Reflective Essay: Online Discussion Experience - Course Reflection

This reflective essay details a student's experience with online discussion boards in a higher education course. The student reflects on the positive aspects, such as the development of communication skills, anonymity fostering honest discussions, and the opportunity to learn from peers, highlighting the value of asynchronous interaction and diverse perspectives. The essay also acknowledges the negative aspects, including the potential for ego-driven conflicts and off-topic discussions. The student analyzes their own contributions, recognizing instances of abruptness and insensitivity, and identifies areas for improvement in future online interactions, such as being more considerate and objective. The essay references relevant literature supporting the benefits of online discussion forums for critical thinking and collaborative learning.

Running Head: Reflective Essay 1
Reflective Essay
Name
Date

Running Head: Reflective Essay 2
In the course of this unit study, I have had opportunity to interact with other students online
through the discussion board where I would make comments on what other people had done, post
my own ideas and receive feedback, even criticism. Apart from receiving feedback, I also gave
other students feedback on what they wrote and what they learned in the course. The discussions
were largely useful, and it has been an equally god experience as it has helped me appreciate that
different people have different viewpoints and provided me with different perspectives on
interacting and sharing. Discussion boards help scaffold student interaction with one another and
with course content in ways that enhance the ability to think critically, research, and interact
asynchronously and in a reflective way (Rocco, 2010), (Hulsizer & Woolf, 2009). I had thought it
would be unproductive or counterproductive to my learning as I looked at it as just another platform
for chatting given my prior beliefs that real learning involves attending class or studying privately.
It was a very good experience because it provided a certain level of anonymity that removed
inhibitions and enabled me engage in very honest and frank discussions, without caring if my
comments or remarks would hurt someone another party. It was quite a unique experience, given
that I could interact with other students virtually at any time of the day (or night). It helped me
develop a deeper understanding of others, without the hindrance of personal prejudice that occurs
during face to face discussions and I feel I have developed a better way of appreciating people’s
thoughts purely on the merit of their thoughts and opinions, in a way improving my perceptiveness
and ability to analyze other people’s thoughts impersonally. However, the experience had a darker
side in that sometimes people lost focus and engaged in ego contests, with some discussions getting
personal and out of the context of the discussion; in some cases, comments were not worded well
and sparked exchanges that were not particularly pleasant.
Online discussion forums can easily deviate from course and result in unpleasant exchanges
especially when one party feels their ego has been trampled (Johnson, 2010). Overall, the
undesirable situations aside, I feel it was truly a worthwhile experience that helped me improve my
communication skills without fear or shyness and helped extend learning out of the classroom. I
was able to informally practice my writing skills and learn from my peers in a relaxed manner and
fostered a very useful learning community. Online discussion forums help people learn informally
from their peers (Hillen, 2014). Sometimes I made comments and responded to comments abruptly
and without objectivity, sometimes even becoming overly harsh and insensitive. I could have been
considered what I am writing first before posting, including checking my spelling and sentence
structure as well as reflected on my thoughts critically before posting because its failure to do such
things that led to the discussions getting out of hand. In the next opportunity, I will be more
democratic, more considerate, and look at it as a real learning opportunity from my peers

Running Head: Reflective Essay 3
References
Hillen, S. (2014). The role of discussion boards in e-collaborative learning environments (CSCL) –
What kind of support can they provide? - A conceptual discussion and a qualitative case
study. Nordic Journal of Digital Literacy, 02, Vol 9.
Hulsizer, M. R., & Woolf, L. M. (2009). A guide to teaching statistics: Innovations and best
practices. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Johnson, M. (2017). Anonymity in online discussion forums – does it pro mote connections?.
ORCA. Retrieved 7 October 2017, from http://orca-mwe.cf.ac.uk/60230/1/Johnson.pdf
Rocco, S. (July 01, 2010). Making reflection public: using interactive online discussion board to
enhance student learning. Reflective Practice, 11, 3, 307-317.