Kelly Wilkinson

Eileen, I don't think discussion board are outdated. I use them because I try to use as much as I can within the LMS. I teach a writing course and I find in the business arena more people are using instant messaging to communicate business objectives so I use Twitter to helps students write short succinct messages. It is really pretty good for that. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Eileen, I use remind.com to do just that . . . remind. My students don't go to their computer all the time (neither do I) they use their phone. For information I want them to read ASAP I use remind.com. I always have a strategy. I try one tool and take one tool away from the teaching in a semester. I use it then evaluate. I don't want to overwhelm my students either. The tool has to meet a goal of the course or assess an objective. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Kara, Twitter is were students are today! It actually will force students to use fewer words to get their points across. This is not how many of them were taught to write. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Kara, I agree it is a great tool. Would you consider using a rubric? Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Eileen, One place you may want to look id padlet.com. It is similar to pinterest and you can lock it down or make it available to all. It is free. I used it this summer and my students really liked it. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Gail These are great strategies. I really think they are smart. Several years ago I developed a general discussion board where students could ask questions. Before they emailed me the question they had to post it on the discussion board. If a student answered it correctly, both students got points. It does work, it decreases my emails and students developed community. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Valerie, Do you record information for your students. I find it invaluable for my online cours. It is important to make sure your tools work for you student. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Julie, I think we think content when really it is organization and delivery. Can we deliver online the outcomes in our syllabus? That is indeed the question. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Valerie, I would add that! It is listening to the words and reading between the lines don't you think? Great post. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson

Julie, That is true, but many times you are also the social director to help them interact with each other. You may be the diagnostician to determine strengths and weaknesses in learning. You may have to be the technician to help with technology. These other "jobs" are different than a traditional f2f instructor. Dr. Kelly Wilkinson