FACILITATING DISCUSSIONS ONLINE Initiating and sustaining a lively

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FACILITATING DISCUSSIONS ONLINE "Initiating and sustaining a lively, productive discussion are among the most

FACILITATING DISCUSSIONS ONLINE "Initiating and sustaining a lively, productive discussion are among the most challenging activities for an instructor" (Davis, 1993) Online Workshop/Webinar Charlie Reis Director PGCert March 2020

WELCOME This session has aims, the main aim is to increase your comfort and

WELCOME This session has aims, the main aim is to increase your comfort and confidence, so it can be participant, rather than facilitator directed. We will cover the basics of online discussions as they differ from face-to-face conversation, focusing on using discussions for student learning.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS SESSION • • Discussions as a learning tool Starting discussions Top

OBJECTIVES OF THIS SESSION • • Discussions as a learning tool Starting discussions Top tips Common challenges

ACTIVITY 1 Please type a few words in our group chat about your thoughts

ACTIVITY 1 Please type a few words in our group chat about your thoughts on: Discussions as a learning activity. Note that it will be difficult for me to talk and type simultaneously, so there might be moments of silence as I reply in writing.

ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US • • To build community and connect

ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US • • To build community and connect with students To share expectations To set the tone To build lasting impressions To demonstrate expertise To model the process of inquiry To teach

ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS • • • To build community To

ONLINE DISCUSSIONS ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS • • • To build community To engage with instructors and peers To build lasting impressions To network To demonstrate understanding and competency To engage in healthy discourse To work in teams To debate To plan To learn

ACTIVITY 2 Please post in our group chat about your thoughts on what discussions

ACTIVITY 2 Please post in our group chat about your thoughts on what discussions should NOT be.

ONLINE DISCUSSIONS SHOULD NOT BE • Filler • Busy work • Insignificant (unrelated to

ONLINE DISCUSSIONS SHOULD NOT BE • Filler • Busy work • Insignificant (unrelated to learning outcomes or classroom management) • A heated disagreement (? ) • A chance for teachers to do most of the talking

STARTING A DISCUSSION Use the chat to tell us how you start a discussion.

STARTING A DISCUSSION Use the chat to tell us how you start a discussion. How do you personally set up discussions for engagement and learning?

STARTING A DISCUSSION Refer to questions you distributed. Make a list of key points.

STARTING A DISCUSSION Refer to questions you distributed. Make a list of key points. Use a partner activity. Use a brainstorming activity. Pose an opening question and give students a few minutes to record an answer. • Divide students into small groups to discuss a specific question or issue. • Pose a controversial issue and organize an informal debate. • • •

STARTING A DISCUSSION Refer to a list of questions. What makes a good question?

STARTING A DISCUSSION Refer to a list of questions. What makes a good question? What are typical questions you ask? What questions are less effective?

STARTING A DISCUSSION Use a partner activity. Ask students to come to the discussion

STARTING A DISCUSSION Use a partner activity. Ask students to come to the discussion with 3 or 4 questions prepared. Start the discussion by having students pair off and alternate asking and answering their questions.

STARTING A DISCUSSION Use a brainstorming activity. Ask students to contribute ideas related to

STARTING A DISCUSSION Use a brainstorming activity. Ask students to contribute ideas related to the discussion topic (no matter how bizarre or farfetched) and write all ideas on the board. After a set period of time or when students have run out of ideas, critically evaluate all the ideas or categorize themes. How do you spark ideas in your classes?

STARTING A DISCUSSION Pose an opening question and give students a few minutes to

STARTING A DISCUSSION Pose an opening question and give students a few minutes to record an answer. The process of writing down their answers will enable students to generate new ideas as well as questions. After they have finished writing, ask for volunteers or call on students to share their ideas. This activity also gives quieter students the opportunity to prepare answers they can share with the group.

STARTING A DISCUSSION Divide students into small groups to discuss a specific question or

STARTING A DISCUSSION Divide students into small groups to discuss a specific question or issue. Be sure to assign explicit questions and guidelines and give the groups a time limit to complete the exercise. Also ask them to select a recorder and/or a reporter who will report back to the entire discussion group.

STARTING A DISCUSSION Pose a controversial issue and organize an informal debate. Group the

STARTING A DISCUSSION Pose a controversial issue and organize an informal debate. Group the students according to the pro or con position they take and ask the groups to formulate 2 -3 arguments or examples to support their position. Write each group's statements on the board and use these as a starting point for discussion.

