Online Learning: Course Communication

From http://www.sjc.cc.nm.us/pages/2851.asp (Be sure to click on the link for the full article -- detailed information for each point listed below, as well as the research that backs it all up.)

• Establish clear goals for classroom or virtual communications, and share these with your students
• Incorporate electronic discussion forums into course design
• Encourage peer-to-peer interaction between students
• Devise a plan for using conscious questioning to encourage, initiate, and guide student discussion
• Use cooperative learning techniques for small group learning activities
• Place students into small groups of 2-4 members (mixed gender and ability) for problem-solving and discussion-oriented activities
• Provide students with strategies for working in groups
• Use collaborative learning to support asynchronous discussion
• For effective discussion teaching, encourage a partnership between the students and instructor, encourage the evolution of a learning community, form an alliance with students, and manage the content and process
• Use good listening skills to be sensitive to the messages being sent and to the multiple dimensions of what participants have to say, and to show respect for participants and their contributions. Create opportunities for participants to develop these skills as well
• Use effective questions, listening, and response to manage discussion
• Help students develop class participation skills