Involve students in discussion boards with roles

One way to get students involved in online group discussions is to assign a role to each participant (or have them select their own role). Here are some possible roles (not all roles are necessary all of the time):

• Facilitator Moderates group's discussion, keeping them focused on the task (topic) and ensuring that all members participate.
• Recorder/Reporter/Summarizer Keeps notes of discussion and creates a written summary of the group's discussion to share in a forum open to all. Alternatively, for non-online courses, reports orally to the class. Responsible for any written assignment submissions.
• Cheerleader/Energizer Encourages participation of other group members through positive reactions to postings. Encourages non-posters to participate through direct interaction with them.
• Initiator Responsible for the first post in each discussion assignment.
• Posters and Lurkers In larger groups, divide students into two groups for each assignment. One week they participate; one week they "watch and listen" (aka lurking).
• Responder Does not intiate responses to the discussion question but responds to others' posts, questioning and pushing them further in their thinking.
• Timekeeper Monitors time/deadlines and moves group along so that they complete the task in the available time.
• Checker Makes sure that all group members understand the concepts and the group's conclusions.
• Elaborator Relates the discussion with prior concepts and knowledge.
• Research-Runner Finds additional material as needed. Is the liaison between the group and the instructor.
• Skeptic Helps the group avoid coming to agreement too quickly, making sure all possibilites and alternatives are explored. Devil's advocate.