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Demonstrate expertise • Share real world experience • Connect

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Demonstrate expertise • Share real world experience • Connect to career • Prove you are the expert

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Frame the Discussion • Announcements on expectations • Weekly

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Frame the Discussion • Announcements on expectations • Weekly Shout Outs! • Announcements as wrap ups

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Model the Expectations • • Seed the discussion forum

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Model the Expectations • • Seed the discussion forum Be active and present Quality begets quality Challenge and redirect with respect and inquiry

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Adapt a technique for interaction, such as AAR •

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Adapt a technique for interaction, such as AAR • Ask questions • Affirm understanding • Redirect

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Model disciplinary thinking • • Take the journey with

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Model disciplinary thinking • • Take the journey with the students Engage Motivate Push

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Say something- even when they do not! • Participate

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Say something- even when they do not! • Participate daily or set the expectation • Share resources • Current events make the learning- current

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Recognise learners • • Welcome each and every student

TOP TIPS FOR ONLINE DISCUSSIONS Recognise learners • • Welcome each and every student Call students by name Participate in the conversation and extend it Thank them for their contributions

BEING HUMAN AS A TEACHER WHILE DELIVERING VALUE 1 OF 2 • Your tone

BEING HUMAN AS A TEACHER WHILE DELIVERING VALUE 1 OF 2 • Your tone should fit what you are comfortable with, there is no one best teacher, but all the best teachers seem genuine to students; • Fun is not value; • Value is constantly and consistently moving student towards success demonstrating learning outcomes; • Use tasks not activities to build towards success and increase student academic identity.

BEING HUMAN AS A TEACHER WHILE DELIVERING VALUE 2 OF 2 • You are

BEING HUMAN AS A TEACHER WHILE DELIVERING VALUE 2 OF 2 • You are the model for netiquette; • You are the model for and personification of scholarly activity; • You can coach them on learning in a new environment because you are teaching in one, and link this to disciplinary identity and employability. Now use the chat to discuss, challenge and expand. I would like us to collectively unpack netiquette, scholarly role modelling, and being an example of a growth-mind set in a new learning environment.

SETTING AND MANAGING EXPECTATIONS ONLINE • They will need to know what the course

SETTING AND MANAGING EXPECTATIONS ONLINE • They will need to know what the course expects in terms of learning outcomes and how assessments measure them; • They will probably need a new picture of time management, especially if there is portfolio work; • They will need to know what is mandatory, what is ideal, and what is forbidden in communicating with you and with peers; • They will need to know when and how to communicate with you and when and how you will communicate with them.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STICKING TO COMMUNICATION PLANS ONLINE • It should be clear what

THE IMPORTANCE OF STICKING TO COMMUNICATION PLANS ONLINE • It should be clear what you want and what students have to do; • It should be clear how they will communicate with you and with one another; • It should be clear how you will communicate with them.

COMMON CHALLENGES WITH ONLINE DISCUSSIONS • • Creating Engaging Discussions Building Community Staying Engaged

COMMON CHALLENGES WITH ONLINE DISCUSSIONS • • Creating Engaging Discussions Building Community Staying Engaged Keeping Students Interested Modeling Expectations Clarifying Expectations Hot Button Issues

COMMON CHALLENGES WITH ONLINE DISCUSSIONS

COMMON CHALLENGES WITH ONLINE DISCUSSIONS

REVIEW • • • Discussions as a learning tool Starting discussions Common challenges Top

REVIEW • • • Discussions as a learning tool Starting discussions Common challenges Top tips Q&A

WEB RESOURCES You can always email me at charlie. reis@xjtlu. edu. cn. We have

WEB RESOURCES You can always email me at charlie. reis@xjtlu. edu. cn. We have also created a page for getting started thinking about online pedagogies: https: //ice. xjtlu. edu. cn/course/view. php? id=1605&section=12; for external audiences: https: //connect. xjtlu. edu. cn/view. php? t=ZSG 2 Hc 4 x. PKq. Y 0 my 3 Q 5 Bw.

THANK YOU VISIT US FOLLOW US WWW. XJTLU. EDU. CN @XJTLU

THANK YOU VISIT US FOLLOW US WWW. XJTLU. EDU. CN @XJTLU