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Online Discussion Groups: Advantages and Disadvantages
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discussion_group
discusses ‘discussion group’ as “a group of
individuals with similar interest who gather either formally or informally to
bring up ideas, solve problems or give comments. The major approaches are in person, via conference call or website or online messaging. People respond comments and post forum in
established mailing list, news group or IRC. Other group members could choose to respond by posting text or image.” Google, Whatsapp Facebook group etc are the examples
of ‘discussion
groups’ https://busyteacher.org/22680-virtual-debate-online-discussions-7-advantages.html
discusses the advantages
of online discussions. These are:
·
Convenience: Online discussions generally can be set for a time
convenient for everyone
· More Focused: Because
of the convenience, student, again, are less distracted, tired, and stressed.
· More in Depth: More
focus leads naturally to more depth.
· More Introverted Students
Participate More: The research shows that introverted students may actually perform better in online discussions
because they are allowed more time needed to reflect on comments than is
allowed in face-to-face communications.
· More Diverse Perspectives: The online chats with students from different socio-economic
and cultural background provide more diversified perspectives.
In all, the online
discussion (service) brings enjoyment as we can share ideas, save records, and find
an answer to our questions. The use of online discussion for academic purposes
can develop participants' cognitive, critical thinking, and analytical skills. However,
the online discussions require planning if they are to be successful.
Online discussions advantages and disadvantages are discussed by
Ali Press, available from
http://teachingandlearning.westminster.ac.uk/2014/10/online-discussions-advantages-disadvantages/
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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Students
can participate at a time and place that suits them.
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Those
with poor writing skills are disadvantaged.
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The
act of typing forces students to take time and contribute more developed
ideas.
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Lack
of facial cues can lead to misunderstanding.
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Can
reduce the amount of time the teacher has to give to telephone and
face-to-face meetings and time in the office.
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Discussions
can go off topic.
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Shy
students get more of a chance to have a say.
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Some
students tend to too readily agree with others or paraphrase others’
contributions.
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Encourages
reflection and deeper thinking.
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Students
can tend to respond to topics in an overall fashion rather than in detailed
specifics.
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Foreign
students have more time to compose their thoughts.
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Students
lose motivation to participate unless they perceive ‘value’ in the
discussion.
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Peer-peer
learning encouraged.
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Requires
consistent input from teacher.
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Answers
are seen by all.
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Lag
between posts can make following a discussion difficult.
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Forms
a basis for creating FAQs.
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Technical
problems (server crashes, network down time, etc).
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Expert
thinking about a topic can be modeled and learnt.
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Lack
of access to computer or network handicaps some students.
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Encourages
big picture thinking.
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Reading
and thinking overload.
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Effective
and efficient means to make whole class communication.
Builds
a learning community.
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Needs
to be moderated and monitored for inappropriate postings.
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References:
