Creating Small Within Large

The SLIS 5000 Experience

2007 Redesign Conference

Facts and Problems

Introductory class with blended delivery Heavily dependent on readings-based

online discussions Rapidly growing enrollment (150+) Critical size of discussion group is 8-12

Need minimum for different viewpoints Beyond maximum, students tend to lose

identity Without leader, discussions drift

Current Solution

Randomly generate discussion groups of ten There are ten discussion questions

Assign each student to act as leader for one question

Assign specific, graded, role for leader Introduced software to allow students to

see photo of person posting

Group Leader Assignment

Introduce discussion question within 12 hours of opening of the topic Frame the question within the readings

Promote and encourage high-quality discussion Reflect on postings Compare and contrast postings Bring in your own experiences

Summarize the discussion within 24 hours of topic closing

Results

More postings Higher quality postings Higher participation

Phil Turner

pturner@unt.edu