Engaging students
The hardest part when I started being the blackboard coordinator was the discussion threads. I didn't realize how tough it would be to get students to be engaging on their posts. I think it's important to have at least 3 responses in any online discussion.
Hello Pat,
Engaging students in online discussions can be a challenge. I try all different types of initial threads to increase engagement. I use videos links, cartoons, and articles to prompt students to engage in our weekly discussions. Additionally, I try to keep the threads as current as possible.
Ms. Terry Stanley
I agree with you Alfretta. I am currently taking an online course myself and if we could discuss real world experiences versus only textbook or topics geared towards the material for a particular time, it would be more interesting. The feedback would probably increase if this happened.
Thomas,
Yes, every term is different and when you throw a major holiday in the term, students really get "short on time".
Shelly Crider
Thomas,
Sitting in classes as a bachelor student....I can remember thinking "please nobody say anything else as I want to get out of here"!! But with interesting questions....I had different thoughts!
Shelly Crider
Reminding students is something that is necessary because they are very busy and most students are trying to balance a full-time job, a family and going to school. This is never easy to accomplish so it is entirely possible for a student to become forgetful if he or she is incredibly busy.
Also, sometimes students will send an email asking for additional time to complete discussions or assignments if they have an especially challenging week that might include being sick or having a family member who might be ill of health.
Students have feelings and most of them want to learn and be inspired. Sending friendly and gentle reminders are appreciated, especially during the Holiday Season when people are going in many different directions at the same time.
"Jump starting" students to engage in online discussions can be challenging. However, it is important to explain to students that the discussions are the equivalent of coming to class. In other words, if a student enrolled in an onsite class, he or she would go to a physical classroom in which to learn. Similarly, an online student must be taught that the discussions are the online classroom and that is where learning exchanges occur between students. Although the course instructor acts as a facilitator of learning, adult learners learn a lot from each other.
Not only is it important to have 3 responses in any online discussion, it is even more important for students to log into a course website 5 days a week to read and learn from what others are saying. It is essential to teach students that they must read all the posts that others place in an online discussion because that is their classroom.
Christopher,
I like how you give a friendly reminder to your students to participate in discussion. There are times when students simply do what they can get by with.
Shelly Crider
Initially I found it a challenge to get some students engaged. As I tapped into their personal experiences (careers, hobbies, sports, and family) it became easier to get them to open up. As for the smart ones, we found that if you give them something extra to read and respond to – they stay engaged. As for the introverts, we found that if prep them ahead of time with a friendly email on what you’re going to talk about next week so; they could prepare their responses and feel more comfortable discussing the issues.
Pat, I agree it can be tough to get students to post meaningful discussions in discussion board (DB) threads. As online instructors one of our main objectives is of course to engage students in the DBs and Live Chat. We can do this by asking students to discuss real world experiences or examples relative to the subject matter.
Alfretta
John,
Yes, really make them think right from the beginning!
Shelly Crider
I agree, in my 10 years + experience best way to get any discussion started is give a story of actual life experience that pertains to the topic and it gets the gears turning.
Hello Pat, I agree that it is important to have at least three responses in online discussions. I constantly have to reiterate that merely being complimentary to a classmate's post does not provide substantive or comprehensive dialogue. I generally have to think outside of the box in order to get student's to engage more in their discussions. Some of the students handle the challenge well, others appear to be more timid or aren't really concerned that the discussions are a major percentage of their grades.
PatJohn,
This is a bit problem. It is easier to get students involved if you use current and personal experience.
Shelly Crider
