The Importance of Online Conversations

One of the main differences between seated classes and online classes is face-to-face interaction. In a seated course, students and the instructor have the luxury of being able to discuss writing and related topics as a whole class, in groups, or one-on-one. Personally, I think talking about writing in any format that isn't face-to-face is rather difficult, especially if it’s about a particular paper or draft. When it comes to writing, I've always been very visual. I like to see comments on physical paper and make marks or comments on physical paper with someone else actually there with me. I also like sitting across from someone with the draft or paper between us. There seriously is nothing better than that! 

So one question I think is important is how can we make our online conversations and discussions as effective—if not more—as our face-to face interactions? Just because members of an online class are separated by the digital divide doesn't mean that the quality of conversations and discussions must suffer. Warnock even asserts that online conversations can be better than face-to-face conversations in the classroom (68). How exactly do these conversations occur, and what are the advantages, according to Warnock? Why are these conversations so significant? 

Message Boards

One commonly used platform for online conversations to unfold is through message boards. Message boards allow instructors (or students) to pose questions and prompts to the other members of the class as a jumping off point for a discussion to begin about a particular topic. In my experience, message boards have provided a great outlet for conversations to unravel. I have never been a teacher, but as a student, I think they are extremely effective. Since I am very visual, I like that you can see the progression of the conversation through posts, comments, and replies. This structure of message boards allows me to see exactly what turns the conversation takes and at what points.

In online classes, I feel like I have more control over when I do my school work because I get to choose when to do my work, most of the time. Message boards are very similar. They’re considered asynchronous forms of communication because they don’t require all users to be active at the same time (69). This is definitely a major advantage since students are able to participate at their convenience and with much more preparation time compared to face-to-face classrooms. Warnock sites this as a benefit because when students are able to respond at their leisure with more time to prepare and reflect, the quality of the discussion increases: Warnock states, “I find that the natural delay helps conversations on the boards achieve a level of sophistication beyond many, if not most, onsite class discussions” (70).

The Great Equalizer

Another great aspect of message boards is that they allow all students to participate. This is not always the case in seated classrooms. Warnock declares, “Some students might be shy about speaking their minds in a classroom conversation or even a fast-paced chat setting, where by the time you respond, the rest of the group is on to another topic” (70). Message boards situate students on an equal playing field, allowing each participant to dive in on any given aspect of the discussion at any given time. For example, a student may check the message board and find that he or she really doesn't have much to add at the current time, or the student may need more time to reflect on his or her thoughts about the status of the discussion. The student is then able to go back to the message board at a later time to add his or her input, contributing to the conversation and furthering it.

Write, Write, Write!

Last and certainly not least, message boards encourage students to write more often. We've all heard that to get better at anything, especially writing, you must practice, practice, practice. That’s exactly what message boards do. They provide a platform for students to exhibit their writing in an actual conversation. Warnock says, “By using message boards, I provide students with many low-stakes opportunities to write, helping them practice and refine their thinking through writing. And they use their writing to develop a point, building authority while speaking not just to me but to their peers” (72). Overall, I’ve found the more writing I am able to do in a class, the better. Message boards can help students sort out their thoughts and better understand concepts so that they can later apply them in more formal papers and other academic situations. 

Now, we've only discussed message boards here today. There are definitely other outlets for conversations to develop in an online class, such as Twitter and blogs. It seems to me that these conversations are so very important in the online classroom because they preserve the sanctity of human interaction and communication. When I've taken online classes, my biggest complaint has always been that I don’t always feel like anyone else is in the class with me, almost like I’m alone. Message boards alleviate this feeling, allowing other students to make their individual and unique voices heard through their own writing. For me, writing is nothing if I have no one else to talk about it with, and I don't mean I just want to talk about my own writing. Sure, some people think you should write for yourself. I agree with this statement. I just so happen to thrive off the conversations that develop as a result of the writing, whether it’s mine or that of someone else.

So, what do you think? Why are conversations in writing classes so important? What do we as students (and instructors/professionals) gain from talking about writing?

Does anyone have a preference of a particular medium for online conversations? Why or why not?

Work Cited

Warnock, Scott. Teaching Writing Online: How & Why. Urbana: National Council of Teachers of English, 2009. Print