# 2.1 Overcoming the barriers to contributing to forums

To overcome the barriers to contributing to online learning forums, it is useful to identify what those individual barriers are. In the next activity, you will consider a range of potential barriers and rank them in the order of importance to you.

## Activity 4 What might stop you getting involved?

Allow about 10 minutes

Read the statements below about people’s barriers to contributing to forums and add a number from 1 to 8 in the column alongside it to show how important each one is for you, with 1 being least important and 8 being most important.

## Table 2 What’s important to you?

Reason for not getting involved | How important is this to you?
--- | ---
I don’t want to look silly | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
My posts are less detailed | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
I am afraid of negative comments | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
I worry about writing the wrong thing | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
I am always behind everyone else | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
I don’t have the time | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
I feel inferior to other students | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)
I feel pressure to contribute when I have nothing useful to add | (A text entry box would appear here, but your browser does not support it.)

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### Discussion

You might have found this activity difficult because you may have several barriers which you perceive as being equally important. However, by reflecting on these barriers, you can start to prioritise which of them is influencing you the most. You can then take small steps to address them.

In the next section, you will consider your options for addressing your barriers and enhancing your participation.

OpenLearn - Building confidence in using online learning forums
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