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

Rapport in the Classroom: Responses and Respect

From: http://learningandteaching.dal.ca/taguide/RapportiClassroom.htm

Students are often very hesitant to speak out in class. Questions go unasked and unanswered, students remain silent because they are afraid to lose their self-esteem by being put down in front of their classmates.

Here are some hints for creating a more open, rewarding, and responsive classroom environment.


1. Listen to what students say without comment. Use eye contact, non-verbal cues such as a nod, and facial expression to indicate that you're interested.

2. Don't dismiss student comments with a vague phrase such as "uh-huh," or "okay."

3. Don't interrupt student comments or responses.

4. Try to incorporate student comments and responses into your material.

5. Encourage students to respond to each other by inviting them to comment on a remark a classmate has made.

6. Write good responses or comments on the board to emphasize the value of student contributions to your class.

7. If you are not sure what a student is asking, ask some questions which will help you clarify. Don't say, "I don't understand what you mean."

8. If you cannot answer a question, be frank with the class. Ask for help; maybe one of the students can give an example to help you out.

9. Repeat and paraphrase student answers. This shows that you were listening, helps you check that you understood what the student meant, and ensures that everyone in class hears what was said.

10. Never try to capitalize on students' confusion by ridiculing or joking about incorrect responses. "Humour" of that kind is bound to backfire and create the very kind of inhospitable climate that you are trying to avoid.

11. Never deter questions by saying, "Well that was really straightforward. I don't suppose there are any questions, are there?" You can bet there won't be.