The Use of Asynchronous Discussion: Creating a Text of Talk
Asynchronous discussion allows students to read and respond “out-of-time.” This form of online discussion, as experienced in a college literacy course, creates a text of talk that has the potential to be reflective given the freedom participants have in their response time. However, students often struggle with reflection. Instructors need to structure discussion online so that it becomes a forum for communication as well as critical thinking. They also need to view writing online as both process (discussion) and product (document to be assessed).
