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:

  1. Divide the activity into separate parts or key tasks.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. If using groups, clarify roles and expectations for all group members.
  5. 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.

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...