I like the idea of calling the message board Coffee Shop or Cafe. It subtly implies that it's a cool place to check in and hang out. My school does have a policy against Facebook, but we do use YouTube for students to submit their speeches for Interpersonal Communications. It actually works really well as a communication technology tool. Word is the students now refer to COMM as the YouTube class.
What other tools, other than the threads and possible photos do you use to "humanize" the online classroom? I think some people think virtual is synonymous with anonymous, but I don't think it has to be that way.
Melinda ,
Building that community and helping students engage in the learning process is so essential. Keep up the good work.
Yes, I do something similar. I believe it can foster a sense of community in an otherwise sterile environment. I always begin with an instructor bio, and then I let the students introduce themselves. Some platforms I use even have the capability to upload photos, so students, and instructors can actually see the other people.
Kevin,
Even though I have BlackBoard at my institution, I have developed Facebook groups for my classes and communicated with them through FB and used it as a discussion board as well. However, at the end of the course, my students told me they preferred BBoard for course communication and work and FB for socializing. Each group of students, however, is different. I think it is good to try new things. Thanks for your input.
I teach the dynamic aspects of platforms like Facebook in a course called Social Media Marketing but I do not use the platform to communicate with students.
Each institution I have taught at either has Blackboard or a similar communication platform that is far more appropriate to use as a tool to communicate with students.
Unfortunately I think it will be some time before our students can view Facebook as something other than a platform for self-marketing and intel gathering. :)
Stephanie,
Cool. Anything like a coffee cafe or something students can relate to is helpful in getting them to talk with each other. It helps build that community and sounds like you are involved as well. Nice job.
I set up a discussion in my classroom called "coffee shop" where students can go to chat or ask random questions.
I also set up a discussion with a random question for students to chime in on.
I make sure to check these threads at least once a day to be sure I can interject and offer feedback in that area.
This seems to help build a bit of a community conversation.
Andrew,
Many schools do block Facebook, but there are other Facebook-like networking sites that my be available. OR Just check out whatever good discussion board areas you can use to keep students engaged.
Thanks!
It's a little difficult because our school has a policy against talking to students on Facebook, even though I think it would be a great tool for communication.
Diana,
I have tried Facebook and Twitter in my hugh online class. I had over 220 students. We also use Blackboard as a learning management system.
I set up a discussion board in Blackboard as normal and also develop a group in Facebook just for the class. I set it up so that students would have to ask permission to be in the Facebook group. If they were in the class, I let them in the group. But, this prevented just anyone in Facebook to get into our discussion group. That worked well.
I allowed for discussions in Blackboard or Facebook. It was the students' choice. I had more students use Blackboard and tell me they think about school work in Blackboard rather than Facebook.
But, those that did use the Facebook (about 30-40 students out of the 220+) liked the Facebook experience and asked many questions.
It's always good to ask students what they prefer. Otherwise you end up duplicating your efforts and spending a lot of time in several different places. Hope that helps.
