WHY HOST ONLINE CLASS DISCUSSIONS WHEN THE KIDS ARE SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU?
While it's obvious why you might need $3000 worth of equipment to talk to a friend on the other side of the world, it may seem silly to plod through a login screen; and to fast-2-finger-type words at kids, you might more easily look straight in the eye...and communicate buckets.
Why Online Class Discussions? They can provide valuable forums where complex content and perspectives are examined, and understood through collaborative processes and knowledge sharing. Students who rarely speak up in class may find this to be a less threatening venue. The discussions can take many forms such as debates, small group work, and case studies, for example.
Here's a terrific model: Applied Science Research Blog
Download these Tip sheets and more from the University of Calgary, shared through the Creative Commons.
- Why continue a class discussion after the school doors are locked?
- Evaluating online discussions
- Marking rubrics
Click for Blog and Wiki subscriptions.
Click for LiveJournal - a communication tool for setting up a social network
*If you have any interesting experiences or tips to share concerning online discussions within your classes, or with others around the world, please add them to the COMMENTS at the bottom of the page,
