There are many models of having students interact in online classrooms. Each has its own unique characteristics and purposes These models include:
Discussion Boards: These are the most common tools for online interaction, primarily using text. Students create “posts” and respond to others’ posts, creating a “thread” of discussion. While discussion boards can be a familiar and easy way to share ideas, the focus of the conversation can diverge from the original topic as students respond to each other.
Blogs: Similar to discussion boards in that they are largely text-based, blogs differ in the relative length and focus of contributions. Blogs can be used for students to post reactions to course materials, with others commenting on the posts6. When used this way, comments tend to focus on the original post more than in discussion boards, where the conversation can diverge. Blogs can also be used as a space for students to record their work and reflections over the duration of a course. Comments on blogs tend to be more detailed than replies to discussion posts.
Wikis: Unlike discussion boards and blogs where individual posts and responses are separate items, wikis are a single file that is authored by a group. Any group member can edit and change existing content. While the author and time of edits are not displayed, instructors can access a version history to see how the document has evolved and assess individual contributions.
Chat: This is a synchronous form of text-based interaction. Participants log into a chat room and post comments, which everyone in the room can see. Typically, a leader guides the discussion to maintain focus. Chat transcripts can be saved for later review.
Video Conferencing: This is a synchronous interaction using full video to provide real-time communication. Users can see and hear each other while they communicate. Most video conferencing systems allow multiple users to join in a call, and meetings can often be recorded.
Instructors are encouraged to use a variety of tools to frame student interaction, as novelty is associated with attention. When choosing a method for online interaction, it is important to consider the differences between in-person and online interaction. Online interaction tends to be asynchronous, and discussions may veer off-topic, requiring careful planning and prompting by the instructor