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[boyoungc]

Hi folks,
Was wondering if you had a system/tips for me on how you respond to student posts – rather than reply to every post – do you have a method you use on how many/who you choose to respond to when teaching an online class?  Thanks!

Best,
Boyoung

[glowdart]

Sometimes they need individual feedback.  Sometimes they don't.  I would design your class so that you have a balance, because responding to every single post will suck dry your will to live; they're the ones taking the class, not you.  There are some discussion posts where I will respond to everyone individually because I'm assessing their individual mastery of a concept in that series of posts.  Other times, I'll just respond to a thread, or a series of posts on related content, or send a mass-message out to the whole class. 

[larryc]

I hardly reply at all, because just as in the classroom if the professor participates too much in the discussion it kills the conversation.

[vardahilwen]

When I taught an online course, I would make mass/general/announcement posts, such as "I've read your discussion posts on reading X. Here are some general things I've noticed." Then note the wider trends: "many of you seem to be misusing the term 'discombobulated.' Make sure you understand the meaning of this word, especially in the context of ostritch feathers." Etc.

[zuzu_]

The only time I reply to everyone is in the icebreaker/"get-to-know-you" thread. Otherwise, I reply very little.

I will reply if students seem to missing a hugely important point. I will also reply if I see an opportunity to draw out more meaningful discussion. Most of my replies involve acknowledging a point already being discussed, and then raising a new question for debate.

I will also play peacekeeper if students start to get snarky.

[sagit]

I read through all the students' posts. I reply when I am "inspired" to post.  That means that sometimes I read a post and nothing immediately comes to mind to respond.  Then for other posts I immediately think of something I want to share in response, so I post that.  My overall goal is to give the students the sense that I am actively reading and engaging in their postings as well. 

Some weeks I start by reading and replying to any posts that no one else has replied so they won't feel like no one cares about what they had to say.

I'd probably do more of what Vardahilwen does if I had more students (I have 14 students in my online course).

[melba_frilkins]

I read through all the students' posts. I reply when I am "inspired" to post.  That means that sometimes I read a post and nothing immediately comes to mind to respond.  Then for other posts I immediately think of something I want to share in response, so I post that.  My overall goal is to give the students the sense that I am actively reading and engaging in their postings as well.  

Some weeks I start by reading and replying to any posts that no one else has replied so they won't feel like no one cares about what they had to say.

I'd probably do more of what Vardahilwen does if I had more students (I have 14 students in my online course).

Chime to all of the above.

I also try to keep a mental note of who I have and haven't replied to recently, and try to even things out. From a student point of view, it seems really weird if the instructor never replies to your posts! Also, keep a close eye out for students who are asking you a question or otherwise looking for clarification.

For our very first discussion, which is just a "hello" sort of thing, I make a point to reply to every single student quite promptly in order to welcome them to the class.

Beware LarryC's approach. Though it may have some truth to it, you need to then find ways to establish your online presence elsewhere. (I've known instructors who use that as an excuse to not reply to any discussions ever. Not good. Just plain lazy).