Discussion
Strategy for Deeper Learning
Mary Ellen Bornak and Michael Hennessey Bucks County Community College
Research Clearly Identifies Elements Crucial to Learning
Interactions that must be present in a learning environment are: Social Cognitive Teaching Presence
Modeling Social Element: Engaging Learners
Set the parameters by the tone of discussion Identify areas of agreement Create consensus/ understanding Encourage participation Humanize discussion Build cohesion/community
Modeling Cognitive Element: Prompt Higher Order Thinking
Trigger questions Create exploration Integrate ideas Reflection Reconstruction Redirection
Recognize/Encourage Cognitive Cycle for Deeper Learning
Construct meaning Share meaning Feedback - rethinking Meaning reconstructed Reflection on outcome
Teaching Presence
Online Interaction:
Student Satisfaction
Creates Cognitive, Social Dynamic Sustains Guidance Provides Immediacy
Teaching Presence: Active Role in Discussion
Motivate Guide Provide structure Give feedback Problem solve
Modeling Teaching Presence: Restrained Role in Discussion
Being there to Monitor for:
Relevance Reconstruction Redirection Expression
Modeling Teaching Presence: Direct Instruction in Discussion
Lecture by discussion Focus on concepts, issues Summarize Confirm understanding Diagnose misperceptions Share knowledge from diverse sources
Teacher Presence as Facilitator
Here are some guidelines:
Be direct Require participation Press for integration of ideas Lead to resolution Provide critical thinking framework
In Good Discussion A Thoughtful Post
Goes beyond simply agree/disagree Examines or questions assumptions Connects ideas
Discussion Strategies that Scaffold Learning
Social acknowledgement Questions Engagement Direct instruction Modeling/examples Feedback/praise Encouraging articulation Management
Discussion that Counts
Make postings mandatory
Give significant grades for quality and participation Assign creative questions
Provide examples of thoughtful posts
Discussion Tips To Keep It Going
Require using quote feature Post reminders Ask for elaboration of vague responses Ask for further comments on provocative posts
Bonks Discussion Rule of 3 to 20
3 percent minimum 20 percent maximum Look for opportunities Post with purpose Make the difference
Student Discussion Feedback
I thought it was very well balanced.
There was enough discussion between students, and Michael stepped in occasionally to redirect where the discussions were going.
I thought the comments that Michael made were thought provoking and were just the right amount to start up a discussion, keep loose control over it, and allow independent thinking.
Feedback: Better than reading
I believe the discussions are more beneficial than the reading. I would read the material and not give a damn. Then, the discussions would infuse me to interject my opinion. I believe more discussions would be beneficial to future students. Even if the same discussion was extended time wise.
Feedback
Although it was a distance
learning course, there was the feeling of class discussion.
Student: It really works
It required everyone's
involvement in discussion rather than only a few active speakers and a teacher that usually happens in face-toface meeting, so I think the COMP distance learning really works.
Lets Put our Heads Together!
Points for Discussion
Other discipline examples? How do you keep value in your discussions? How do you reign-in/refocus wandering discussion? What do you do when a gem of an idea emerges? How do you recognize and help needy students? How do you ignite a faltering discussion?