Ning tip #3 – disable ‘comments’ option in Ning groups
Switch off ‘comments’ in groups.
We’ve found that the ‘comments’ option in Ning groups gets a bit confusing for our members. All our teachers can create groups. So we encourage all teachers who create groups to disable ‘comments’, and encourage group members to use the forums instead. Not a problem for you yet?
The problem we’ve found is that group members get confused if they have to choose between writing a comment or starting a group discussion thread. Too many ways to communicate. Too many choices.
The ‘discussion forum’ in the groups works better because discussions are threaded, the comments are not, and they’re in reverse order – which is confusing.
Now, I’m sure comments are great in groups where the members know the difference between a forum and a comment wall. But in our experience, most don’t. If the comment wall gets used for something that would work better in a discussion, then any potential for developing a good discussion seems to dry up immediately.
