TiLTing the Discussion Board: Rethinking the Purpose of Online Discussion in an Online GE Writing Course

Authors

  • Ruth Smith The Ohio State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v29i4.3903

Keywords:

Discussion, TILT, General Education, Transparency in Teaching and Learning, Discussion Boards, Instructional Redesign, Asynchronous, Asynchronous Communication, Action Research

Abstract

In 2021, I completed an instructional redesign of an online section of a general education (GE) course titled “Criticizing Television.” The redesign focused on utilizing Transparency in Learning and Teaching (TiLT) to create more meaningful engagement and deeper learning opportunities through discussion boards. Using the action research cycle of look, think, and act, this paper documents the redesign process and analyzes the Instructional Redesign assessment data to explore evidence-based practices for supporting meaningful inquiry and student engagement in online undergraduate general education course using TiLT. Strategies to support meaningful inquiry among students engaged in asynchronous online discussions using TiLT are offered.

Author Biography

Ruth Smith, The Ohio State University

Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy

Assistant Professor of Teaching

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Published

2025-12-01

How to Cite

Smith, R. (2025). TiLTing the Discussion Board: Rethinking the Purpose of Online Discussion in an Online GE Writing Course. Online Learning, 29(4), 517–534. https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v29i4.3903