Online Course Interaction
My experience has indicated the importance of the discussion threads within the online format.
As a rule, I reply to every student within a given course at least once per week. The level and complexity of interaction is vital, but ensuring all students are recognized for their individual contributions is key to retention.
Lisa
A few things that come to mind would be to make sure you have the chats on the same day and times each week so that students know when they are scheduled throughout the term and can make necessary plans. Another suggestion would be to provide students that participate in the chat with a hint on an upcoming assignment or something else that might give them a reason to attend (in addition to you sharing your knowledge!).
Thank you for your response, Dr. Ernst. I use many different methods of teaching including forums, announcements, very specific and individual feedback on projects and faculty discussions whenever I'm online and students wish to contact me. However, my institute requires that I hold two Live Chats per week, and it would be a great place for students to interact and with me and other students. I also email students at the start of class to find out what times are advantageous for them and vary the chat time through out the week to accommodate their schedules. I don't restrict my interaction or teaching methods to chats; I was just wondering if anyone had any new ideas to entice students to attend as I am required to hold them.
I think one of the challenges you are going up against Sherrie is the idea that having a student sit in a live chat at a time that is predetermined by the teacher goes against one of the major advantages of online learning--that the student is allowed to take the course when it works best in their schedule. This makes expecting students to participate in the class during a specific time very difficult. I think you need to ask yourself why you want your students to participate in an online live chat in the first place. Lecturing is just one way of teaching, but there are so many others that you don't have to rely just on this one. I would encourage you to try other methods.
I'm fairly new to online teaching, but have incorporated many of the ideas you've listed, George. My problem is getting students to attend Live Chats. I conduct two chats per week using multimedia formats, and invite all students by email, as well as put the times and subject matter into an announcement. I also try to entice them into attending by asking a question about their projects and promising to expand on it and answer questions during the Chat. However, the Chats are recorded, and the students would rather just listen to the recording than attend. There I sit alone, lecturing rather than interacting with students. (By the way, at my institute, Chats are encouraged, but not mandatory.) Does anyone have additional ideas?
Absolutely Jeff! Thanks for the comment.
I agree with what you say 100%. I think that E-learning or class room the student needs to know that the instructor is intrested in their questions, answers and them as a student
I require students to respond to two postings of other students. I, however, respond to every post. I usually have several students in a class that respond to more than two postings.
Terrific reasons to interact with students Carol. Thanks for sharing them with the group!
How many posts do you require a student to respond to? I have been having difficulty getting students to revisit a threaded discussion after they have posted a comment and would like to get more interaction between the students. Thanks.
George, Michele, Debra, and Others, I also post follow up questions to the discussion, comments to correct behavior (like using the spell check feature), and new information (i.e. websites or questions to advance the discussion when it has be exhausted). Being actively engaged in my opinion, demonstrates that you are there for the students, care about their success, and are a role model for the desired outcomes.
Even though the discussion board is an asynchronous form of communication, when managed properly by the instructor, it can truly become the "heartbeat" of the course.
The classroom discussion board serves many vital roles in an online environment:
1) The first benefit of the classroom discussion board is that by virtue of the fact that it is asynchronous, students can post any time of the day and night, regardless of the Time zone they are in.
2) Another major benefit is the fact that the instructor can use the discussion board to reach out to every student individually.
3) Perhaps the most important benefit of the classroom discussion board is the fact that it allows the class to have a rolling discussion...and at the same time, allows each student to ask probing questions of the entire class.
Mike Crowley
Even though the discussion board is an asynchronous form of communication, when managed properly by the instructor, it can truly become the "heartbeat" of the course.
The classroom discussion board serves many vital roles in an online environment:
1) The first benefit of the classroom discussion board is that by virtue of the fact that it is asynchronous, students can post any time of the day and night, regardless of the Time zone they are in.
2) Another major benefit is the fact that the instructor can use the discussion board to reach out to every student individually.
3) Perhaps the most important benefit of the classroom discussion board is the fact that it allows the class to have a rolling discussion...and at the same time, allows each student to ask probing questions of the entire class.
Mike Crowley
I think one of the things that encourages participation (other than a requirement to respond to a certain number of posts) is that online provides anonymity for those that are uncomfortable speaking out in class. In addition, students can be sure of their response before hitting the send button instead of taking a risk speaking out in the class.
Thanks for your post Joan.
When I taught my first online course, I was also surprised at the level of interaction on the discussion form--particularly student-to-student. Having taught in the traditional classroom for some time, I often found it difficult to get a discussion going in the classroom setting. I'm not sure what it is about the online environment, but the relevancy of the discussion really impressed me.
Joan
Taking the time to respond to each students post is a great way to engage the students and to let them know that you are "listening" to what they have to say. Thanks for the response Gary.
I think responding to students posts within 24 hours is a great goal. Thanks for sharing it with us Wendy.
I have to agree with you. When you respond to each individual student, you do recognize that their comments are important to the course. This encourages them to participate in future discussion threads. I have found this to be true in my online experience. The comments from students were extremely positive toward myself and the course as a result.
I think it is absolutely essential for instructors to be actively engaged in the course. Students also follow the lead of the instructor. If the instructor is actively engaged more of the students will be also. I try to respond to the initial posts of students within 24 hours. I believe this shows personalization, that their goals are important to the instructor and the instructor is actively engaged in the course.
George,
I practice much of what is stated here. I like your approach. You seem to have a well organized and fun class.
TD
