As an e- learning instructor I need to identify the students’ learning styles focusing on the ones that would need more encouragement to succeed in the e-learning environment such as: the avoidant, the competitive and the dependent styles. Knowing this I need to follow the general guidelines on how to meet the challenge of encouraging online participation.
Participation on a asynchronous discussions will be used when delivering very important course content or for whole group activities in order to promote interaction among learners. Participation on synchronous discussions will be used for individual or small group meetings.
Rubrics are important for the discussion thread so everyone has clear expectations of what is expected.
We have been giving lectures by Zoom. Apparently, this is not ideal. I much better liek the idea of having a recorded lecture, then having a group discussion of the lecture in another time, potentially in smaller groups.
I've learned that it's important to maintain a communication with the students that inflects positive emotion with emoji's & well placed humor.
Asynchronous discussion forums allow all students to participate. It allows them time to think about their responses and it allows them to more easily follow the discussion. Synchronus discussions can go to rapidly for student to process and participate fully regarding the topic.
I see the importance of asynchronous and synchronous discussions in an online class. Students need to comfortable and supported using either style of discussion.
One of the reasons I enjoy engaging in discussion forums is it does allow students to be more "deliberate and detailed in composing their contributions." It's great when students decided to respectfully challenge what classmates say and take time to support their beliefs. It is joyous when the discussions go far beyond the due date because students have lots to share with their classmates.
This section reminds me that when engagement happens, don't interrupt, this is our (student and instructor) time to learn.
The importance of student's interactions with each other using these different methods of communication and how effective feedback from the instructor can be.
Yes I have always felt that synchronous meetings are used to accomplish more than they should. Asynchronous works much better. Now having said that, I do feel like there are times for synchronous meetings as well but more just to build a sense of community.
I have used discussion boards in my curent coutse and they have definitely been useful in promoting exchange if ideas amongst my students and I will continue to use them
Techniques and strategies to accommodate participation in both synchronous and asynchronus discussions were useful
Responses must be timely. I also like that using emojis and abbreviations are encouraged as a way to communicate.
Learned how to develop a chat room with students to enable them to participate effectively and for the instructor get proper feedback from the session.
I learned when to use asynchronous and synchronous discussions in an online course. I also liked the idea of only responding to larger topics as an instructor as compared to each individual, to increase collaboration and communication amongst course participants.
I learned the pros and cons of synchronous and asynchronous discussions. I look forward to implimenting both and learning how and when to use each more affectively.
It is good to promote participation and encouragement.
I've always thought that the use of "LOL," smiley faces, etc. was unprofessional to use in email communication, so I felt these should be avoided in online discussions. However, I'm learning that students may feel more connected, less intimidated, and better able to understand each other's intent with these allowed. I feel that I should specify which "tone" I would like for different assignments (i.e. conversational/emojis allowed versus professional) to incorporate different types of communication.
In Module 3, my main take aways are the benefits of asynchronous and synchronous discussions and the red flags to avoid when utilizing synchronous discussions. I plan to implement the strategies for effectiveness that were reviewed and I will definitley be soliciting feedback from my students.
Feedback should be worded in way to encourage participation, confidence, and motivation. Feedback should also be constructive criticism if there is a need.
Knowing that everyone learns differently, using asynchronous and synchronous discussions will allow everyone the opportunity to participate. As teachers, we like for our students to participate and they learn in the process.
