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Developing critical thinking in the online environment can be done through a robust discussion board.  The instructor must be extremely active, ask probing questions, and provide students the opportunity to engage with not only the instructor but other students as well.  Instructors who are MIA on their discussion boards, and those who are not providing responses that generate an opportunity for further engagement are doing their students a disservice.  Instructors should also post on day one of any given week to provide opportunities for engagement throughout every week.

Students also need to be instructed in the art of self-reflection and applying what they have learned.  An educational experience that simply encourages memorization and checking a task box is not going to develop these sought-after skills.  Open ended questions and assignments which require students to engage in the application of the lessons are essential especially in the online environment where the interaction is not as robust as an on-campus course.

Instructors who can discover topics and trends which are of interest to their various students can bring out that excitement and it will present itself on the discussion board.  A casual observation of a weekly discussion board can be an easy to read sign if active learning and engagement is occurring.  Playing ‘devils advocate’ is a good method which can stimulate discussion between students and offer differing viewpoints.

 

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