Successful Online Teaching Using An Asynchronous Learner Discussion Forum

Abstract

At Capella University online courses are offered using an asynchronous learner discussion forum. At the conclusion of each course, learners are requested to complete and electronically submit a course evaluation form. A document analysis of more than 3000 course evaluations from 154 courses conducted during the past 11 quarters was conducted. Each course folder was reviewed. The narrative responses were ultimately grouped into the following categories: Faculty Feedback, Learner Discussions and Course Requirements. General observations related to these categories were presented followed by several tips for successful teaching in an online environment using an asynchronous learner discussion forum. The tips were initially generated by the document analysis. Additional tips were added and the list was revised each quarter following the end-of-quarter teleconference with the instructors.

Keywords

• ALN
• Teaching And Learning At A Distance
• Facilitating Asynchronous Discussions
• Online Teaching