Caffeine

toc =**Promote Thinking**= Adapted from [|http://www.emoderators.com/moderators/muilenburg.html]
 * **//Critical Thinking// ** - provide opportunities for learner to explore their experiences through reflection focused by careful designed prompts
 * **//Higher Order Thinking// ** - requiring students to use creativity, decision-making and problem-solving skills, generalizing applications and justifying those
 * **//Constructive Thinking// ** - provide opportunities for students to construct knowledge from their personal experience within the context of social interaction and collaboration
 * **//Connective (Distributed) Thinking//** - provide opportunities for students to process multiple perspectives, integrate personal experience and interpretations with others' perspectives, allowing them to experience the synergy of connected cognition

=Using Discussions=
 * As conversation starters
 * have students read and process information before classroom interactions
 * students are prepared for in-class discussions - resulting in better use of classroom interactions
 * To embellish a topic
 * expand the depth of information
 * outside of class - student discovery
 * in class - clarify issues (in class) that surfaced in the online discussions
 * individualize instruction
 * provide safe environment for shy and/or introverted students - many times they will blossom in the online environment
 * adapt to the needs, strengths, and weaknesses of students
 * For addressing sensitive, controversial, or personal issues
 * safe environment for topics that are difficult to discuss f2f
 * anonymous or pseudonym postings
 * To conclude a topic, lesson, or unit
 * wrap up learning
 * check for understanding