Online Instructor as Social Director
I enjoyed reading this function, as I have always done this and thought I was alone. In my classes I promote community and try to motivate students to figure things out with classmates in my math classes. In my first term classes, in the last week, I ask that everyone share the next class they are going into so they go into the upcoming course already having a classmate to work on things with.
How have you all been "Social Directors"?
Karen "kam" Maiorano
Dale,
Great idea. I like the idea of students sharing their online strategies to share with the next class. I am going to use that. . . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Karen,
I have not asked students to share what their next class will be, but I think it is a great idea, and I will start to do that. I do, post a thread called "coffee talk". I use it as a place where students can have a virtual cup of coffee and talk about assignments or life in general. I usually get a great turnout with it.
Margaret,
Great point. Do you think they feel that they may not know enough to post ( they do of course)?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I work in primarily a cohort environment with doctoral students and social director is definitely a key role as students focus on many learning aspects that support research efforts.
Laurie,
Love this idea. It is really a great way to develop connections among students.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Karen,
This is a good idea. I have asked students to share their next courses with each other just from an information aspect. I had not thought about the possibility that students might be able to identify a new classmate for the next class. I know the first week of class, there is some sharing of previous classes as well where sometimes students are able to identify students that have been in previous classes!
Laurie
That is a fine idea, carrying on the beginning of relationships from class to class is something I plan to 'borrow' too. Thanks!
Karen,
I am going to "borrow" this for my own class! I love this; for both my online and f2f courses. I work hard to develop communication among the students rather than just with me. That is my challenge. I don't want students to hide behind the computer.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
