Building a Brick-and-Mortar Framework for Online Discussion Boards

Presenter Information

Melony Shemberger, Murray State UniversityFollow

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Class discussions are helpful in building knowledge of complex material through peer- and instructor-led opportunities. To facilitate online learning, educators have used the discussion board as a learning tool. Although digital channels of communication have emerged and offer more connected interactivity among the content, students and the instructor, the online discussion board remains the primary tool to facilitate discussions. However, engaging students in the online platform can be challenging. Applying two theoretical frameworks that have served as the foundation for online education, this article discusses several tactics that can help the instructor to adapt the brick-and-mortar instructional approach of classroom discussions to create effective online discussions.

Author Biography

Dr. Melony Shemberger is associate professor of journalism and mass communication at Murray State University. She is faculty regent on the university’s Board of Regents.

Shemberger was a 2019 Bluegrass Academic Leadership Academy Fellow, a 2017 Scripps Howard Academic Leadership Academy Fellow, and a 2014 Reynolds Journalism Institute Business Journalism Professors Seminar Fellow. At Murray State, she was a Faculty Teaching Fellow from 2015-17 and was interim director of the Faculty Development Center in 2016. She also teaches in the Governor’s Scholars Program.

A lifetime member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and chapter president, Shemberger served on the national board of directors from 2016-18.

Shemberger earned a Doctor of Education from Tennessee State University. She is pursuing a master’s in instructional systems design at the University of Kentucky.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.