Combining Multiple Innovations to Foster Forum Reflection

Abstract

This chapter is a case study showing how multiple innovations such as macro-chunking, forum silence, role-play, and an advance organizer describing mental models worked together to engender deep reflection and meaningful dialogue in an online graduate worldview course. It uses the community of inquiry framework to help define the purpose of the discussion forum to construct personal meaning and confirm mutual understanding. Specific pedagogical designs for facilitating deep learning are shared. These designs provide innovative alternatives to readers creating online courses. Quotes from the final discussion forum show how multiple innovations together created a powerful learning environment.