1. Best Practices for Online Discussions Distance Learning Workshop March 24, 2004

2. The Continuous Improvement Cycle Design Manage Feedback Set-up Objectives & Framework Expectations & Rules of Engagement Student dialog & teacher workload Evaluation & Recycling

3. Design Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Learning Objectives Role of discussion in an online course Focus on student interaction Information literacy Writing skills Prepare students for virtual teams in the workplace Communication Methods Communication Methods Asynchronous = discussion board (post at different times) Synchronous = chat sessions (meet at the same time) Assessment Assessment Reward for participation Evaluation of participation - quantity and quality

4. Set-up Introductions Instructor to students Instructor to students Instructor to students Instructor to students Students to each other Students to each otherExpectations Clearly define grading criteria and quality guidelines up-front in the syllabus Clearly define grading criteria and quality guidelines up-front in the syllabusgrading criteria grading criteria Define the “community” ground-rules Define the “community” ground-rules Describe and model good online etiquette Describe and model good online etiquette AW guidelines AW guidelines AW guidelines AW guidelines

5. Manage Managing students… Motivating students to participate Motivating students to participate Monitoring student discussions Monitoring student discussions Managing instructor workload Keeping up and letting go Keeping up and letting go Delegating responsibility and authority Delegating responsibility and authority Outreach to non-performers Outreach to non-performers Assessment Assessment

6. Managing Students Compelling discussion topics Open-ended questions Open-ended questions Build your own exam Build your own exam Research and summarize Research and summarize Incentives and rewards Peer pressure Instructor participation in discussions

7. Managing Workload Knowing your work style Setting limits and expectations Take advantage of tools Compile and Sort Compile and Sort Grading Grading Outsource the work Delegate to students Delegate to students Subject Matter Experts Subject Matter Experts Subject Matter Experts Subject Matter Experts

8. Feedback Retrospective reflection Student reflection Student reflection What insights (if any) did you gain from this class? What discussion topic did you find the most engaging? What contributed the most to your learning? What contributed the least to your learning? What suggestions do you have for future classes? Instructor reflection Instructor reflectionRecycling Archiving the Blackboard classroom Archiving the Blackboard classroom Update and design materials based on lessons learned Update and design materials based on lessons learned