The Interrelationship of Encouragement & Confrontation with Online Education

Daniel Eckstein, Donna Eckstein, Chi-Sing Li, and Yu-Fin Lin

Presented at:

• The Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference in San Antonio, TX; March 26-30, 2007.

• The National Technology & Social Science

Conference in Las Vegas, NV; April 6-8,2008.

Online Education

Creating a synergistic effect with two approaches using online tools.

• Dinkmeyer and Eckstein’s definition of encouragement:A process that focuses on the individual’s resources and potential to enhance self-esteem & self-acceptance.

To encourage is to unite dualities such as:

Fear...........CourageMale...........Female Instructor.....Student

Seven Methods of Encouragement

• Role Model• Identifying Strengths & Weakness • Consistency of Support over the

Long Haul • Seeing the Person as Special• Passionate Inspiration• Supporting a Person's Special

Interests• Encouraging Career Choices

Methods of EncouragementApplied to Online Tools:

AnnouncementsCalendar MailGradebook

AssignmentsDiscussionsLearning Modules

The FourDirectionsof Encouragement

1. Downward2. Across3. Upward4. Inward

Confrontation

• “Respectful” Confrontation is paradoxically an essential aspect of encouragement.

• Stroke and Spit (Nikelly, 1971)

• Focus on discrepancy.

Representative OnlineExamples IncludeDiscrepancies between...

What a student says he or she will do and what they actually do

Between your perception of quality and satisfactory work vs. learners with inflated opinions of their work.

Between the research or posted course- room standards and how a learner is unwilling and/or unable to follow standards.

Respectful Confrontation

• Can be constructive criticism. • Does not have to be an aggressive, harsh attack. • Can be done when students are respectfully invited to examine their behaviors, attitudes, and thoughts.

Information & Consent

• Ethical considerations with online education.

• Giving and receiving of facilitative expectations, feedback, and grades need to be stated up front in the syllabus.

Examples of Online Encouragement

• Creative & Critical Thinking Skills• College Level Writing Skills• Active Participation• Effective Time Management Skills

Examples of Online Confrontation

• Plagiarism• Poor Writing Skills• Inactive Participation• Poor Time Management Skills

The Interrelationship of Encouragement & Confrontation

with Online Education

• Plagiarism

• Poor Writing Skills

• Inactive Participation

• Poor Time Management Skills

• Creative & Critical Thinking Skills

• College Level Writing Skills

• Active Participation

• Effective Time Management Skills