2. Outcomes
By the end of today, you will be able to:
• Describe three tools for engaging students
• Explain the primary purpose of each tool
• Select the best tool to facilitate various types
of learning activities and content
6. Discussion Board Format
Class Discussion
Board
Board
Water
Cooler
Forum
Student 1
Post
Thread
Student 2
Reply
Reply
Student 5
Reply
Reply
Student 10
Reply
Reply
Student 2
Post
Thread
Case Study
1
Forum
Case Study
2
Forum
7. Discussion Boards
Strengths
• Equal voices
• Rich in views and
ideas
• Allows exploration
Limitations
• Can lose focus
• Lacks non-verbal
cues
• May overwhelm
• Text heavy
8. 5 Use Cases
• Debate a course topic
• Discuss a controversial reading
• Explore a course question
• Create a water cooler
• Brainstorm solutions
11. Student types full blog post here.Student 3 Post
• Student 2 comment
Student types full blog post here.Student 2 Post
• Student 3 comment
• Student 7 comment
Student types full blog post here.Student 1 post
• Student 2 comment
• Student 4 comment
Blog Format
12. Blogs
Strengths
• Strong sense of
ownership
• Focused
• Reflective
• Media rich
Limitations
• May become stale
• Linear
• Class blogs get
crowded
13. 5 Use Cases
• Class or group notes
• Virtual study group or literature circle
• Peer review
• Address course questions or proficiencies
• Individual log of experiences
16. Wiki Format
Student 1 inserted a picture
Student 2 typed this text. Student 2 typed this text. Student 2 typed
this text. Student 2 typed this text. (Student 3 deleted this text)
Student 2 typed this text. Student 2 typed this text. Student 2 typed
this text. Student 2 typed this text.
Student 3 typed this text. Student
3 typed this text. Student 3 typed
this text. Student 3 typed this text.
Student 3 typed this text. Student
1 added this text. Student 1 added
this text.
Student 2 inserted a video
17. Wikis
Strengths
• Flexible
• Easy to edit
• Highly collaborative
• Track contributions
Limitations
• May lose structure
• Can delete work
(recoverable)
• 1 editor at a time
18. 5 Wiki Use Cases
• Class glossary or bibliography
• Class study guide
• Group paper, website, presentation
• Individual portfolio
• Sign-up sheet or calendar
22. Brainstorm
Choose an activity or assignment you currently
use and select the technology that would most
appropriately facilitate that activity.
• What is the nature of the content?
• What is the purpose (outcome) of the assignment?
• What type of discourse do you want?
• Whose voice should be heard?
• What level of collaboration do you want?
Discussion boards – forums with threads and repliesBlogs – a series of posts, posts can have comments / journal – a private log (student-teacher)Wikis – a collaboratively edited, very simple website
Imagine you pose a question to your students, step outside, and allow them to answer the questionIt will be lively, open, many voicesFocus is on task, topic, debate, ideaBut it also allows for flowing discourse
The technical structure of a discussion boardBoard: a list or collection of forums (topics)Forums: the main topics for discussionsThreads: the main responses to the discussion topicReplies: questions or comments on the threads
How have we used discussion boards?How might we account for the limitations of discussion boards? To maintain focus – write clear expectations / instructions To cut down on being overwhelmed – create discussion groups To ease problem of non-verbal cues – create discussion rules as a class
Brief definition here
Best for presenting individual voicesHierarchical discourseFocus is on voice, opinion, point of view, presentation
List of posts with text, links, images, and videosFirst posted is last on pageComments are usually collapsible
How have we accounted for the limitations of blogs? Content may become stale – assign a posting schedule Crowding – break blogs into groups, days, topics, etc.
Brief definition here
Best for creating as a groupOne person controls at a time, control can be passedFocus is on collaborative creationAllows flexibility of form, presentation
How have we accounted for the limitations of the wiki tool? One editor – created individual pages Lose structure – provided a template