Journal #3

Cole, J (2009). Keep them chatting. Learning & Leading with Technology, Retrieved 02,15,09, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/

Jeannie Cole discusses some of the challenges and the solutions to on-line courses for K-12 students. Some of the challenges around achieving exciting, deep discussions on line include lack of student responses, students losing interest, instructors' fears that students are copying their work from the web, or students doing only what is required and not stretching themselves.

Some examples of how to keep students engaged in online courses include:

High, level, open-ended questions Ask students an open-ended question put them in groups with a rubric of requirements. Each student needs to contribute their part and add comments and suggestions to other groups' projects.

The inquiry method Students are asked a question that they have to research, problem solve and answer. They need to be able to support their answer with research. They are also asked to look at other students projects and evaluate them.

The discrepant event inquiry method Students look at a video, photo, demonstration or simulation without an explanation. Then are asked a question that requires detailed research. Again, they are given detailed instruction and then are required to comment of other students work.

Personal examples This assignment takes something that is personal to the students and creates an assignment around it that requires research and problem solving. They are expected to comment on each others work.

Using Illogical Comparison Students are asked to compare and contrast two very different subjects, in this example Miss Piggy and Guinevere and complete a study of Arthurian legends.

These examples are meant to challenge and engage students. The key is to let students discover their own content, because they will feel more ownership. By sharing their work with their peers they will work harder knowing other students will see their work.

Question #1: What is the key to getting students invested in online courses? The key to getting students to feel invested is to make the content of the course/assignment exciting and interesting. The assignments should require students to discover their own content and share it with other. By sharing it with other they will fell more invested because they know their peers will be looking and commenting on it.

Question #2: Which one of the above techniques do you feel fits with your teaching style? I think the Personal Inquiry would fit best with my teaching style. It's important to get students to feel personally invested in their projects. If they can draw from personal experiences or topics they feel are important to them, they will be more engaged and contribute more to their project.