This module reminded me that online discussion isn’t a polite imitation of the classroom. It’s its own creature, slow and sprawling, built for reflection rather than rapid-fire theatrics. Asynchronous spaces demand structure, clear prompts, and an instructor who keeps the threads from metastasizing into chaos. Synchronous sessions, meanwhile, are best used sparingly and with small groups unless you enjoy watching fast typists bulldoze everyone else. I plan to apply this by designing discussion questions with tighter focus, building rubrics that reward genuine engagement rather than word count, and intervening early when avoidant or dependent learners start drifting toward silence. I’ll be more intentional about feedback—quick, direct, and calibrated to keep students from feeling like they’re writing into a void. Overall I’ll treat participation less like an incidental component and more like the spine of the course.
