DECSC

Presentation & Discussion 10-18-2005

Noon-1pm, room 3902

Scott Hildreth, Astronomy, demonstrated his online course. ?Fostering discussion and interaction in an online science class.?

Some questions to consider:

• How can we ensure that the online class is not viewed as an electronic correspondence course, where students do assignments and email only the teacher?
• How can we open the class up to discussion of topics outside of the textbook, mirroring the exchange that is more typical in an on-campus class?
• How can we assess contributions and participation and allot appropriate credit without compromising academic rigor and necessity to demonstrate mastery?

Techniques:

• Set expectation for logging in 2x per week, explain in syllabus, reinforce with email and GRADEBOOK
• Clarify that you will not reset tests taken in the last hour before the deadline
• Make sure everything is posted online so there are no excuses
• Give larger percentage weight in overall class grade for ongoing participation (25%)
• Check using Blackboard STATISTICS tool (Control Panel)
• Offer lots of opportunities to contribute
  • Reading & Homework Q's
  • Quiz question review
  • Current Events
  • Prompted inquiry
  • Give a choice between group and individual work
• Require review of at least two other students' work with every homework assignment
• Prompt discussions with anonymous questions if they aren't asking what you expect they should
• Assign group work
  • Methods of group formation (random, assigned leaders, based on past participation)
  • Assign or suggest roles: coordinator, questioner, collector & collator
  • Results
• To grade discussion, sort by student (you can archive discussions)
• Grade student discussion postings as a whole
• Ask, "How are you doing?"

Current & Continuing Struggles

• Overloaded students with underachieving study skills
• Registration and 1st week enrollment; how many adds to take, how to deal with latecomers
• Insufficient, ineffective, or inaccessible resources for non-textual learners (Audio, Video)