Instructor Involvement
Asking the students what level of participation do they want.
The learning objectives are for the students and too much interference from the instructor may prevent this.
Tracey,
Oh yes - the objectives have to be clear and the student have to also understand how they can reach the objectives. Thanks for your input.
I've learned the more involved the student is in the course, the more successful they are. It's important to tailor the objectives in a way the student can understand. An outline of the materials to be covered is great. I often offer a syllabus quiz at the start of each course which covers the objectives.
Albert,
Yes, a serious critical assessment of the posts are necessary. When you use a rubric to assess the posts and provide examples of good/bad posts, that helps the students grasp the concept of posting on a discussion board. Thanks for your examples.
I have experienced the same issue and concern. Since my discussion boards required a response early in the unit, students will try to ask questions or to "repeat the assignment".
If you have several students that do post an original and consistent message, do not comment on that post Make a comment on the comment... If a student asks a question, ask that student a follow up question that does not embarrass the student. For example, I pose another question:" Cindy, you have a good question but do you think that asking about the time preference of money is a more important question to ask?" Second, many students agree with an error. When a student agrees with an error, I ask the student if they agree with the original messages and point out the possible error. If that student who made a comment agrees with the "error" I respond to both students: the student who made the original message and the student who agreed with the original message.
My objective is simple: each student should make a serious critical assessment of every post.
Leyann,
And, make sure you are encourage others to expand on their posts as well so the work does not become all your work. Students need to understand they can learn from each other and teach each other as well.
As a blended learning instructor, I find my role in discussion boards is the facilitate the ongoing discussion. The first 1 or 2 post by students is key, I then will expand on their posts and I find that really helps to jump start other online students. This requires routine monitoring of the instructors end.
Jason,
It's great that you have learned to be a facilitator of learning. Keep moving forward.
I agree,
We have that same query in many of the youth programs I have been a part of. The greatest training we ever received for counseling youth was that we need to allow the students to lead (not take over and do the task ourselves). We also need to let them fall from time to time. We should not leave them alone, but instead be there to guide them through the picking of themselves up (but only guide as needed). Sometimes the best education is found when figuring out how to pick yourself up out of a given dilemma.
Lindsey,
It is difficult to facilitate the conversation and not take charge too much. Keep up the good work.
I have discussion boards in my class and students are required to have a minimum participation. I find if I am on there frequently responding to posts and asking specific students questions or posing questions to the class, I get higher than required participation and a broader discussion. It is a fine line, though, and I have seen times when I have inadvertently led the conversation and led the students into my particular conclusions instead of letting them make their own.
Michael,
The instructor has to learn to be a facilitator of such choices just as they are of the learning process. Thanks!
Choice is the key and allows students to feel empowered. This is important in building a learning community.
Gregory,
There is definitely a difference in undergraduate and graduate students. However, if the undergraduate students are taking a series of courses (as many do) and they are all online, the facilitation can start in the higher level courses.
Thanks for your input.
I would agree if we're talking graduate level work where students are working toward mastery of a topic. At the undergraduate level, I don't think the instructor should ever be simply a facilitator. Leading discussions, managing tangents, maintaning academic rigor, and providing poignant interjections are all required for the student to get full value from the discussion forums.
Melissa,
We've got to get and keep them involved.
Keep up the good work.
I agree with Dr. Crews in regards to students wanting low participation or not wanting to participate at all. It is our duty to ensure accreditation standards are met and this is a big factor for online learning at this time.
Melissa
Shana,
Good points. Being an active instructor and engaging the students can be time consuming, but is extremely important. Communication is very important so that students know what is expected of them and know they are individuals and not just a "number in the class."
A discussion board rubric is awesome and helping them understand how to develop good communication through the discussion board is key.
Thank you.
Both student and instructor have the responsibilty to take an active part in the discussion. The instructor has a huge role in making sure that discussions are on topic and actually answering questions that have been asked. I would never ask a student what level is ok. That might create a situation that is hard to rectify later on. It could inadvertantly allow students to not perform their best. It is the instructor's job to set the standard and not only make sure that students are performing, but also taking an active role and holding yourself to the same, if not higher standard.
What I have done with my students is to go over the discussion board rubric with them, that way they know exactly what the instructor is looking for. The instructor has to ensure that students get and stay involved. This is the only way we can be sure that they are putting in the effort and are learning the material.
Brenda,
I agree. The instructor has different responsibilities than the students, but working together helps establish a good learning environment.
