Trash > Getting the Most Out of Online Discussions

Baseline rules

  • Treat each other with respect. While we encourage you to debate and disagree, we will not tolerate "flaming" (personal attacks) or other anti-social behavior. We strive to provide you with a space where you will feel safe to experiment with new ideas.
  • Our discussions here are confidential. We expect you not to share anything you have learned here about each other with people outside this group unless you are given specific permission.
  • However, our discussions here are not privileged. Do not disclose confidential information about your clients. You may share generic information about a situation or client, but nothing that may be identifying or compromising of lawyer-client privilege.
  • To "complete" an online discussion, you must post at least one response to the question and at least two responses to other participants' responses. Of course, we encourage you to post as often as you are able.

Asynchronous Discussions

What's an "asynchronous discussion?"

Unlike face-to-face meetings or phone calls, asynchronous discussions do not involve all participants at the same time, Instead (like email), participants may chime in minutes, hours, or even days after a previous statement. (We call it posting to the message board).

The asynchronous quality of our discussion boards may feel somewhat strange at first, but they also offer certain advantages: you have more time to think through your contributions, and you might also feel more free to share more personal information. At the same time, you shouldn't feel pressure to post a "perfect" response to our questions or each others' posts -- no one is judging or grading you for eloquence.

We believe strongly that each of you has much to teach and learn from each other. One venue we provide for you to do so is our online discussion boards. Some of you may be new to the concept of online, asynchronous discussions. Here are some tips for getting the most out of them:

  1. As in any discussion, be thoughtful and honest. We can only learn from each other when we are all fully engaged in the course content and each other.
  2. Post early, post often. Online discussions work best when participants engage in a certain back-and-forth. Don't wait until the last minute to post, because that deprives other participants of the chance to read your thoughts, and for you to get feedback on them.
  3. Engage with each other. We ask that you reply to at least two other participants' posts in each of our discussions. When doing so, don't just use it as an opportunity to expound on your own ideas. Instead, synthesize or analyze their points. Quote the other participant, when possible.
  4. Use each others' names. For example:
    • "Gene, when you write... do you mean to say...?"
    • "Gene, you wrote... This reminds of something Shari said earlier...
  5. Text-only media like our discussion boards have a tendancy of making you sound more certain and argumentative than you perhaps intend. Veterans of online discussions often couch statements as questions or with a certain amount of openness, e.g.:
    • "In my opinion..."
    • "My understanding is..."
    • "If I understand you correctly..."
  6. Don't be afraid to share personal thoughts or feelings here. Our online discussion boards are also spaces where we get to know each other better.