1. Creating Small Within Large The SLIS 5000 Experience 2007 Redesign Conference

2. Facts and Problems  Introductory class with blended delivery  Heavily dependent on readings-based online discussions  Rapidly growing enrollment (150+)  Critical size of discussion group is 8-12 Need minimum for different viewpoints Beyond maximum, students tend to lose identity  Without leader, discussions drift

3. Current Solution  Randomly generate discussion groups of ten There are ten discussion questions  Assign each student to act as leader for one question  Assign specific, graded, role for leader  Introduced software to allow students to see photo of person posting

4. Group Leader Assignment  Introduce discussion question within 12 hours of opening of the topic Frame the question within the readings  Promote and encourage high-quality discussion Reflect on postings Compare and contrast postings Bring in your own experiences  Summarize the discussion within 24 hours of topic closing

5. Results  More postings  Higher quality postings  Higher participation Phil Turner pturner@unt.edu