Skip to main content
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals
Menu

Main navigation redesign

  • Programs
    • Bachelor's Programs
      • Nursing
        • Bachelor Of Science in Nursing (BSN)
        • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online
        • RN to BSN Option
      • BSN Campus Locations
        • Phoenix, AZ
        • Irwindale, CA
        • Sacramento, CA
        • Jacksonville, FL
        • Miramar, FL
        • Atlanta, GA
        • Addison, IL
        • Chicago, IL
        • Tinley Park, IL
        • Indianapolis, IN
        • New Orleans, LA
        • Troy, MI
        • St. Louis, MO
        • Las Vegas, NV
        • Charlotte, NC
        • North Brunswick, NJ
        • Cleveland, OH
        • Columbus, OH
        • Houston, TX
        • Irving, TX
        • Pearland, TX
        • San Antonio, TX
        • Tysons Corner, VA
    • Master’s Programs
      • Nursing
        • Master Of Science in Nursing (MSN)
        • Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
        • Family Nurse Practitioner
        • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
        • Graduate Certificates
        • RN to MSN Options
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Master of Public Health
        • Master of Physician Assistant
        • Master of Social Work
    • Doctorate Programs
      • Nursing
        • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • Certificates
      • Nursing
        • Nursing Certificates
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Public Health Certificate
  • Admission
    • Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • Academic Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
    • Become a Student
      • Military Information
      • Transfer Students
  • Financial Aid
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
      • Tuition and Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Aid Forms
      • Partnerships
    • Scholarships and Grants
      • Scholarships
      • Grants
      • Work Study
      • Loans
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
  • Why Chamberlain
    • Our Story
      • History
      • Our Vision
      • Chamberlain Care
      • Diversity and Inclusion
    • About Chamberlain
      • Leadership and Faculty
      • Campus Locations
      • Newsroom
      • Blog
      • Accreditation
      • Student Consumer Information
      • Alumni

Mobile Secondary Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Mobile Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Prospective Students
  • Transfers
  • Military
  • Alumni
  • Partners
  • Employers

Top Utility Navigation

  • Current Students
  • Information For
    • Current Students
    • Prospective Students
    • Transfers
    • Military
    • Alumni
    • Partners
    • Employers
  • Chat
  • 877.751.5783
Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Main navigation redesign

  • Programs
    • Bachelor's Programs
      • Nursing
        • Bachelor Of Science in Nursing (BSN)
        • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online
        • RN to BSN Option
      • BSN Campus Locations
        • Phoenix, AZ
        • Irwindale, CA
        • Sacramento, CA
        • Jacksonville, FL
        • Miramar, FL
        • Atlanta, GA
        • Addison, IL
        • Chicago, IL
        • Tinley Park, IL
        • Indianapolis, IN
        • New Orleans, LA
        • Troy, MI
        • St. Louis, MO
        • Las Vegas, NV
        • Charlotte, NC
        • North Brunswick, NJ
        • Cleveland, OH
        • Columbus, OH
        • Houston, TX
        • Irving, TX
        • Pearland, TX
        • San Antonio, TX
        • Tysons Corner, VA
    • Master’s Programs
      • Nursing
        • Master Of Science in Nursing (MSN)
        • Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
        • Family Nurse Practitioner
        • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
        • Graduate Certificates
        • RN to MSN Options
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Master of Public Health
        • Master of Physician Assistant
        • Master of Social Work
    • Doctorate Programs
      • Nursing
        • Doctor of Nursing Practice
    • Certificates
      • Nursing
        • Nursing Certificates
      • Healthcare Professions
        • Public Health Certificate
  • Admission

    Admission

    Our team is with you every step of the way, providing the information you need to make the decisions that best serve you.

    • Resources
      • Academic Calendar
      • Academic Catalog
      • Curriculum Plans
    • Become a Student
      • Military Information
      • Transfer Students
    smiling doctor with a young child
    Find My Program

    Find the path to your healthcare career goal.

  • Financial Aid

    Financial Aid

    Get support as you navigate paying for your education. Request information to connect with our admission team to discuss your financial options.

    • Tuition & Financial Aid
      • Tuition and Expenses
      • Types of Financial Assistance
      • Financial Aid Forms
      • Partnerships
    • Scholarships and Grants
      • Scholarships
      • Grants
      • Work Study
      • Loans
      • Educational Healthcare Partners
    smiling doctor with a young child
    Find My Program

    Find the path to your healthcare career goal.

  • Why Chamberlain

    Why Chamberlain

    Chamberlain University has a 130-year history preparing extraordinary nursing graduates and healthcare professionals. 

    • Our Story
      • History
      • Our Vision
      • Chamberlain Care
      • Diversity and Inclusion
    • About Chamberlain
      • Leadership and Faculty
      • Campus Locations
      • Newsroom
      • Blog
      • Accreditation
      • Student Consumer Information
      • Alumni
    smiling doctor with a young child
    Find My Program

    Find the path to your healthcare career goal.

Secondary Header Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Featured

Man in blue sweater sitting
Breaking Barriers in Social Work:…
Social worker standing in bright office with green plants by the windows
Qualities of a Great Social Worker
social worker speaking to a child
10 Reasons to Be Proud You're a…

Tags

Browse articles by category
Alumni
Campus News
Careers
Health Professions
Nursing Today
Tips for Students

Share

Blog Social Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • Home / Blog / Home / 11 Tips on Becoming a Better Discussion Board Poster

11 Tips on Becoming a Better Discussion Board Poster

March 30, 2015 by Julie McAfooes
Tips for posting

Discussion boards are a common feature of many online courses. They are often the backbone of online classes, letting you communicate with your peers and teachers when it’s most convenient for you. As such, it’s important for you to deliver your best effort with each post. The following tips can help you improve your posts to online discussion boards.

