Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:935] Guiding Online Discussions/Online Teaching Reference
From: Brent Muirhead (bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu)
Date: Sat 20 Jan 2001 - 22:11:58 MET
From: "Brent Muirhead" <bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:935] Guiding Online Discussions/Online Teaching Reference Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 16:11:58 -0500
Greetings Colleagues!
Dr. Diane Ehrlich observes that "the class is project based and I am trying
to create a virtual team as students work together to solve problems and
although it doesn't always work, I do think it does need risk takers to
start it off. There also seems to be a fine line when I enter the
discussion of wanting to direct their comments to me, so I tend to "lurk"
more than contribute."
Diane recognizes the need to have students who are "risk takers" to help
get the class involved in a new project or assignment. Also, Diane relates
being a "lurker" during the class, it reflects her commitment to
self-directed and independent learning. She is actively supporting a
student centered model of adult education that requires patience and a
willingness to experiment with new teaching strategies.
My online classes are often filled with students who are new to virtual
education. As a teacher , I try to establish enough guidelines to help
student feel secure but challenged in their new learning environment. Yet, I
am always creating learning situations that will stretch them. For instance,
I will assign a major group project (ex. argument paper on social issues)
and the students are given a week to complete it. The group assignments do
create some stress for students due to time restraints and having to work
with a diversity of individuals and learning styles. Yet, it has produced
many academic benefits such as humanizing the online experience by sharing
with others and learning how students manage their educational experiences.
In fact, students will freely share learning tips with their group members
which enriches the whole class.
For those who want additional information on online teaching, I help edit
chapter 3 of the book Online Tutoring e-Book. Chapter 3 is called
"Building an Online Community." It is available at
http://otis.scotcit.ac.uk/onlinebook/
Brent Muirhead D.Min; Ph.D.
University of Phoenix Online
bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu
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