meaningful discussion activity for online distance learners
DESCRIPTION
ALT-C2013 presentationTRANSCRIPT
Meaningful Online Discussion Activity for Distance Learners
Dr Megan KimeUniversity of [email protected]
@m_kimo
Context• Taught postgraduate programme Applied and Professional Ethics
• Fully online distance learning
• Launched 2010
• 10-20 students per year
• Delivered via institutional VLE (Blackboard Learn 9.1)
• Non-traditional students: mature professionals studying part-time
• Global reach: students based in Europe, North America, Latin America, East Asia, and Africa
ChallengePhilosophy is (still) taught by Socratic methods. How to replicate online?
In order to achieve learning outcomes we need:
• Atmosphere
Open, relaxed, collaboratory, constructive
• Dialogue
Student-student as well as tutor-student
• Critical engagement
With source material, with tutor and student POVs
Initial Approach
IDEAL SOLUTION: live webinar
BUT: Constraints...
• Scheduling (time zones, professional committments etc.)
• Bandwidth and hardware accessibility
• Staff attitudes
OUTCOME:
Online discussion forum activity facilitated by tutor.
Initial Approach
IDEAL SOLUTION: live webinar
BUT: Constraints...
• Scheduling (time zones, professional committments etc.)
• Bandwidth and hardware accessibility
• Staff attitudes
OUTCOME:
Online discussion forum activity facilitated by tutor.
Key Lessons LearntMEANINGFUL STIMULI
• Single, ‘first rung’ question
APPROPRIATE SCHEDULING
• ‘Synchronous asynchronicity’
EXPECTATION SETTING
• Length, tone, audience, and number of responses
Key Lessons LearntMEANINGFUL STIMULI
• Single, ‘first rung’ question
APPROPRIATE SCHEDULING
• ‘Synchronous asynchronicity’
EXPECTATION SETTING
• Length, tone, audience, and number of responses
Key Lessons LearntMEANINGFUL STIMULI
• Single, ‘first rung’ question
APPROPRIATE SCHEDULING
• ‘Synchronous asynchronicity’
EXPECTATION SETTING
• Length, tone, audience, and number of responses
Key Lessons LearntMEANINGFUL STIMULI
• Single, ‘first rung’ question
APPROPRIATE SCHEDULING
• ‘Synchronous asynchronicity’
EXPECTATION SETTING
• Length, tone, audience, and number of responses
INDUCTION, INDUCTION, INDUCTION
