Online Discussion
The hardest part about managing online instruction is engaging students in a dialogue that makes them return after they post their initial post. How do you get students to return after their required post has been posted? That is a questions I have about maintaining the fidelity of online discussions.
Hi Rebecca,
The students always return after making their initial post due to the fact that they are required to respond to atleast 3 classmates. However, in viewing the rubric, a student will not get the maximum points for that portion of the discussion, if they only respond to 3 classmates.
Prior to class starting, I have always posted an announcement entitled "tips for online success" for which one of my bullet points refer to the discussion forum. I always ask a student to review the rubric in its entirety as well as respond to atleast 5 classmates without drive-by responses, such as "I agree."
I have posted announcements, which are highlighted in yellow asking students to go into detail on their responses. The reminder of not posting drive-bys does not seem to work. How can this be avoided?
Rebecca,
You are so correct. I find this to be the hardest part of my job. We are only required to have a student post and then repond to a post. I am thinking of adding another requirement, which would be to have a studnet repond to a post and ask a question in which the first student would have to answer the question.
I belive that once a student has placed their orginial post and then reponded to another post, they then feel that they have completed the assignment and don't return to the dicussion board to look for any question that I might have asked them as a follow up.
One technique I use to get students to return after their initial posting is to quickly respond using the Socratic Method. In otherwords, I will then reply with content and further ask questions. I help them to 'peel back the onion' so to speak.
Hi Jennifer, I agree! We have not required orientation at our institution but are moving to make it a requirement because learners are better prepared and have a better experience if they go through orientation first. Tina
This is a great question, Dr. Stavredes. In order for students to be ready for this instructional format, I feel they need a comprehensive orientation to the Course Management System and tips on being a successful online student prior to the start of any academic classes.
I took a teaching certificate program in online instruction a few years ago. Before the instructors started the program, we were required to take the same online orientation students did. I was amazed how comprehensive and helpful it was! What I especially liked about the orientation was how it disputed a lot of myths students have about online classes. It discussed how online classes aren't necessarily "easier" than traditional face-to-face classes, which is a common misconception many students have. The orientation module also talked about what makes a successful online student. I think students need to have a realistic and honest portrayal of what's involved in an online class if they are to be ready for this type of format.
Hi Stanley, I have done that but learners don't even bother to go back into the discussion to see who has posted to their discussion. I will generally probe learners to go in more detail, so they can earn the most points possible but they still don't respond. Tina
Ask questions about students' posts and then more questions about their responses.
Hi Tommy, what do you feel are the factors that would make them ready for this type of format? Tina
Online teaching can be difficult at times. I've been doing it now for almost 6 years and there are some students that simply aren't ready for this type of format. I've found this to be one of the biggest challenges for me as an instructor.
Tommy
