WHAT LEARNING ACTIVITIES DO DISCUSSION BOARDS SUPPORT

Debates
As a twist on directed discussions, the instructor may divide students into two or more teams to first research different perspectives of some issue. These perspectives may be contradictory (arguments for and against the Confederate battle flag flying over the South Carolina state house) or complementary (schedule for electrical, structural, and plumbing contractors on a job site). The discussion can be focused on "position statements" generated by the various groups (e.g., "in our view, this should happen..."). Where differences of opinion exist, students can ask others to explain their reasoning or defend their views. The moderator should help students to develop a consensus position agreeable to all parties (e.g., "what common ground can be found...").

see Arctic Circle Case Debates
http://borealis.lib.uconn.edu/ArcticCircle/VirtualClassroom/HAARP/haarp.html

see International Communication and Negotiation projects
http://www.icons.umd.edu/