| Discussion takes place in a physical classroom. The instructor often leads and controls the focus of the discussion to reach a conclusion in a limited amount of time. Since time is limited, responses must typically be formulated quickly. There could also be some intimidation of speaking live in a classroom setting, but there is also the benefit of visual cues of fellow students and the instructor. |
Students have more of an opportunity to develop well thought out, researched, discussion responses. The students often carry the bulk of the discussion interaction with the instructor acting as a facilitator only interjecting when necessary. The online discussion evolves over a period of time longer than that of the face-to-face classroom (often more than one week) which allows the time and flexibility for all students in the course to contribute and reach conclusions together. |
