2003 JoAnn Warren

Cooperative Learning

On-Line

2003 JoAnn Warren

Cooperative Learning

Students working in “cooperative learning groups” learn more, understand more and remember more material.  They feel better about themselves, the class and classmates. 

David Johnson and others in Cooperative Learning: Increasing College Faculty Instructional Productivity

Getting students involved in their education experience requires:  faculty-student interaction and student-student interaction. 

Alexander Astin (What Matters in College, 1993)

2003 JoAnn Warren

Require Student Involvement

DiscussionsAppoint student facilitators of discussion

DebatesTeams Debate a controversial issue

ProjectsTeams work cooperatively together on

projects

2003 JoAnn Warren

Make it Safe

Establish Ground Rules

Discussion Etiquette

Provide Feedback – individually and publicly

Establish a place for anonymous feedback

2003 JoAnn Warren

On-Line Discussions

Questions and/or Statements - open ended requiring reflection, application, or interpretation (controversial topics)Require and publish minimum standards Encourage with follow-up questions or play the devil’s advocateAssign a student-facilitator

2003 JoAnn Warren

Sample Responses

2003 JoAnn Warren

Sample RequirementsClass Participation

Facilitating Discussion Actively facilitates one thread Solicits comments, poses additional questions, plays the “devil’s advocate”Adds relevant information from research and/or text readingsSummarizes one thread noting similarities and discrepancies in postings

Participating Posts on average, more than two messages for each discussion.Messages demonstrate critical analysis of question or topic.Messages contain original idea or thought.Messages build on other messages, elaborating on discussion

2003 JoAnn Warren

Debates

Controversial Issue Pro-ConProvide context, reading materials and/or additional resources (web quests)Self-Selection – Affirmative or Negative Take opposite of their personal beliefs

Set up Private “Forums” for team deliberationsThree Rounds – Opening statement, Rebuttal and Conclusion (4-5 weeks)

2003 JoAnn Warren

An Example

Post Due Dates for RoundsCreate “Forum” for the DebateRequire participation in discussion

2003 JoAnn Warren

Team Projects

Cases, Experiments, Research Topics

Options for Presentation of Findings

Self-Selection

Create Private Forums

Allow Adequate Time for deliberations, drafts and finalization of Report/Presentation

2003 JoAnn Warren

An Example

Post Due Dates Create “Forum” for Final PresentationRequire students to review and comment on presentation

2003 JoAnn Warren

The Mechanics

Team Selection Add “New” Topic “Compose” Message

for each side of the debate or each project

Require students to self-select a position by replying to posting

Form Teams based on interest

Private Forums for Team Deliberations Add “New” Topic Select “Private” Manage Members Post an introductory

comment

2003 JoAnn Warren

Posting Chat Logs

Manage Files Chat Logs by room Download Save as html Upload

2003 JoAnn Warren

Mixed Results

Class was more work than expected

Teamwork was challenging (schedules)

Enhanced computer and writing skills

Better than a TV Course

Apply what I learned

Greater participation than f2f – time to reflect before posting

2003 JoAnn Warren

Warm Fuzzy

This has been one of the best classes I have ever taken. Joann's dedication, feedback and encouragement make all the difference. This was the first web class I've taken and it was great except that my computer exploded the first week of class and wasn't fixed forever! Despite some obstacles this semester with Joann's patience I was really able to learn a lot from all of you and this class.