Luma Connections #2: Provide Mixture of Discussion Board Sizes
Collaboration and connection are important for our social-emotional well-being. Importantly, Luma has conducted research and published the benefits for creating learning communities remotely. This year, Luma will provide specific strategies you can implement to connect learners remotely. We are calling these strategies our Luma Connections.
Teaching Strategy: Breakout Groups
Teaching Tool: Discussion Board
This is an online tool that allows learners to interact with each other to explore a topic and to discuss key concepts and concerts, share experiences, interact with each other, and to ask questions. Interactions are not in real-time and can be mentor-learner and learner-to-learner.
Topic*: Coffee House; Health and Wellness
*You can replicate this tip for any content topic.
Small groups enhance social presence and can create a greater sense of commitment than large groups. However, there are times when larger groups are appropriate and appreciated.
Tip: Create social presence in an asynchronous discussion board by providing a mixture of discussion board sizes.
*You can replicate this tip for any content topic.
Small groups enhance social presence and can create a greater sense of commitment than large groups. However, there are times when larger groups are appropriate and appreciated.

- Example 1: Coffee House or Juice Bar (open to all users)
- Example 2: Eating Healthy (create break out groups of 5 users. Assign users to the groups and let them name their group/team)

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