Our professor sent us an email asking us to check-in with her and in doing so, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on my experiences. In reflecting, I realized that I was learning how to be a web 2.0 produser, but not necessarily making the best of my experience to be a web 2.0 facilitator and educator. The example I gave her was that I wanted to learn how to facilitate better discussions online. I came across this post on how to engage students in online discussions: (http://icoblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/key-strategies-on-how-to-engage-students-in-online-discussion/).
To examine each point:
1. Set clear guidelines. Isn't this just goal setting? That's something to which every instructional designer can relate. What are we here to do? How do we do it? What is expected of everyone? Beautifully parsimonious.
2. Student-led discussions. Not all discussion boards are created this way. Some courses I have taken through other outlets in the past asked us very specific questions that almost had a right/wrong answer. Is that making the best use of a discussion board? Was there a different way the instructor could have asked the question to provoke more though? Which leads me to the next point...
3. Ask thought-provoking open-ended questions. See above. Plus, those questions do not need to be in the heading. An instructor can post those questions in response to student posts.
4. Make discussion an important part of the class. Adult learners will only do something if they see it as important to them at that moment. Telling someone it is a good way to learn without emphasizing its importance in their current situation is a recipe for failure.
5. Form small groups or teams: I once took a class that had us do a team debate. It was really interesting seeing the difference making teams can make.
6. Create a caring environment: this one was the most obvious to me. I was surprised it was all the way down here.
Great read, though, if you care to read the whole thing. You might want to Diigo it. :)
Interesting article. My project in the Inquiry & Measurement class I took last semester had to do with Online Discourse. Our group was particularly interested in how to increase meaningful discussions in an online forum. We read a lot of research papers on the subject. For the most part, the ideas listed are on target. For me, the biggest factor is motivation and what fosters that. When were motivated, we will tend to contribute more. Also, do you think some contribution from the instructor is a good think?
ReplyDeleteGood point about the teacher contribution. I credited you in helping me find an article that addressed that more. I think the more present you can be the better.
DeleteMotivation is always key. One of my favorite quotes is, "When someone doesn't want to learn, you can't make him. When someone wants to learn, you can't stop him." I have found that to be so true in my own life and in watching my students.