Many institutions have been adopting digital learning in recent times. Have you wondered why? It is an excellent solution to learn from any part of the world. By participating in virtual forums, students gain a great opportunity to demonstrate their learning skills. Thanks to modern technology, there are many ways beyond the regular classroom for students to share their understanding. One such option is a virtual discussion board. Being a teacher, you can use these virtual tools to facilitate rapport in class.
Online discussion may seem like an oxymoron. In comparison to face-to-face discussion, an online discussion is decontextualized in nature. Yet there are many advantages unique to online discussion which can minimize its drawbacks. Thus, CBSE schools in Chennai, like Babaji Vidhyashram School, include online discussions as a part of their regular curriculum. Let us discuss the advantages of these discussions to gain a better insight.
Advantages of Online Discussion
- Online discussions are convenient with the flexibility of time. Unlike physical classrooms, students can arrive at their own schedules. Doing so allows them to focus better.
- Students have less distraction and stress with online discussions. You need not spend time making them comfortable. After a cursory greeting, you can directly jump into the lesson. Without many breaks, you can cover more content than a face-to-face session. Most importantly, off-topic and small talks are minimized during online discussions.
- In-depth learning takes place in an online discussion as there is better focus. The discussions continue irrespective of time, which eventually lead to sharing more ideas. Without distractions or losing track, the discussion thread carries on.
- Introverts participate better in online discussions as they have more time to reflect. This equalizes the contributions between extrovert and introvert students in class.
- Online discussion has a chance to operate with students from diverse backgrounds. It creates different perspectives for a particular subject, thus developing more understanding.
- You can limit or ignore the non-constructive remarks deliberately made in an online session. Therefore, you will be able to save time and feed more information to students.
- Online discussions can access resources effectively. If a student cannot understand a concept, you can immediately post a link or image about the topic in the discussion room. Viewing the student’s work is possible in online chats through comment sections or emails.
Digital Learning is Better- Why?
Digital learning has benefits that students will not be able to get from a traditional classroom. A few of them are:
- Recorded lectures with 24 hours resource
- Connected learning and self-directed study
- Flexible choices with software and programs
- Improved written language skills
- Technology familiarity
- Tracked progress
- Reducing carbon footprint
Virtual Discussion Boards- What to Expect?
Virtual discussion boards help students evolve digitally. It prepares them for a world with a workforce expecting digital etiquette to interact and disagree amongst peers. They learn how to keep up conversations and exhibit their emotions through digital platforms. As it is a needed skill for the future, virtual discussion boards prepare them for the best. Discussion boards foster student-led learning. Undoubtedly, students are the drivers of any conversation happening on a virtual discussion board. Thus, while exploring topics and conversations, they build a new level of understanding. By doing so, in-depth and better learning about a topic takes place.
Discussion boards alleviate the unnecessary pressure and fear amongst students about grading. Without attaching a numerical value, you can determine students’ progress in a virtual discussion board. IB schools in Chennai, like International Village School, grade students without numerical value making children learn without stress. Finally, reviewing materials is possible with discussion boards to create a digital portfolio for topics. It allows students to access information and refresh their learning on concepts at regular intervals.
The Bottom-line
Studying online is effective because it is fun! Students gain better knowledge without even realizing it. With access to more resources, digital learning provides a library of information to the student like no other learning platform. Posting comments and sharing views in padlet, blackboard, google classroom, etc., are becoming a common scenario amongst students. Thus, digital familiarity is becoming a vital part of education.
