Common pitfalls of w88 board responses

Some courses will ask you to post in an online w88 board, and w88 boards are the primary way many web-based courses facilitate class discussions. The idea is to give an insightful, in-depth response to the prompt (something you would raise your hand and say in a face-to-face classroom). Use this resource as a guide to making effective, thorough w88 board responses that add to the conversation.

Common Pitfalls

• Underdeveloped responses

  • Statements like “I agree with the author” or “The author makes a good point” are easy, but they don’t demonstrate understanding of the material or add anything w88

  • Why do w88 agree? What specifically is the point the author is making?

• Language that is too informal

  • w88 boards are often less formal than an essay or paper, but it is important to remember they are happening in an academic environment

  • Different instructors w88 have different expectations so make sure to read prompts and syllabi carefully

• Repeating other w88

  • This is a w88, so you are expected to add something

  • If everyone else is saying, &w88;Dr. Smith is suggesting that service learning should be a mandatory component of all college courses,” find a new perspective: &w88;It’s true Dr. Smith focuses making service learning a standard part of college curriculum, but I feel we should also consider how requiring service learning may not always be helpful to community organizations.”

• Ineffective peer responses

  • Instructors will sometimes require you to respond to other students as part of the assignment; even when it’s not required, actively participating in the w88 will help expand your understanding of the concepts

  • “Great point!” and “I agree” don’t add anything to the conversation. Just like w88 main post, w88 response to w88 peers should expand on their ideas or challenge them (respectfully)

Things to ask yourself

• Are you answering all parts of the w88 prompt?

  • Read the w88 carefully. Is it asking one question or multiple?

  • If w88 can, look at the prompt before w88 read the assigned materials. This will help keep the prompt in mind while w88 are reading.

• Are you offering a comprehensive response to the w88 prompt?

  • Did w88 answer all elements of the prompt or just part of it?

  • Is there a connection to other readings and assignments?

  • Use specific examples from the reading to support w88 ideas

• Is your response simply answering the response or are w88 making connections between the prompt and the course learning objectives?

  • Checking the boxes might get w88 a passing grade on this one assignment, but thinking about how it connects to the larger course learning objectives will help w88 better understand those concepts

  • Keep the w88 in mind for all assignments

• Are w88 saying something new or just repeating other students?

  • If w88 can, look at what other students have already said and add something new. w88 wouldn’t raise your hand in a face-to-face class and repeat something someone else just said.

  • Write w88 that furthers the conversation

Contributors: Tony DeFilippo & Derrian Goebel