Got quality replies?

In an online course, discussion boards take the place of face-to-face student dialogue. Quality feedback helps you:

• Through dialogue about the course, you will get know your classmates.
• Discussion boards allow you the time for thoughtful, in-depth reflection on our weekly topics. Much like traditional writing exercises, you will have time to think about, research, and compose your thoughts before contributing to the discussion.
• You will also be able to develop the real world skill of reviewing and responding to the work of oth­ers.
• One of your final exam activities includes a discussion board so developing your ability to dialogue online with others is non-negotiable for our course.
  

Discussion boards are usually a favorite of students because they learn how other students see the content and how it applies to their lives. Replies to classmates should show your understanding of what your classmate said and then offer affirmation and/or advice related to the week's content and your life experience. Back up your ideas in your replies the same way you would back up your ideas in your assignments -- state evidence and explain it.

Avoid replies that do not offer specific feedback to your classmates:

• "I like..."
• "I totally agree with you..."
• "Great job..."
• "Nice format..."

Avoid rude and ugly replies to your classmates that tear down instead of building up:

• "This is not what the assignment was asking for. I don't know who your leader was, what they did, and I don't know what they faced. I wish you could see that everyone else wrote something meaningful but you didn't and that is why I don't like this post. Sorry but you need to try harder."
  
• "I still don't fully understand what you goals are. You really didn't do a good job of describing them well. If you can't describe them I don' think you can do it."

Offer your classmates specific feedback. Elaborate on why you believe something by providing examples and explanations of what you related to in the response.

• "I agree that a group of confident people will always support each other and work to reach a goal. Only when everyone is confident in themselves can they help and praise each other. It's so cool that you play on that team with top baseball players. Awesome job on winning those games! Keep up the good work with your team, Andy!"
  
• "Sam, I really enjoyed watching your video - you were very clear about what you want to be. I agree with you when you say "In order to be a therapist I have to be really responsible and take control of and responsibility for my actions." I think that this relates to life in general and not just your career. As leaders, we have to remember that everyone is watching us and if we do not take responsibility, we let them down."
  
• "Ammad, I really like your example because a lot of people can relate to what your family went through just to have the "American Dream." Many immigrants come to America because they know that America is the best place for their children to get their education, and the parents can get jobs to help them provide for their families. You and your parents faced a lot of challenges but the good thing is that you faced them head on and didn't hide from them."
  

Offer your classmates directive feedback that they can apply to their leadership journeys.

• "Sandy, I like how honest you were about your negative habit. I also suffer from procrastination and would rather be doing anything else than my work. Something that you could do though to get over procrastination is using Responsibility. You can tell yourself that even if you want to do something fun, you have to get your work done first. Try taking away all your distractions like your phone. It would be the responsible and right thing to do if you want to get rid of your procrastination."
  
• "Good work, Tyson! A good way to overcome your procrastination habit would be to reflect on times when you have and haven't procrastinated. Use reflection. Ask yourself how it felt to get your work done early when you didn't procrastinate and compare that to the feeling you get when you procrastinate on an assignment. This will help you stop procrastinating and get your work done first."
• "I definitely agree with you, Amanda!! I have problems with getting work done and finished when my phone is even within my eyesight. The biggest "R" that pops into my head while reading your response is RESPONSIBILITY. We, as young, maturing adults have to learn that we are responsible for our own actions. The moment we decide to pick up that phone, we are responsible for the consequences following it, such not completing homework or classwork assignments. We have to separate WHAT WE WANT TO DO from WHAT WE NEED TO DO. "
  

Make sure to remain positive and offer suggestions to help your classmates expand their thinking.

• "Your view of a leader is very similar to how I see one as well, Jacob. I believe that a leader cares about their followers and helps them to become the best they can be. I also lack self-confidence and that can be a big obstacle when I am leading. From what I see though, you are a great person that obviously cares about others. So I know that you are going to inspire and succeed as an amazing leader."
  
• "Your lack of self-reflection and worry over your own character is actually a valuable part of you since you can observe you have flaws and wonder how you can overcome them. You're absolutely right - people these days really do need a good role model as a leader. They need someone they can aspire to be one day. So when kids say they wanna be "President Roberson" or "Firefighter Jones" (or something) when they grow up, their mothers and fathers will smile rather than sadly shake their heads with silence. The world needs a good Gary (YOU) as a leader."
• "Isabel, the idea of mutual respect is absolutely true in leadership, and it's often led to a high quality of effectiveness when in armies. Think not about your age, think of student leaders who people look up to because they can achieve such great things at such a young age. I find it admirable that you continue to pursue your dreams even though you have faced many challenges but most importantly that you try to help others fix those problems for themselves."

  
  

  
  

  
  

My name is Melissa Ray and I have been teaching high school students since 1998. I graduated from Meredith College with a double major in American History and Political Studies and received my National Board Certification in 2006. I taught high school social studies classes including US History, World History, and Psychology in both Nash-Rocky Mount and Wake County schools. I have been teaching Leadership Development for NCVPS since 2010.

Email: melissa.ray@ncpublicschools.gov
Location: Wendell, NC, United States
Phone: 9194352008