time and revise if necessary.
  Many times, your initial post will be due early in the week, say Tuesday, before you have had a chance to do all of the required readings.  You should still follow this deadline by at least posting something, even if it isn't your best work.  This will get you the bare bones due date points and by returning to your post to edit it or add on to it, you will show a commitment to the class and the topic.

5. Stay classy! 
Just because you are behind a computer screen, it doesn't make it okay to remove your internal filter.  Remember that your classmates are real people you are talking to.  Online courses cover all of the same controversial topics in-person courses cover, but when you get heated over someone's opinion you aren't actually looking them in the face.  It is easy to react before thinking it through.  If you know a class or topic gets you really riled up; write your post right away, but save it as a draft before you publish!  When you calm down, read it over and make sure your comments are appropriate and coherent before you publish.  And obviously, keep swear words OUT of your posts.