Illinois Online Network Conference Roles & Structures: Organizing Asynchronous Discussions to Promote Interaction Illinois Online Network

Faculty Roles – Some Old, Some New Pedagogical Managerial Social Technical

Roles Activity Let’s begin Activity 2…

Creating Conferences to Hold Messages The physical organization of the conferencing system lays the framework for the discussions that follow.  Building a computer conference is like designing a house.  So much of the activity within the house is influenced by its architecture.”  The design of a floor plan affects the flow of movement in a house.

Structuring Considerations Fewer larger conferences Many smaller conferences

Example Conferences Discussion Questions Research Project Module 1 The Pub The Instructor’s Office

Threaded Messages Conversation 1 Student 1:  How should we begin our project? Student 2:  You can do the research. Student 3:  I will assemble the final paper. Conversation 2 Student 3: Research shows that we must reconsider. Student 1: Yes, you are correct.

Unthreaded Messages Conversations 1 and 2 Student 1:  How should we begin our project? Student 4:  Are you going to the football game? Student 2:  You can do the research.

Structure Activity Let’s begin Activity 3