  1. Uncover the purpose. Consider why your teacher chose to discuss this particular topic. For example, don’t post facts and figures if the purpose of the discussion is to post your personal reflections on the topic. Be sure that your postings meet the requirements.
  2. Be prepared. If the discussion board contains questions that are meant to evaluate how well you understand your other readings or assignments, complete those activities first. Your teacher will know if you haven’t completed your assignment because your answers may be vague or run counter to your readings.
  3. Eliminate errors. The writing in posts may not be judged as critically as a formal paper, but your teacher will expect your messages to be free mistakes such as spelling or grammatical errors. Determine if your discussion board has spell checking features. If not, consider typing your message in a word processing program first, and scan for errors in spelling or grammar before posting.
  4. Know the score. Find out how your participation in the discussion board will be evaluated. You may be given points based on the quantity of your postings, or the teacher will judge the quality of your comments. Carefully read any criteria that your teacher has shared and ask for feedback on how you are doing if you have concerns that you are not meeting the standards.
  5. Avoid overexposure. You may be tempted to share aspects of your personal life through the discussion board. This can be a good strategy when communicating your opinions and experiences as they relate to the topic. However, the sense of anonymity that comes from posting to a faceless crowd can sometimes lead to making comments that are may be too personal. You may want to consider typing your comments offline, allowing time to pass, and editing them before submitting.
  6. Back it up. Your teacher may require or reward you for posting comments that contain references from respected sources that back up your statements. Give proper citations that enable peers and teachers to locate your references.
  7. Make a date. Select times each week when you will commit to participating in discussion forums and reserve those times on your calendar. This is particularly important if you are engaged in several discussions and you have deadlines for making posts. Don’t lose track of them.
  8. Avoid piling on. Many teachers look at the quantity and quality of postings when determining your grade. If you simply type, “Me, too!” in response to someone else’s message, your teacher may give you a lower grade than if you presented a new idea, or offered a counter argument. Your posts should add value to the discussion, not just echo it.
  9. Keep on topic. Most discussions have a theme or “thread.” Follow the thread to keep your comments relevant to those previously posted. If you are allowed to do so, start your own thread to explore related areas of interest.
  10. Model your peers. Look to your peers and teachers as role models for ways to interact successfully in online situations. Consider how they use words to get their points across, but still maintain respect for others. Peer modeling can be instructive.
  11. Find the features. Your discussion board may offer special features that can aid you when posting. For example, you may be able to find all of the messages that you haven’t read yet. Or, you may be able to see where others have replied to your posts. Become familiar with these aids to help you manage your communication.

Posting to discussion boards is one way in which you can express what you know and share how you feel. Try out two or three of these tips at first, and add more as you become an experienced poster.

By Julie McAfooes

More from Home

View all >
girl holding resume
5 Tips for Writing a Nursing Resume
Read more
travel nurse poses in front of new york city skyline
Chamberlain Grad is Travel Nursing on the Front Lines of…
Read more
headshot of Sandy Pratt
Family of Front Line COVID-19 Nurses “Zoom” in to Stay…
Read more
nurses on boards coalition partnership
Chamberlain Supports the Nurses on Boards Coalition through…
Read more
Show more >

Request More Information

To receive the Chamberlain University Program Guide, including associated career paths, please select a program of study.

Chamberlain University, College of Nursing and Health Professionals

Secondary Footer Navigation

  • Apply
  • Request More Info
  • Request More Info
  • Call
  • Apply
  • Request Info
  • Request Info

Student Portal Login

Main Campus
Addison Campus
1221 North Swift Road
Addison, IL 60101 

National Management Offices
500 W. Monroe St, Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60661

All Campus Locations
Contact

Footer Menu Column 1

  • Online Programs
  • Master of Physician Assistant Studies
  • Alumni Association
  • Chamberlain Marketplace
  • Military
  • Leadership
  • Catalog & Viewbook

Footer Menu Column 2

  • Student Portal
  • Student Consumer Info
  • Accreditation
  • Parent Organization
  • CA Performance Fact Sheets
  • CA BPPE Annual Report
  • CA BPPE Website

Footer Menu Column 3

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility
  • Student Disability Services
  • Office of Equity and Access

Footer Social Media Navigation

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

2022 Chamberlain Universtiy LLC. All rights reserved.

Footer Menu Line 1

  • Online Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use

*140,000 Chamberlain students, alumni and faculty

† Chamberlain University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Chamberlain University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, ccneaccreditation.org. The Chamberlain University Doctor of Nursing Practice (delivered via distance education) is accredited by the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) located at 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202-909-2526). Chamberlain University’s Master of Public Health Program is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health, www.ceph.org. For the most updated accreditation information, visit chamberlain.edu/accreditation. Chamberlain University’s Master of Social Work degree program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education’s Commission on Accreditation, www.cswe.org. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Chamberlain University Physician Assistant Program. 

To report unresolved complaints to the Illinois Board of Higher Education visit their webpage at https://complaints.ibhe.org/ or by mail to 1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333, Springfield, IL 62701-1377. View Chamberlain's complaint process.

Chamberlain University confers online degrees from its Main Campus in Addison, IL.

Chamberlain University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com
©2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.