Introductory/Icebreaker Ideas for Online Discussion Forums

Icebreakers for online discussion forums in higher education can foster community and engagement.

Examples

Two Truths and a Lie students share three facts about themselves, two true and one false. The class guesses the lie. 

Show and Tell students present an object that represents them. 

Bucket List Item ask students to share something they've accomplished and something they aspire to do. 

Show and Tell:
Students share an object that represents them, explaining its significance. 
My Most Embarrassing Moment:
A fun way to encourage vulnerability and laughter. 
Bucket List Item:
Students share something they've already accomplished and something they still want to do. 

Creative Icebreakers:

    Emoji Introduction:
    . 

Students use emojis to represent aspects of their personality or interests. 
Name Acrostic:
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Students create a poem using the letters of their name to describe themselves. 
Virtual Background:
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Students create a virtual background that represents them or their interests. 
One Word/Image Activity:
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Students share one word or image that describes them or their current state of mind. 
Where in the World:
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Students share a place they've been or would like to visit. 

Discussion-Focused Icebreakers:

    Hopes and Fears: Students share their hopes and fears related to the course or their academic journey. 

Personal Introductions: Students share their professional interests, goals for the course, and personal interests. 
What does being healthy mean to you?: This can be a good icebreaker for health-related courses. 
What is one thing you use all the time that is designed well and one thing with an inconvenient design that you would change?: Good for engineering or design-focused courses. 

Tips for Success:

    Keep it short and simple: Especially in online environments, shorter activities are easier to manage and engage students. 

Provide clear instructions: Make sure students understand what they need to do and how to participate. 
Encourage participation: Consider dividing students into smaller groups for more intimate discussions. 
Have fun!: Create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere for students to connect. 
Consider asynchronous options: For larger classes, asynchronous activities like discussion forums can be more manageable. 
Use online tools: Consider tools like Padlet, Miro, or PollEverywhere for interactive activities.