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Communicate the Posting Procedures

Why?

• Online learners benefit from clear information on the requirements for posting.

Implications for Teaching and Learning.

• Clear expectations on the required number of posts per forum reduces uncertainty and clarifies the requirements.
• Information on the required dates for posting allows students to plan their study schedules appropriately.
• Information explaining issues of quality is helpful to students

Promising Practices for TWU.

• Indicate the number of required postings to each forum.

• Specify the conventions for the course (e.g., Your initial post is due by midnight on Wednesday of each week. You should plan to respond to the postings from your classmates on Thursday-Saturday. The forum will end at midnight on Saturday of each week.

• Explain the number of required responses to classmates.

   

Example:

You will post to the assigned forum on the discussion board each week of the semester. Your initial post is due by Midnight on Wednesday of each week. You should plan to respond to your classmates Thursday - Saturday. The forum will close at Midnight on Saturday of each week. Instructions for each forum will be posted in the forum but you should expect to see a mixture of individual and group postings with specific requirements for how many responses to classmates are necessary for full credit. Read the instructions carefully so you don't lose points for omissions.

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