Research- and practice-based development of a framework and guidelines for Assessable Online Discussion (AOD)

Online discussion forums have become a key pedagogical component of online education, and ensuring successful forums is one of the most important aspects for instructors to consider in the learning and teaching environment.
Monash University has a key objective for Future-Focused education to increase blended and wholly online delivery, and has clear and comprehensive policies in regard to assessment (for example the Assessments in Coursework Units Policy), and provides tips for students for effectively communicating and collaborating online. There is no effective framework, or clear and effective guidelines, however, that might be used to support developing and structuring assessable online discussion forums (AOD). In practice there is a general lack of understanding with respect to the use of AOD, and considerable inconsistency in its delivery and evaluation as an assessment item across the University.
The project will be specifically focused on the postgraduate teaching within public health, given the exclusive use of AODs in their multi-modal and online-only courses. However there is a view to broader application across the Faculty and University once initial aspects from this project are identified.