This is the first in a series of posts where I will detail tools that replace functions of a learning management system. Today's subject: Discussion boards.
Discussion boards are nothing new. It's age is a double-edged sword. Because they've been around for a while, they have a high rate of adoption into the (virtual) classroom. Also every LMS has the option to have one. The down side is that the nature of posts tends to bury the answers and conclusions the participants come to deep within a thread.
So, what if you just want a discussion board and nothing else? Here are some options:
Proboards.com
Proboards are ad supported but if you don't mind a couple of ads the setup is quick and painless.
Freeboards.net
Freeboards.net has no ads but was acting really slow the day I tried to use it.
PHPBB
If you can setup a webserver then you can put up your own PHPBB. But make sure you keep up with the security updates.
Or you can pay for hosting with:
Boardhost.com
What discussion boards have users had success using?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteNice list. I like the idea of using a non-LMS discussion board- I just don't know how practical it is. Most LMS discussion boards have limitations and can be confusing- but that could be said for almost any discussion board. At least it is integrated easily into a course. I like the idea of pointing students to content specific discussions that already have a community behind them.
ReplyDelete