Improving In-class Discussions
- Priming
Avoid the slow process of generating in-class discussion. Instead, require your students to send you brief responses to assigned readings via email before class. Then use those responses to give your students a place to start the discussion. For example: "Melissa, you had an interesting reaction to the first article. . . can you elaborate on that for everyone?" then "Jeremy, Melissa's argument seems counter to what you said--how would you respond to her view?" Instantly debate is in motion, and you can continue drawing other students in from what they wrote in their emails.
- Integrating
When a student asks a good question or makes a good point via email, be sure to remark upon it to everyone during class. This public recognition can encourage that student to speak up in class, as well. Furthermore, it sends the message to everyone that email is a legitimate way to get in touch with you, which can encourage students to ask you questions via email that they might not feel were "worth" the trouble of finding you during office hours.
- Reinforcing
Undergraduate schedules are very fragmented. Capitalize on the continuity that electronic communication can create for your students between class meetings. If you think all your students could benefit from the answer to a question asked by one, email the answer to everyone. Send brief reminders about upcoming deadlines, activities or schedule changes.
- Generating and Facilitating Engaging and Effective Online Discussions (PDF
324K
)
Many experts on student-centered online learning agree that the discussion board is the place where some of the most important learning can happen. But as teachers and facilitators, we have to find ways to support students in "driving" that learning.
- Using Blackboard for Assessment (PDF
533K
)
Blackboard offers two online assessment features instructors can use to facilitate better discussion, assess lecture clarity, highlight key information from readings, for evaluations and more.
