Discussion: Converting Discussion and Group Activities
Part 1: Individual Work
Briefly note the discussion or group activities that currently work well in your face-to-face classroom.
Choose one of these discussion or group activities to discuss with your colleagues.
Part 2: Compare and Share
Create and share a plan for translating your activity to an online deliver format. Note that there are several key steps to keep in mind when moving classroom discussion and group activities online:
- Divide the activity into separate parts or key tasks.
- Set guidelines or milestone due dates for key tasks -- especially for those which are dependent on pre-existing work or knowledge prior to students moving on to the next task.
- Expand the time allowed to complete each of the tasks. A classroom activity that takes twenty minutes may take several days in an online class to allow students time to post, synthesize information, and respond to others.
- If using groups, clarify roles and expectations for all group members.
- Also make plans to assign students to groups and roles at the start of the activity. Allowing students to self-select groups and/or roles can waste valuable time to complete the activity.
Use the discussion and group models as a guide. Post your plan for your colleagues.
Part 3: Respond
Respond to at least two other participants with observations or constructive comments about their activity plans.
- Does the amount of work seem reasonable for the time allowed?
- Would students have enough time to compose and initial comment and respond to others in the time allowed?
- Are expectation and roles clear?
- As a student, would you ask any additional questions prior to starting the activity?
Part 4: Final Comment
After participating in the discussion, select a posting by another participant that moved you, triggered an idea, or caused you to think about group and discussion activities in a different way. Answer the following prompt in a final post to this discussion:
I appreciated ___________'s comment on ___________ because it made me...