Pamela Harris

As the instructor, it is your responsibility  to minimize and deal with behaviors that negatively impact the learning environment.  Our goal should be to provide the necessary support that will enable all students to be successful and receive the learning they seek.

Reply to Marvin Jimenez's post:I currently use discussions in the LMS I use with my students.  Since I'll be leaning more heavily on using the LMS to teach now that we're out until the middle of May, I'm going to also post these guidelines to be used in discussions posts moving forward.

Reply to Diane Kuklinski's post:  I agree.  I don't remember a time when an instructor actively participated either.  I often respond to my students' posts, mainly to let them know I do check to see that they are completing the assignment, and , too, to respond to what their post.

I believe engaging an avoidant student can be done with intentional monitoring to ensure they are participating in the discussion forums and submitting assignments.  Also by responding to a discussion post they provided, perhaps highlighting or referencing a response they provided or even using the chat feature to communicate directly with them. 

From this module I learned that there are two types of discussions, Asynchronous and Synchronous.   Asynchronous discussions are discussions that occur over time and may or not be in real-time, while synchronous discussions are in real-time.  Asynchronous discussions provide a shelter for all students, especially for students who would not typically participate in a discussion in a classroom setting.  I also learned strategies for promoting and monitoring asynchronous discussions, such as providing students with rules for netiquette, posting and monitoring all discussion questions, and providing feedback in a fair and consistent manner.

Participants in Synchronous discussions should be kept… >>>

I learned that it's important that students understand your qualifications and authority as the instructor of this class.  I also learned the importance of establishing your authority by being present and available.  This is accomplished by contributing to discussions and sending reminders.  Then it's also important to develop relationships with students by having them complete a biographical introduction and you communicating and connecting with them through it.

I've learned that an online course should be interactive.  Students should be able to engage in the learning.  I also learned that the instructor should know how to maneuver and operate within the CMS.  I believe it was also conveyed that students should expect timely feedback from their instructor and that communication should be prompt.