Successful Design and Management of Asynchronous Discussion Forums in Online Higher Education

Abstract

This chapter focuses on asynchronous discussion forums in online higher education. Drawing on recent research and her experience as the program coordinator of an online Master of Education and developer and instructor of online courses, the author of this chapter identifies and explains some principles for the successful design and management of asynchronous discussion forums, such as the relevance of the course topics, flexible, accountable, active, collaborative, and focused learning and the ideal role of the online instructor. The author also proposes a framework for the effective organization of learning modules in asynchronous online courses.