TWOWAY COMMUNICATION: ELECTRONIC DISCUSSIONS CHAPTER SIX THE POWER OF eLEARNING

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TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION ELECTRONIC
DISCUSSIONSCHAPTER SIXTHE POWER OF eLEARNING

• Workshop Presentation
• Friday, June 30, 2006
• By Khadijah O. Miller, Ph.D.
• Department of Interdisciplinary Studies

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Overview of Presentation/Chapter 6

• Electronic Discussions (overview)
• Forums
• Chats
• Planning and Administering Discussions
• Facilitating Discussions
• Types of Discussions
• Examples from Khadijah Millers experiences

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Electronic Discussions

• Electronic Discussions are among the most
  powerful communication tools in elearning.
• Promote Critical Thinking
• Promote Active Learning
• Promote/Encourage Higher Levels of Blooms
  Taxonomy (in particular, application, analysis,
  synthesis and evaluation).

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Electronic Discussions

• Definition
• A two-way communication used in elearning allows
  students to engage each other and/or the
  instructor in interactive learning in the
  timeless virtual world of the Internet.
• Types Synchronous and Asynchronous AKA, Forums
  and Chats

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Electronic Discussions Forums and Chats

• Forums are ordinarily asynchronous (which removes
  the element of time constraints anytime,
  anyplace learning).
• Chats are synchronous (meaning that everyone
  meets virtually at the same time, regardless of
  location).

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Benefits of Discussions Forums

• Support Convenient communication
• As well as encourage active learning
• Encourage thoughtful responses
• As well as provide additional time for
  reflection, analysis and proofreading
• Build community
• As well as develop valuable interactive skills
• Create a permanent record of student responses
• As well as assist in measurement and assessment
  of facilitating skills

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Challenges of Discussions Forums

• Lack of Human Contact
• Time Requirement
• Students with Poor Attitudes (in course site or
  classroom)
• Students with poor writing, spelling and
  grammatical skills
• Fear of Public writing
• Number of Participants
• Work loadFacilitator Frustration
• Technical Difficulties

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Netiquette, Emoticons and Acronyms

• Netiquette a term commonly associated with
  two-way computer communications basically
  etiquette for the Net.
• Provides guidelines about what is acceptable and
  non-acceptable behavior in electronic discussions
  and similar communication transactions, e.g.,
  email. (see page 126, figure 6.3)

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Netiquette, Emoticons, and Acronyms

• Emoticons symbols used to convey emotions in
  online communications. Dont suggest we useneed
  to maintain an academic setting. (see pg. 127,
  figure 6.4)
• Acronyms simply, an abbreviation for a phrase or
  clause. Dont suggest we useexcept for common
  terms, e.g., NSU or ASAP, not CUL8R. (see pg.
  127, figure 6.5)

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Facilitating, Planning and Administering
Electronic Discussions

• A Successful Discussion
• is A
• Well-Planned Discussion

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Facilitating, Planning and Administering
Electronic Discussions

• Explain expectations, appropriate and
  inappropriate responses
• Provide clear instructions for each discussion
• Phrase topics and questions clearly
• Establish and enforce policies (length,
  deadline/dateline, credit, etc.)
• Alert students to time expectations
• Give assignments realistically and relative to
  workload.

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Categories of Discussion Topics

• To promote critical thinking
• To summarize and clarify
• To introduce or prepare for new topics/subjects
• FAQ Discussions
• Homework Discussions
• Get Help/Online Tutoring (student/student and
  facilitator/student)

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Categories of Discussion Topics

• Homework discussions
• Guest speaker discussions
• Mentoring discussions
• Field Experience discussions
• Small Group Meeting discussions
• Discussions to quiz students
• Discussions for role-play
• Water fountain discussions

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Examples of Electronic Discussions

• Some Favorites
• Emogene Vaughn-Johnsons discussion boards for
  intellectual wellnessincludes a spiritual café
  and student-to-student tutoring/study sessions.
• Enrique Zapateros live chat discussions5 hours
  once a weekwith graphs, power points and soon to
  add audio!

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MORE Examples of Electronic Discussions

• Khadijah Millers weekly discussion boards
  (serves as homework assignments)
• Discussion Boards also include Getting to Know
  You board, FAQ Board, Wrap Up board, and Purely
  discussion board (student directed to post what
  they want).
• Live chats are 3-4 per semester, used as review
  sessions, to introduce new topics, and touch
  base with students who may feel disconnected.

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What Do You Think?

• Questions, Answers, Comments
• Thank you for Your Attention!