I definitely agree with you with respect to this challenge. Where I currently teach, the DB policy was adhered last year so first posting of students is due on Wednesday and the other two posting are due post wednesday so the students has to participate at least 2 to 3 days of the week. However, I noted that even though this help it does not solve the problem of no more particpation after the required ones are met. I have come to realized that in some cases I tried to provide a 24 hours turn around on comments to the discussion board and guidance with respect to the conversations taking place and other students comments. I also address each student posting individually if needed with respect to any distance from the discussion on hand and provide them detail of what they have not address with respect to the assignment requirements. I also have found that certain open ended questions to details posting to some of the students, encourage the conversation and participation. In some cases I request examples of what they are discussing. When a couple of students has posting that are not focus on the requirement, I tend to provide a positive feedback commenting on what needs to be address and why it is important instead of saying that the posting is completly off. Some students participate addressing personal experiences which make it great for encouraging interest and participation. I even mention personal examples of my own experiences. When they feel involved as part of the topic on hand, it is easier to extend or encourage the thinking and intended outcomes or goals of the discussion.
This is a huge frustration because many students do the minimum. After posting a follow up question that pushes the student to expand their answer, I seldom get a response. I'm wondering if it should be a requirement that one of their responses should be to the instructor. This could be hard to keep track of but just an idea. The other idea is to send an email to the individual student but then the rest of the class wouldn't gain anything from that....
Thomas,
Your identified technique seems to be an optimal approach toward facilitating student-to-student engagement and expanding the learning to real-world application. Very good. Thank you for sharing this perspective.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Actually as a facilitator of the discussions, I believe that I need to check in on the group various times during the week to ascertain how they are progressing. If I see that they need a "jumpstart" I will chime in with an example from my past experience as a Vice President to try and bring some real world application to the topic for that week.
Tom
Jeannette,
Agreed. You have stated some extremely important points about teaching today's adult learner online. Thank you for your insightful contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Elizabeth,
Very good. This is one of the best.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
A great way to keep students engaged and coming back is by asking follow-up questions and assigning small readings to encourage them to delve deeper.
The importance of the types of questions asked and the training of what types of responses are required are critical in this area. Students need to be provided minimum expectations and then held to them. Rubrics should be created and distributed to ensure communication of expectations is clear. We must, however, keep in mind that the average online student has a life and sometimes just making the minimum is perfectly fine for success given the possibility of 3 jobs, single parenting, and work overload. Showing encouragement without bias is a strong approach.
Jennifer,
Most definitely. Inclusion of audiovisual components can often significantly enhance student participation and engagement. Multiple postings of information that can be cross referenced by the student is often very helpful, as well. It sounds like you are well on your way to "creating" an excellent online learning experience for many students.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Engaging adult learners in my current position has been so easy in comparison to the teens I have taught in the past. From teaching teenagers, I learned the master skill of avoidance and cliff-noting. Since I have not yet taught online, I am clearly not an expert in this. However, I am thinking the idea I read about multiple postings for the same thread and rubrics to back this up as viable options to keep the avoidant learner committed. Perhaps including video clips within the chat which would have to be watched in order to respond effectively to the chat prompt is another idea.
Melissa,
The facilitator's watchful eye is a strong motivator for most students. By providing the rubric you let them have confidence in your expectations. Additionally, your nudge at the right time can be a powerful encouragement. Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
For my discussion forums I have student's provide an initial post for the topic of the week. I then have them provide reaction posts to their peers. The most information posted along with correct APA formatting the higher their scores. I provide each student prior to class the grading structure for discussion forums so that everyone understands what is expected. I also encourage students to provide their initial post by midweek for bonus points to allow their peers to absorb in the information and post a response. I would say on a whole I see the majority of my students going beyond the minimum requirements. For those that I see are doing the minimum I respond to their posts to engage more of a conversation. By doing this I feel better that they understand the week's topic.
Annabel,
Providing examples is a great modeling method for online. Then encourage with questions for deeper engagement from the students. Excellent method.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Hello,
My role will be to facilitate the discussions and ensure that the students stay on task. In order to encourage substantive participation, I typically post an announcement providing students with a clarification of what "substantive" means. In addition, I provide examples of substantive comments. As a facilitator it will be important to foster critical thinking and to further discussion. I will use various techniques to do this. I will ask questions, refer to the course reading and supplemental material, and provide my own experiences.
Gregory,
I like your rubric for evaluating the post and providing the student the oportunity to evaluate it. Thank you for sharing your insights. Excellent contributions.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
These are some great questions. I believe the role of the instructor is to facilitate or as I like to say "quarterback" the flow of the discussion. I do this by asking follow-up questions to students' posts or simply by commenting on a statement made. In order to encourage substantive participation, I lead by example. I ask the students the following questions:
1. Does the posting contribute to the overall discussion thread that is being developed?
2. Does the posting add value to the discussion, or is it simply a response to provide a post?
3. Does the posting expand on the main them of the discussion question?
In order to focus the conversation, I will reitterate my first statement (I "quarterback" the discussion). Whenever, it is going off track, I will usually say..."good point; however,....).
John,
Modeling respect and consideration in this fashion provides an excellent positive example. Well done.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I would encourage participation to the best of my ability by recognizing the student's time is valuable and I have to make it worthwhile for them to participate.I would solicit guidance for a forum like this because this has to be the most challenging and frustrating part of e learning. Our expectations are not always consistent with the students.
Astrid,
You have stated well the challenge before us. Do you have any particular strategies or tools that are especially effective in this effort? Thank you for sharing your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
we have to continously engage the students in a more fun and realistic discussion to the point that they get challenge and keep them occupied at the same time
