There are several tools you can use. Some tools are completely anonymous, neither the tutor or fellow students will know who asked the question. Others are partially anonymous, the tutor will know who asked the question, but fellow students won’t.
This article outlines some of the tools you can use, and their pros and cons.
Completely anonymous
Neither the tutor or fellow students will know who asked the question.
Moodle Board
The Board activity allows students to engage in discussions and thought-sharing, via a post-it board.
Pros
Students can post text, images, URL links, and embedded YouTube videos.
Students and tutors can easily rate a post by adding a star.
Boards are anonymous by default, but check the settings carefully to ensure anonymity.
Cons
Although students and tutors can comment on posts, the comments are not visible on the main Board; they can only be seen by clicking on the individual post.
Padlet
When you create your Padlet make sure Attribution is turned Off so that posts are made anonymously.
Note: Brookes no longer provides a University wide licence for Padlet.
Pros
Good for both synchronous and asynchronous sessions. Students can see all questions, not just their own. And questions are viewed immediatley.
Cons
The tutor needs to have their own personal Padlet account.
Google Slides Q&A
Google Slides: Whilst you are presenting, students can ask questions anonymously.
Pros
Good to use during a synchronous session. Students can see all questions, not just their own. And questions are viewed immediatley. Good if you are already using Google Slides for lectures.
Cons
Once you stop presentating the questions are no longer visible to the students. Although it is possible to view the Q&A history from the Tools menu of the Slides file.
Moodle Feedback activity
The Feedback activity in Moodle can be configured to be anonymous. When setting up a Feedback activity choose Record user names: Anonymous.
Pros
Only the tutor sees the questions. Good if a tutor would like to reflect on students’ questions and formulate responses ahead of a seminar or assessment briefing.
Cons
Only the tutor will see the questions. So the students don’t get to see what kind of questions other students are asking.
Partly anonymous
The tutor will know who asked the question, but fellow students won’t.
Moodle Forum NG activity
The Forum NG activity in Moodle can be configured so that posts are private between the individual student and the tutor. When setting up a Forum NG activity choose the Forum type: Study advice (only see own discussions).
Pros
Tutors can reply to the individual student. The discussion thread is saved, and can be revisted by the student and the tutor.
Cons
Only the tutor will see the question. So the students don’t get to see what kind of questions other students are asking.