I learnt about different ways to engage students socially and motivationally. What I found particularly exciting is the ability to create and efficient process for engaging students. I usually require a welcome thread but never really insist on students responding to each other. Students responding to posts from peers wil keep them engaged at the beginning of the class and enhance getting to know their cohort members better. One thing I will do going forward is to insist on responses. I do set a timeline for posting on the welcome thread and introducing themselves, telling us about themselves , 3 interesting facts and I use this during our first virutal meeting. I also play 2 truths and a lie and ask students to guess which is the lie as a form of Ice breaker.
Another piece ot the puzzle in engaging student is the social engagement peiece. Students will thrive when they are socially engaged in an online classroom environment so finding ways to ensure timely responses will ensure that students stay connecting and they feel appreciated as well as getting the value for their bucks.
