- Explain techniques for discussion board communication
Writing Good Discussion Posts
It’s easy to treat discussion boards like just another assignment to get through. But the truth is, they’re not just about showing that you did the reading or answering a prompt—they’re a chance to think through real ideas, learn from your classmates, and share your own voice. A good post doesn’t have to be perfect or overly formal, but it should be thoughtful, clear, and open the door to conversation.
In the example below, you’ll read a student’s post about social media use in college. Then you’ll identify what works, what doesn’t, and how the post could be stronger, not just to get the points, but to create a better conversation.
Let’s take a look:
Discussion Prompt:
In what ways can social media be helpful or harmful to your success in college? How do you manage your digital presence?
Student Post:
Social media can be good or bad I think, depending on how you use it. Like it’s fun to scroll when you have free time or when you’re bored, but I’ve definitely gotten distracted before and ended up wasting a lot of time. I’ve also seen people post things that probably weren’t the best choices, like ranting about professors or posting pictures from parties. I try not to post that much so I don’t have to worry about it. I don’t really think about my “digital presence” that much, I just try to keep things private and not overshare.