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

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

3. Roles Activity
Let’s begin Activity 2…

4. 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.

5. Structuring Considerations
Fewer larger conferences
Many smaller conferences

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Structure Activity
Let’s begin Activity 3