Summary

Online discussion tool to facilitate meaningful classroom or group discussions on prompts by the instructor

Details

Latest update:

Curious about how it works? Select your job role here and you will receive a personalized demo and how to start using Discussion on Topic.

What is Discussion on Topic?

The Discussion on Topic tool allows teachers to structure a meaningful online discussion and drive peer learning in the classroom on course topics.

Learn more? Click here for us to get in touch with you.

Why is Discussion on Topic useful for learning?

Discussion on Topic allows teachers to replicate a physical classroom and leverage the interactions in an online environment. Online discussions can help to teach students discussion and critical thinking skills. Organizing an open-ended discussion will also sharpen students’ thinking and argumentation.

How does Discussion on Topic tool work?

Students are asked to participate in the online discussion on the topic selected by the instructor and to review the input of peers. In a more open environment, students can comment and upvote on all input. Once there is enough activity, teachers participate and guide the discussion. A reflection moment is incorporated to increase a deeper understanding of students. Some of its features include:

• Discussion in groups
• Analytics on student participation
• Filters and sorting options
• Submitter and replied anonymity
• Reflection

Hear from your colleagues

"I really like the Discussion tool's ability to give students the freedom to view and discuss each other's work without the connotation of a summative assessment task." - Catherine Fraser (Teaching Scholar from Deakin University)

"I am using FeedbackFruits as I needed a platform that allows students to work together in a very easy way." - Peter Linde (Teacher from University of Utrecht)

Integration

All FeedbackFruits tools including Discussion on Topic can be fully integrated with Blackboard 9.1, Blackboard Learn and Blackboard Learn Ultra.

With the integration, you can:

• use FeedbackFruits with your Blackboard login only
• sync your Blackboard groups directly
• automatically send grades to the Blackboard grade book
• sync assignment deadlines with the Blackboard calendar

Security, Privacy and Accessibility

‍This service is offered with regular high standards to comply with Accessibility, Data privacy/security and FERPA regulations. All communication between the end user and our servers is encrypted using TLS with AES-256. All stored personal data is not accessible for third parties. Back-ups are made daily and are saved using AES-256 encryption. All data is secured according to the strict General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) as set by the European Union. We are also compliant with the internationally recognized accessibility standard WCAG. We cover versions WCAG 1 to WCAG 2.1, on Level A as well as Level AA.

A bit of background…

The Discussion on Topic tool is a result of a collaboration between partners from the Edtech Dotank, comprised of over 40 leading universities, such as MIT, TUDelft, Texas Tech University and HULT International Business School. All partners are united in their aim and dedication to accelerate the implementation of active, blended and online learning. The Dotank is facilitated by FeedbackFruits, as is the process of creating and distributing evidence-based learning activities and the digital means to support them.

More tools from the Edtech Dotank

In the Dotank we work with international universities that aim to speed up pedagogical innovation in higher education. Each of our tools are carefully designed by co-creating with instructors and students to support an ever-increasing number of learning activities.

Interactive Video | Interactive Document | Interactive Presentation | Comprehension | Peer Review | Group Member Evaluation | Assignment Review | Skill Review | Automated Feedback | Discussion on Work | Interactive Audio | Team Based Learning | Quiz | Self Assessment