Encouraging
Quality
Academic
Online
Discussions
Presented by :
Cari Kenner and Victoria Williams
Academic Learning Center
Typical On-line Discussions
• Instructor posts question.
• Students post 3-5 responses.
Why don’t traditional online discussions
always work?
• Lack of community
• Lack of motivation
• Unfamiliarity
Source: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~webteach/articles/discussion.html
Why keep trying?
What is the value of discussion
in online classes?
• Builds community.
• Adds to understanding of
course content and its
application to real world
situations.
• Helps students maintain a
connection to the course.
Why keep trying?
What is the value of online discussion
in traditional classes?
Allows all students a voice.
• Encourages thoughtful
response to course content
and other students’ ideas.
Encouraging Participation
• Instructor Participation.
• Too Involved.
• Under Involved.
• Give credit.
• Restrict access.
• Encourage collaboration.
• Be realistic.
Source: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~webteach/articles/discussion.html
Alternatives to Traditional
Online Discussion Formats
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
Icebreakers
“Real Time” Lab Discussions
Content-Centered Discussion Alternatives
Blogging
Facebook: CampusBuddy
Types of Discussions
• Synchronous –Adobe Connect
• Virtual Office Hours
• In-class discussions
Adobe
Connect
Synchronous
Chat
Discussion
• Asynchronous
• Threaded discussions
• Large group
• Small group
• Blogs
Threaded
Discussion
Asynchronous
Blogs
Real Time “Lab” Discussions
Why threaded discussion in “real time”?
•Allows time for thoughtful response (student
comment).
•In a chat situation, students feel pressured to fill the
space and do not necessarily stay on task.
Specific task: Read short article, formulate questions,
respond.
Icebreaking Techniques
• Why are we together?
• Portrait
• Classmate Quiz
Icebreaking Techniques
Why are we together?
• Have students complete a profile and assign
them to a group of 4 or 5.
• The students have to figure out what they have
in common.
• Post their common reason to the whole group.
Icebreaking Techniques
Portrait
• Students create a self-portrait to share with instructor and
classmates.
• A digital graphic of some kind—drawing that is scanned
into the computer, picture from the web, or other. (No
photographs allowed.)
• Include an explanation.
Icebreaking Techniques
Classmate Quiz
• During the first week have students post to
an introduction threaded discussion.
• In the second week, give a quiz to see what
they have learned about fellow classmates.
•
All icebreakers are from: Conrad, Rita-Marie and J. Ana Donaldson. Engaging the Online Learner:
Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.
Content-Centered Alternatives
• Case Study
• IRA
• I Didn’t Know That
Case Study
• Assign a different case study for 3-person groups.
• Provide specific questions to answer.
• Three-person groups post responses a week before
discussion.
• Entire classes looks at all case studies and comments on all
groups.
• Group members must post responses to those who
comment on their case study.
IRA
Insights, Resource Sharing, and Applications
Insights:
Create one-sentence bullet points from
the readings (3 total).
Resource:
Beyond the readings find another source
that explains, validates, or exemplifies
course reading.
Application: Provide an example from your current
course, experience, assignment, etc.
I Didn’t Know That
• Devote an entire discussion thread to “I
Didn’t Know That” postings.
• Each week, post something you’ve learned
and will use, from the lecture, textbook,
class discussions, personal experience, etc.
All content-centered activities are from: Conrad, Rita-Marie and J. Ana Donaldson. Engaging the Online
Learner: Activities and Resources for Creative Instruction. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2004.
Blogging
http://voraciousvocab.blogspot.com/
Facebook: CampusBuddy
•
•
•
•
•
See who is in classes.
Get grade distributions.
“Discuss” the class.
Rate professors.
Upload course materials.
If you use Facebook….
•
•
•
•
•
Create “Teacher” Profile
Ask students to limit your access to profile.
Create Groups
Publish Notes
Status Updates
Source: http://www.edumorphology.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/fb_classroom1.pdf
Idea Sharing