This webinar is part of the OLC Accelerate Best-in-Track webinar series!
Discussion boards have so much potential for creating meaningful engagement in online learning, but too often, they fall flat. They’re repetitive, surface-level, and feel more like a box to check than an opportunity for meaningful growth and real interaction.
This webinar will examine why discussion boards often miss the mark and, more importantly, how to make them better. We will explore common pitfalls as well as practical strategies and examples for designing reimagined discussion activities. We will showcase some of the examples and templates created during the workshop at the OLC Accelerate conference.
By the end of the webinar, you’ll walk away with practical examples and a fresh inspiration for designing discussion boards that are engaging and valuable for both students and instructors.
Intended Audience:
This webinar is perfect for educators, instructional designers, and administrators who want to make discussion boards a more engaging and meaningful part of online learning.
Key Takeaways:
- Rethink the purpose of discussion boards by identifying common design issues that limit participation and learning
- Consider how small design changes can improve the quality of student interaction
- Explore practical and creative strategies to facilitate engagement and dialogue
- Walk away with new discussion board activities
Please Note: While attending the webinar live is free for OLC members and non-members, on-demand recordings will be available post-webinar for Professional and Institutional Members only. Consider becoming an OLC member for access to these and many other great benefits!
Speaker Bio
Sean Nufer
Senior Director of Teaching and Learning – TCS Education System
Dr. Sean Nufer is an innovative educator with a passion for integrating technology into learning environments to enhance student engagement and success. Overseeing his institution’s office of teaching and learning, Sean specializes in designing and implementing professional development opportunities for faculty and course designers. With a background in business psychology and extensive experience in public speaking and teaching, Sean excels at making complex concepts accessible and engaging. His recent work emphasizes the use of generative AI and advanced pedagogical frameworks, such as UDL and SAMR, to create dynamic, inclusive educational experiences.
Veronica Estrada
Human Development Professor – Pacific Oaks College
Dr. Veronica Estrada is a college professor with over 15 years of teaching experience in leadership, counseling, human development, and psychology. Currently, Dr. Estrada has been presenting globally on Generative AI integration in course development and assignment design. She is currently a professor at Pacific Oaks College, where she helps students develop their academic and professional skills, and an adjunct professor at Pasadena City College, Citrus College, and Glendale Community College, where she teaches psychology courses.
Mark Labbett
Senior Instructional Designer – TCS Education System
Bio coming soon
Ruben Cortez
Professor – Pacific Oaks College
Dr. Cortez is an educator with over 25 years of experience as a secondary teacher, an administrator, then transitioned to training, consulting, and coaching prior to joining Pacific Oaks College as a Core Faculty member. Dr. Cortez is recognized for his work in ensuring school cultures that encourage continuous improvement and a desire for lifelong learning in both teachers and students, with a focus on students from diverse and historically underrepresented backgrounds.