Say What?!?Ensuring Everyone has a Voice

during Online Course Discussions

Say What?!?Ensuring Everyone has a Voice

during Online Course Discussions

Joni Dunlap & Patrick Lowenthal, UCDCOLTT 2009

Joni Dunlap & Patrick Lowenthal, UCDCOLTT 2009

Say What?!?Say What?!?How can I keep learners engaged from start to finish?

How do I get learners to “talk”?

How can I avoid it all being tedious?

How can I avoid discussions being seen as busywork?

How do I track learners’ discussions?

Three-Pronged Approach

Three-Pronged Approach

Preparing for sharing

Getting our collective feet wet

Off without a hitch

Balancing voices

It’s a wrap!

StepsSteps

I lived in Saudi Arabia as a youth

My first car was a white 1966 Barracuda with red leather interior

I have been a vegetarian for 25+ years

I was a member of the road crew for the Grateful Dead from 1989-1991

I used to produce and direct on-air pledge drives for public television

I was held up at gun point and had my car stolen as the get-away vehicle

http://voicethread.com/share/535997/

Soundtrack ofYour Life

Soundtrack ofYour Life

Virtual Paper BagVirtual Paper Bag

Preparing for sharing

Getting our collective feet wet

Off without a hitch

Balancing voices

It’s a wrap!

StepsSteps

Three reasons why the author is dead wrong

All we need to know about teaching we can learn from skateboarders

Technology replaces teachers (or, Teachers throw technology out the window)

Students just aren’t as dedicated as they used to be

Social interaction isn’t possible in self-paced online training

Neil Postman once wrote, “Computers are merely ingenious devices to fulfill unimportant functions. The computer revolution is an explosion of nonsense.”

Do you agree or disagree with Postman?

Neil Postman once wrote, “Computers are merely ingenious devices to fulfill unimportant functions. The computer revolution is an explosion of nonsense.”

Why do you think Postman wrote this? What evidence do you believe he would reference to support his perspective? What would you say to change his mind, or at least present an alternative perspective? What is your viewpoint, and why?

Please review these “successful online learner” questionnaires, and respond to the following questions:

What do they measure?

What do the results mean?

What are we supposed to do with this information as educators? For example, should we only enroll learners who meet these criteria?

Based on these questionnaires, are you a good candidate for online education? Why or why not?

Two of my chief concerns about teaching online have been…

1.Keeping students engaged and connected with the course and course activities, and

2.How much time it takes to keep students engaged and connected with the course and course activities.

What is your number one concern about teaching online? What ideas do you have for addressing the concerns shared by me (above) or shared by others in this forum?

Preparing for sharing

Getting our collective feet wet

Off without a hitch

Balancing voices

It’s a wrap!

StepsSteps

Some BasicsSome BasicsGroup size, deadlines

Assigned roles

Limit number and length

Wait to step in

Allow learners to select topics

Asking extension questions

Acknowledging contributions

Power of ProtocolsPower of Protocols

Prescriptive; roles & responsibilities

Time and space

Equitable, respectful, meaningful

The Final PostThe Final PostGroups of 3-6

Each learner posts a quote from the text + 350 words about the quote

Group members respond with 250 words

Originator reacts to the responses (250 words)

The Last PostThe Last PostGroups of 3-6

Each learner posts a quote from the text without commenting on the quote

Group members comment with 250 words

In 250 words, originator’s “last word” incorporates original interest with learning from reading group members’ comments

Designated ReadersDesignated ReadersEach learner takes on the role of the designated reader.

Designated reader does not contribute (except to ask for clarification of someone else’s posting).

Designated reader is responsible for summarizing the online discussion.

Rotating ThreadsRotating ThreadsSet up discussion forums, with a different provocative issue to discuss in each forum.

In groups of 4-5, have learners rotate to a new forum. Timing = e.g., Forum A on Monday, Forum B on Tuesday, and so on.

Each group records their ideas about the issue.

Once complete, learners revisit forums to see what other groups posted.

Give Learners ResponsibilitiesGive Learners

Responsibilities

Other ideas?

Preparing for sharing

Getting our collective feet wet

Off without a hitch

Balancing voices

It’s a wrap!

StepsSteps

“If she wants two posts a week, I’ll give her two posts a week.”

“If she wants two posts a week, I’ll give her two posts a week.”

A-Ha Points...A-Ha Points...

0 points: Though you may have introduced an interesting idea or contributed to the discourse, it is not original enough, or is somehow unclear.

1 point: You provide a succinct, interesting, original, and well-documented argument or idea, or provide a useful link or pertinent fact.

2 points: Your contribution is creative and original, and compellingly argues a very clear point. You support your contribution with evidence.

Other Closing IdeasOther Closing Ideas

Summarizing

Reflecting

Summary ScriptingSummary Scripting

Summary CloudsSummary Clouds

Preparing for sharing

Getting our collective feet wet

Off without a hitch

Balancing voices

It’s a wrap!

Steps in the ProcessSteps in the Process

Thank youThank you