Science forum sparks student reaction
Amelia Ley
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: Front Page
Students in Alexander Konopelko's physical science classes have been busy posting about topics ranging from Atlantis, a legendary island in the Atlantic Ocean, to genetic engineering.
The discussion forum about Atlantis is based on Konopelko's question, "Did Atlantis ever exist?"
Overall, students upheld the belief that it did.
However, Cameron Leslie, senior in early/late childhood development, had an alternate view of Atlantis.
"Atlantis could have been Plato's way of describing what he thought would have been a utopian city," Leslie posted.
Interacting with all of the students in general education classes can be challenging, says Konopelko.
That's why he uses discussion forums. He posts a problem on ANGEL and students from his classes can respond with their opinions.
Konopelko chooses the problems that he posts from material being covered in the course.
Participation in discussion forums is not required. However, Konopelko considers it extra credit.
Forums should be used for only large, general education classes, Konopelko says.
"I wouldn't use a discussion forum for a small class because, in principle, you could talk to all of the students," he said.
Students' response to the forums has been good, he says.
But back to the Atlantis forum: One of the students who firmly believed it existed was Dustin Meyer, junior in plastics engineering.
"I was researching it, and approximately 3,500 years ago there were a series of earthquakes and volcanoes that are believed to have destroyed Atlantis," he said. "Volcanic rocks and other stones have been discovered over the years."
Meyer says he likes discussion forums because they are an easy grade and it helps to see what other students think.
"They should probably be required," he said.
Leslie has a different opinion. He has used discussion forums in other classes and does not like them.
"It is a waste of time and busy work," he said.
All of the questions asked on discussion forums can be asked and answered in class as an open discussion, Leslie says.
The discussion forum about Atlantis is based on Konopelko's question, "Did Atlantis ever exist?"
Overall, students upheld the belief that it did.
However, Cameron Leslie, senior in early/late childhood development, had an alternate view of Atlantis.
"Atlantis could have been Plato's way of describing what he thought would have been a utopian city," Leslie posted.
Interacting with all of the students in general education classes can be challenging, says Konopelko.
That's why he uses discussion forums. He posts a problem on ANGEL and students from his classes can respond with their opinions.
Konopelko chooses the problems that he posts from material being covered in the course.
Participation in discussion forums is not required. However, Konopelko considers it extra credit.
Forums should be used for only large, general education classes, Konopelko says.
"I wouldn't use a discussion forum for a small class because, in principle, you could talk to all of the students," he said.
Students' response to the forums has been good, he says.
But back to the Atlantis forum: One of the students who firmly believed it existed was Dustin Meyer, junior in plastics engineering.
"I was researching it, and approximately 3,500 years ago there were a series of earthquakes and volcanoes that are believed to have destroyed Atlantis," he said. "Volcanic rocks and other stones have been discovered over the years."
Meyer says he likes discussion forums because they are an easy grade and it helps to see what other students think.
"They should probably be required," he said.
Leslie has a different opinion. He has used discussion forums in other classes and does not like them.
"It is a waste of time and busy work," he said.
All of the questions asked on discussion forums can be asked and answered in class as an open discussion, Leslie says.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
hypnosis
posted 11/26/09 @ 9:26 AM CST
I like the forums because they are an interesting way to express what I think about certain topics.
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