Encouraging student engagement, interaction, and learning via online discussion boards: Reflections on using Yellowdig in the COVID-19 era

Abstract

In the COVID-19 era, Yellowdig (an online discussion board with social media-like features) has increasingly risen to prominence in higher education. Reflecting on a multi-year experiment involving 14 international business and marketing courses, I argue that Yellowdig remains a valuable tool for learning even after returning to face-to-face classes. Nonetheless, my experience also highlights its limitations. While Yellowdig is not a panacea for social learning, it can provide a versatile platform for student interaction and engagement, provided that instructors maintain a clear purpose and realistic expectations. I present key considerations to help instructors optimize their use of Yellowdig.