See on Scoop.it – E-Learning and Online Teaching
Guidelines for effective online discussions
This resource will help you, as an instructor, consider many factors that contribute to a successful implementation of online discussion in your course.
Variation and incremental development
Not every suggestion provided in this resource will fit every situation. You’ll need to find what works best for your students in the context of your course; an iterative approach will likely be necessary in order to meet your learning goals. Variables like class size and personality, scheduling, and topic might require adjustments. A group with a sense of community established through in-class interaction might seamlessly continue discussions online, while another groups might require more attention.
Solid guidelines backed up with a good works consulted list from Chad Shorter at UW-Madison.
See on academictech.doit.wisc.edu
ELearning and Online Teaching Today 