Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Ready, Set, Implement!



DIscussion Rubric




Online discussions are essential for many kinds of learning activities.  The success of the activity is dependent on a solid design of the online discussion activities.  In the book excerpt E-Learning by Design (Horton, W., Designing for the Virtual Classroom, E-Learning by Design). Copyright 2006, Horton provides us with guidelines for online discussion activities. Horton mentions six guidelines specifically related to learner success. 
  1. Starting the discussion
  2. Preparing the learners to discuss
  3. Moderating the discussion
  4. Keeping the discussion lively
  5. Challenging shallow thoughts
  6. Handling inappropriate posts
Focusing on the six guidelines above... 

  • Discuss how you plan to apply these guidelines to your next discussion activity.
  • What are some of the challenges you may face in applying these guidelines to your discussion activities? 
  • How will you overcome these challenges?  
By Wednesday:
Post your thoughts and discussion on this weeks discussion board.  Be sure to cite resources used.
By Sunday:
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings. As you read their responses, note those to which you would like to respond with advice, questions, comments, and/or encouragement.
Respond to two or more of your colleagues’ postings to ... 
  • Build on something your colleague said.
  • Explain why and how you see things differently.
  • Ask a probing or clarifying question.
  • Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
  • Offer and support an opinion.
  • Validate an idea with your own experience.
  • Expand on your colleague's posting.
  • Ask for evidence that supports the postings
Resources:
Book Excerpt: E-Learning by Design
(Horton, W., Designing for the Virtual Classroom, E-Learning by Design). Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons Inc. Used with permission from John Wiley & Sons Inc. via the Copyright Clearance Center.