Online discussions are a great tool for expanding classroom conversations and learning, making students engage with online class material. Online discussions are usually organized through discussion forums, forums and threads.
• A discussion forum is the tool that hosts the space for online discussions.
• Discussion forums can hold multiple forums, which can be organized by topic.
• Discussion threads are conversations within discussion forums and begin with a main question or question. Users can respond to the original request and can respond to other responses.
Course management systems, such as Blackboard, and other web-based tools, such as Piazza, organize online discussions.
Online discussions can take other forms such as discussions based on a job, or feedback dialogue on a student's writing. For example, by creating a wiki collaboratively, students can discuss the process online, or by posting on a blog, students can discuss blog entry in the comments section.