All online programmes at the University of Liverpool are designed with collaboration, shared learning, and networking in mind. Discussion forums are a core part of the online learning experience, helping to enrich the study experience and to promote interaction with peers. In this blog post, we dive into discussion forums and outline how they provide an excellent opportunity for students to interact with each other, the learning content, and their tutor.
How do discussion forums work on the online programmes?
Your fellow students will bring their own understanding, knowledge and perspectives to your postgraduate course, which makes learning alongside and from your peers an important part of the online educational experience. Building on this, and to help foster a community of learning and engagement, discussion forums feature in all the University of Liverpool online programmes.
These forums are a way to share ideas and independent research with your cohort without having to meet in real time. Some forums will form part of your final mark, and some are just for putting your thoughts together so faculty or other students can respond. Discussion forums give you time to think carefully about the topics and a place to test your understanding of the material.
What benefits do discussion forums have for students?
Discussion forums have several benefits, including giving you the opportunity to think before you speak (or write) allowing you to engage with the discussion topic and reflect on what you want to say. You are also able to see the thoughts and responses of all your fellow students, something which is not easy to accomplish in a classroom setting with group dynamics and time constraints.
Discussion forums promote active learning and are a great medium for challenging your current perspective on subject areas, theories, and concepts. With an international community in every cohort, discussion forums are a great way to share knowledge and experiences from participants around the world. An open mind will allow you to gain a valuable global perspective from peers.
You can also use the discussion forums as a platform to deepen your subject knowledge and sharpen the skills required to meet your career aspirations. These include core areas such as research, critical evaluation, referencing, and academic writing skills.
How do students get the most out of discussions?
- Be clear on the topic
Before you start posting in the discussion forum you should be researching the discussion topic, utilising materials within the online module and learning platform, such as the e-library, as well as external sources. If you don’t understand the question, your tutor is always available to provide clarification and further guidance.
- Write with purpose
You won’t have many words to present your argument or demonstrate your research, so direct writing, supported by relevant academic literature and careful citation of sources, is central to a successful discussion post. Students are encouraged to run a quick spelling and grammar check before publishing and to maintain a professional tone during all interactions.
- Keep the discussion moving
Although online students are often posting from a variety of time zones, you should try your best to make a conversation flow by checking the forums regularly. By logging in regularly and responding to other students’ posts quickly you’ll make it easier to follow the thread of a discussion while also giving yourself plenty of time to meet any requirements around the number of posts you might be expected to make.
In what other ways do students interact with each other?
You will interact using features of the virtual learning environment (VLE), available to access at any time and built with community in mind. Learn how the platform facilitates and supports your studies in this online video. Further opportunities to build connections throughout and after your studies include:
- Collaborative group projects
- Virtual social events
- In-person graduation ceremony
- Extensive alumni network
The facilities provided for online studies – such as the availability of resources and study materials, e-library, student support and discussion forums, along with global connections – rendered my idea of studying at the University of Liverpool a thrilling and enriching one.
Munpreet Doorgah – Artificial Intelligence MSc
Why study online with Liverpool?
We understand that many of our students live fast-paced lives and have competing responsibilities. Our programmes are delivered fully online, and you won’t be restricted by time zones and location. There are many reasons why an online degree with the University of Liverpool can help boost your career opportunities:
- Graduate from a prestigious Russell Group university
- Study from anywhere, alongside your professional commitments
- Expand your global horizons and join an international community
- Access our state-of-the-art comprehensive learning platform
- Two decades of experience and over 20,000 online graduates
- Study and pastoral support from a dedicated Student Services team
Find out more about how you will learn on the ‘discover more’ section of our website. Alternatively, contact our friendly Admissions Team to learn how the University of Liverpool can help you achieve your ambitions.
