"What is 'just right'?"
Instructor participation in online class discussions
by Julie Adams
As you read the text in the left column, post your comments in the column on the right.
(Click on "Edit Page," enter your comments, then click "Save.") Or see, How do I edit a wiki page?
| |
Please post your comment here.
Be sure to sign your name after your comment.
|
| The first time that I taught ED 6447: Seminar in Online Teaching, one of the students expressed an interest in hearing more of my opinions in the class discussions. This suggestion highlights a dilemma for the online instructor. How much should he/she contribute to class discussions? |
|
| A personal experience that influenced my response to this question occurred when I participated in an online workshop. The instructor responded to almost all of my postings at length. This seemed to stifle class discussion. Few of my fellow students replied to my posts after that, and I was discouraged from replying to theirs because of his detailed and rather comprehensive comments. |
|
| When I taught college composition online several years ago, I was much more involved in the discussion, in part because the students were freshmen and needed more guidance. In the ED 6447 class, the articles and textbook that I have chosen for the class are a pretty good indication of my point of view. In addition, the students in the class have done of great job of selfmoderating. There is ongoing discussion involving comments, replies, and effective follow-up questions. When I read their postings, more often than not, I am thinking, "Yeah! Right on!" or "Well said!" I tend to post a reply when no one else has responded to a question within a day or so, or if there seems to be some confusion about a particular point. |
|
| The topic of instructor involvement in online class discussions is an important one for all instructors already teaching online and for those who are considering teaching online. As such, I would ask you to post your opinions on this topic. I have created a forum for this purpose. |
|
| |
|
| Post your response on what you think is "just right" for instructor participation. |
|
| (1) type and level of the class |
Freshmen classes require more instructor participation. Beth Jensen
Not always, it can depend on the type of class. Joe Smith
|
| (2) amount and degree of instructor participation |
It depends on the level of the class. In a seminar, for example, the instructor will probably participate less because the students will carry the discussion. Julie Adams
I agree that finding a balance can be tricky. I too have found that when students discuss suggested topics without too much commentary from me, they seem to enjoy the experience and contribute more freely. Janet Prater
|
| (3) when to participate |
The teacher should participate if a student says something incorrect. Hannah Johnson
|
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.