Following the Rules: Meaningful versus Perfunctory Interaction
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CDLT PreConference Symposium: Best Practices in Distance Learning or Technology for Adult Learners
Presentation Format Requested
CDLT PreConference Only: Concurrent (20 to 45 minutes)
Session Abstract
This session presents best practices for creating engaging online community, with a focus on how this can be achieved through meaningful interactive discussions. In particular, we investigate the structure of online discussions, including: (1) the prompt (2) expectations and guidelines, (3) incentives, (4) instructor facilitation, and (5) tone of interactions.
Target Audience
The primary target audience participant for this session includes educators and instructional designers who are interested in engaging students and building community through the use of online discussions. Building community in all classes is essential, as learning is a social enterprise; so when designing learning activities we must ensure we create opportunities for learners to participate in meaningful interaction with their peers. This session is designed to provide educators and instructional designers with a structure for designing discussions online created to optimize the learning achieved through meaningful interaction.
Learning Outcomes
Participants in this session will be able to:
1. Identify the five elements required to optimally structure an online discussion to foster meaningful interaction.
2. Describe the importance of fostering online community by creating engaging discussions.
3. Develop community by creating meaningful interactions through the implementation of optimally structured discussion.
Session Description
A number of studies suggest that discussion boards, when optimally structured, are a useful tool in promoting meaningful interaction and the development of community in the online classroom (Clark-Ibanez and Scott, 2008; Misanchuk, Anderson, Craner, Eddy, and Smith, 2000; Brown, 2002, Palloff and Pratt, 2005; Hoey, 2017). The structural elements of a discussion board can be classified regarding their ability to promote or obstruct community.
In this session we will explore the five elements that comprise optimally structured discussions.
(1) The discussion prompt. Is the prompt open-ended and thought-provoking, or straightforward and non-thought-provoking?
(2) Discussion board expectations and guidelines. These outline the what, when, and how of interactions within the discussion thread.
(3) Incentives for participation. Enhancing a student’s grade for robust, meaningful participation, for example.
(4) Instructor facilitation and guidance. This can be achieved through participation within the discussion thread, feedback outside of the thread, or both.
(5) The tone of interactions. Do discussions maintain a causal, social tone that encourages participation from all students in the online classroom?
Format & Technique
The session will begin with an exploration of various structures for discussions in online classes. The five elements necessary to creating meaningful interactions within discussions will then be presented along with research to support the importance of optimally structuring discussions. Examples of optimally and suboptimally structured discussions will be discussed. Finally, participants will create their own optimally structured discussions designed to create meaningful interactions and promote community in the online classroom.