Communicating effectively online Brad Beach Director – Business and Community Programs GippsTAFE

What makes it work? Distance Education Face to Face Education Non facilitated e-learning Facilitated e-learning

What makes it work?

Learning from Social Media What makes twitter so popular? What makes facebook so popular? Why are TV shows using social media during live events (i.e. Can of Worms)? Good face to face teaching includes the design of discussion points and/or touch points

What does a successful model look like? MondayContent Release discussion topic Release activity TuesdayFacilitation of topics WednesdayFacilitation of topics Possible real time activity ThursdayFacilitation of topics Possible real time activity FridaySummary of topics

Creating an engaging discussion topic Discussion topics should begin with an opening statement/summary A single questions should be asked and provide hints has to aspects which should be discussed Discussion topics are suited to concept debate rather than content clarification Discussion topics have a life span

Discussion Boards vs. Virtual Classrooms Clear concepts which are debatable (discussion boards) Complex concepts which need clarification (virtual classroom)

Voice Online - Facilitation Quicker uptake of this technology than text boards by teachers and students Most feel “strange” about voice boards compared to voice chat and voice It takes longer to read/listen to the posting however it is quicker to reply to postings Deeper level thinking appears to be retained Increased ability to use tone especially complex tones

Voice Online - Facilitation New pedagogies develop as we are now able to easily bundle voice and text. More importantly students are also able to bundle their voice and text. The facilitator needs to quickly develop enough comfort to sound natural and relaxed online Assists with validation of student assessment

Plan - Virtual Classroom Lesson planning is critical Know what your options are e.g., break out rooms, web tours, multi voice discussion, however start with a simple approach Make use of a co-moderator when you start Have test sessions prior to the actual class Be early to set up the room 90 mins sessions seem to be the best length

Plan - Virtual Classroom Don’t talk for more than 15mins Have students complete pre-activities or readings There is very little a student can learn from looking at your face Don’t ask each person to response to the same point – but make sure all have been invited to participate before the end of the session Recap the weeks learning and preview the next weeks learning

Top Tips Remember learning is dialectic Design the conversation and then develop resources to support/inform the conversation Learn about online conflict and how to manage it Learn to monitor the health of an online community

Top Tips Learn to master tone The more human to human interaction the more likely a positive outcome is achieved If you don’t feel connected to the students then they don’t feel connected to you

Thank You Brad Beach Director – Business and Community Programs GippsTAFE