Several of the literature teachers in my building use the forum feature on Moodle for students to respond to literature. I have not seen the lesson plans for this assignment, but I’ve heard a great deal about it from students and the teachers. Forum discussions force students to form opinions about their reading and defend them. They also allow students to have a discussion using a format in which they are comfortable. I would really like to try using forums with my students.
The teachers assigns students to forum groups based on the book they are reading (this assignment is usually used for their required outside reading book). There is usually some time spent in class showing the students how to use the forum feature on Moodle. Some teachers assign certain discussion topics, some allow a mixture of assigned topics and student choice, and some teachers allow students to choose all discussion topics. The students are required to post to the forum a certain number of times for each section of the book. They are also required to respond to other threads. These posts are usually done as homework.
Teachers only hear about work other teachers assign if it is awesome or it is loathed. I have heard both about the forums. Several students have told me about the debates they are having over the literature and even checked with me about historical information relating to the story. Some students express shock at how insightful or combative a normally quiet student in class is on the forum. Other students do not like having to make nightly or weekly posts. Several others don’t like trying to respond to posts that are not of high quality in order to earn the grade they desire.
Many students think more insightfully about the literature because they are starting threads and thoughtfully responding to threads created by their peers. Some of these students may not have read the book but are inspired by the conversation. Other students flip through the book or Spark Notes to find something to write about. They do not engage in the book and the discussions do not interest them.
The students are given a grade for their participation on the forums. There is a rubric, but I have not seen it. From what I can gather, students are graded on the quality of their comments which include reference to the literature. They must complete a certain number of original posts and respond thoughtfully to a certain number of posts.
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