Lori,
These are all terrific engagement techniques, especially when used in conjunction with one another. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Nancy,
Providing that incentive for the 'extra' is a great motivational tool for those few who will go beyond. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I am just tickled pink when my students go beyond the minimum requirements. Just like in life, only a handful of my students will go beyond the minimum. Our grading rubrics have ways to reward student that go beyond the minimum.
Reminders to the announcements section and use of discussion board reminders in Live Chat's. I also try to send them personal notes as well. I encourage my students who participate actively to engage other students as well.
Waqar,
You are on the right track. The open-ended questions are one of the best ways to guide your students in the organization of the thoughts. Keep up the good work.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I have found that an open-ended follow-up question usually works. I wanted to ask a question to you and the group: sometimes asynchronous discussion actually encourages rapid fire "this is what I'm feeling right now" posts. How do you get students to actually organize their thoughts and be more concise?
Stephanie,
Yes, as long as instructor's posts do not overrun the students' postings. Additionally, asking carefully constructed questions to encourage collaboration among students and deeper investigation into the content is a worthwhile effort.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Through posting numerous times within the discussion. Asking students to expand their thought process.
Carol,
Excellent recommendation. I'm glad to hear of your success with it. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
One of the strategies I've liked is to post the topic in parts. Students already have the rubric, they know that the expectation is to have at least one comment per topic(part) and one response to another student in each. It seems that this often encourages multiple responses on the same topic and seems to pull those bench-sitters off the bench.
Roy,
Agreed, but sometimes that message (and the required nuances) can be more difficult to deliver as appropriately in the online environment. Good contribution. Thanks.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
That is true, but we need to realize that ALL students, whether in class or online, CAN behave that way. Some will do only the required minimum, and whatever your solution to the physical class student is, you can also apply to the online student.
Thanks
Roy
Mariya,
I concur with your approach. Highlighting, summarization and clarification are the primary responsibilities of the teacher in the discussion forum. Allowing the students to explore and converse in THEIR discussion forum with only guidance by instructor is an important step in empowering them to take responsibility for their engagement in the course. Well stated. Thank you for your insights.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In my online course discussion assignments are very important. The way I participate in online discussions is by taking a bigger part of student's discussions, primarily so they would know if they were on the right track.
I post at least one message in every group discussion room during every group assignment.
I let them know when they are on the right track.
I highlight important points made during discussion.
I question students about their understanding or ask them to clarify remarks they have made or expand on certain ideas
I correct misconceptions/misunderstandings.
I provide direct instruction if students appear to be struggling to understand material.
Claudia,
Thank you for your considered feedback. This is very helpful to the process. I hope these procedures are useful to you in the future for classes you facilitate.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In taking the online courses for maxknowledge, I am encouraged to participate because the discussion questions are interesting and varied and there is a box on the requirements that must be checked before I am considered done. I think this is a good strategy. Also,I am not considered done unitl my participation is evaluated. This too is a good strategy.
Dalene,
Most excellent! I do remember some of our philosophical jaunts - greatly appreciated. The multifaceted approach to support a focal point of communication can be very successful. Well done.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Dalene,
Excellent recommendation! Specific and open-ended is a strong combination in the Socratic process. Very nice.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Joe - sometimes you must provide an example for your students so they will fully understand the meaning of "substantive." I am sure you know that there are those who do not fully appreciate what level they are to write to.
There have been occasions that I had to provide a writing sample, or to post actual questions to the student when they post unsubstantive discussions. For example, in my Business law class, I sometimes have to ask the students "what specific law does this scenario address?" or "can you provide a case study that illustrates the use of this statute?" I find that specifics helps the students to appreciate the meaning of "substantive."
This is certainly a challenge, Dr. V! In fact, you and I have discussed this before as I am sure you will remember. (smiley face here)
I find that the students do not even look at the discussion forums after they have done their minimum postings, and do not even review responses from classmates or from me. What I have done is send them an email in the classroom, asking that they review my response and a specific response from a student (providing a name if available) and let them know I will be looking for their answer. This provides them another place where they get a message from me, and they then know that I'm thoroughly engaged in their dialogue, and other classmates are as well, and I find they are more inclined to respond to my responses! I word my emails in a non-threatening manner, making it comfortable to "talk" to me and to their classmates. Call it a "poke" message (to use a term in what is now mainstream in pop culture) and students seem very enthusiastic to respond.
Yes, this takes more time, but I send these emails after I post responses to each student, individually, just opening the email and referencing the discussion forum I want them to review. The effort is well worth it because I then get robust and lively dialogue from more students that would normally participate at this level.
