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How can you promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions?

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Online discussions are a common feature of many online courses and learning platforms. They can offer a valuable opportunity for learners to interact with each other, share ideas, and deepen their understanding of the course content. However, not all online discussions are equally effective in fostering critical thinking and learning. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources and perspectives, and to apply it to solve problems and make decisions. Learning is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes through experience, reflection, and feedback. How can you promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions? Here are some tips and strategies to help you.

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1 Define the purpose and expectations

Before you start an online discussion, make sure you know the purpose and expectations of the discussion. What are the learning objectives and outcomes of the discussion? What are the rules and guidelines for participation? How will the discussion be assessed and evaluated? Communicating the purpose and expectations clearly and explicitly can help you and your fellow learners to focus on the topic, avoid confusion and conflict, and achieve the desired results.

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Marsielle E. Foster

Supervisory Training Specialist at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
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This guidance helps frame the conversation. This can be difficult because on a virtual is challenging. The word delivery must be precise but flexible enough to have a healthy exchange of information

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Albert Orbinati, Ph.D.
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As online instructors, it's important for us to establish a standard—to set the example. I like to be the first to respond to a discussion question and I want students to see my response before others start chiming in. I learned this from a mentor many years ago. You set the tone and approach first and let your students follow suit thereafter. And, if you're facilitating a course with adult learners, participating first in the forum levels the playing field. You're not the "sage on the stage," you're an active facilitator of their learning.

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2 Ask open-ended and probing questions

One of the best ways to stimulate critical thinking and learning in online discussions is to ask open-ended and probing questions. Open-ended questions are questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no, but require explanation, evidence, or elaboration. Probing questions are questions that follow up on an initial answer or comment, and ask for clarification, justification, or expansion. Asking open-ended and probing questions can help you and your fellow learners to explore different aspects of the topic, challenge assumptions, compare and contrast opinions, and deepen your understanding.

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Oni Hassin

Medical Technologist at University of Louisville Healthcare
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This is the main way that I promoted critical thinking when I was a teacher. Forcing the students to give more than a yes or no answer, prompts the student to think deeper and do spot research. That is the most important part of teaching is to make the student think not regurgitate. if it’s done constantly and consistently throughout the year, then it becomes a habit for the student to think critically. I think this is true of any informational or educational construct.

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Albert Orbinati, Ph.D.
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Open ended questions are a good method to elicit critical thinking. The Socratic Method has worked for hundreds of years. However, the critical thinking "magic" for students (in my experience) happens with follow-up probing questions. Too many instructors do not provide probes. It's an easy way to have students dig deeper into content.

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3 Provide constructive and specific feedback

Another way to promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions is to provide constructive and specific feedback. Constructive feedback is feedback that is respectful, supportive, and helpful, and that aims to improve the quality of the discussion and the learning process. Specific feedback is feedback that is clear, concise, and relevant, and that refers to specific points or examples from the discussion. Providing constructive and specific feedback can help you and your fellow learners to acknowledge strengths, identify weaknesses, suggest improvements, and recognize progress.

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Albert Orbinati, Ph.D.
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I'd add that using the "positive sandwich" approach in feedback has worked for me. Start with a supportive message, follow that with your specific constructive feedback, and end with a supportive message. Providing examples in feedback is also a powerful approach. Show students exactly what you're looking for. Adult learners are always seeking relevance - relevance to their careers, their lives, etc. If you can tie feedback to practical application, that's when relevance really takes hold.

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4 Integrate multiple sources and perspectives

A third way to promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions is to integrate multiple sources and perspectives. Multiple sources are sources that provide different types of information, such as facts, opinions, arguments, or data, from various fields, disciplines, or domains. Multiple perspectives are perspectives that offer different viewpoints, interpretations, or frameworks, from various backgrounds, cultures, or experiences. Integrating multiple sources and perspectives can help you and your fellow learners to broaden your knowledge, diversify your thinking, and enrich your discussion.

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Albert Orbinati, Ph.D.
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"Intellectual curiosity" is a term I like to use with students. If they practice and show an effort to be intellectually curious, that means they're exploring topics, adding multiple perspectives, questioning assumptions, etc. It's a term that has worked for me in the past.

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5 Reflect on your own learning and thinking

A fourth way to promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions is to reflect on your own learning and thinking. Reflection is the process of examining and evaluating your own learning and thinking, and how they have changed or developed as a result of the discussion. Reflection can help you to identify what you have learned, what you still need to learn, what you have done well, what you can do better, and how you can apply your learning and thinking to other situations or contexts.

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Albert Orbinati, Ph.D.
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I have found one of the most powerful things you can do as an instructor in an online discussion forum is to refer to your own experience. Tell stories. Students WANT to hear about you, trust me. You are part of the reason why they're paying so much for an education. Share your story—tell the narrative.

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6 Collaborate with others and build community

A fifth way to promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions is to collaborate with others and build community. Collaboration is the process of working together with others to achieve a common goal or outcome. Community is the sense of belonging, trust, and support that emerges from shared interests, values, and goals. Collaborating with others and building community can help you and your fellow learners to exchange ideas, share resources, solve problems, and create new knowledge.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the purpose and expectations

2 Ask open-ended and probing questions

3 Provide constructive and specific feedback

4 Integrate multiple sources and perspectives

5 Reflect on your own learning and thinking

6 Collaborate with others and build community

7 Here’s what else to consider

Critical Thinking

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How can you promote critical thinking and learning in online discussions?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define the purpose and expectations

2 Ask open-ended and probing questions

3 Provide constructive and specific feedback

4 Integrate multiple sources and perspectives

5 Reflect on your own learning and thinking

6 Collaborate with others and build community

7 Here’s what else to consider

Critical Thinking

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