This document discusses strategies for effective online communication outside the classroom. It notes both benefits like 24/7 interaction and challenges like potential for miscommunication. It provides examples of online activities like discussions, presentations and peer critiques. It also discusses tools available and issues that can arise like lack of participation, conflicts or negativity. Finally, it offers tips for setting clear expectations, maintaining a positive tone, creating a sense of presence and responding to students in a timely manner.

1. Communication Outside of the Classroom How and Why?

2. Why Communicate Online? 24/7 potential for interaction Student involvement between f2f meetings Deeper conversations for some Allow everyone the chance to be “heard”

3. Online Communication Challenges Awkward for most Potential for miscommunication, misinterpretation Conversations build slowly Can be time consuming

4. What can you do online? Student introductions Discussion of reading assignments, (whole class or teams) Peer-to-peer critiques Mock debates Give presentations Role play exercises Forums to ask guest "experts“ questions Team project discussions Reporting "field observations" from lab projects or internships Scheduling office hours Basic course Q&A

5. What tools do we have?

6. Life in the Forums… Explicit directions are essential (what exactly to you expect students to do?) Define what “good participation” looks like (act professional, post early)

7. Common Difficult Situations No one posts Managing conflicts Finding a week’s worth of negative posts One student “poisoning” the forums Extraverts dominating Essay like posts, no real discussion Spreading misconceptions

8. Strategies for Responding in Discussion Forums

9. Dealing with Negativity Remind students of expectations and communication guidelines Students need to be responsible for holding each other accountable and keeping communications civil

10. Communication from you Consider Tone and Presence

11. Tone “ Students will complete week three’s assigned readings and submit a three page reflective essay by Friday, May 26 th .”

12. Tone “ This week we’ll be reading two articles about ‘x’. While you read them, keep in mind the perspectives we explored last week and compare ‘x, y, and z’. By Friday, May 26 th turn in a reflective essay…”

13. “ System” Feedback “ Upload Complete”

14. System Feedback “Thank you for turning in your essay. To prepare for Wednesday’s class please read chapter 5 of the text. We’ll be discussing…”

15. Presence

16. Ways to Create the Feeling of Presence “Check in” regularly Frequent communication (even admin) Use CMS Announcements Use audio or video if appropriate Personal feedback General announcements What else do you do? In person? Online?

17. Expectations Set them up front to minimize chaos as the semester progresses Expected levels of participation Behavior in the forums Language (r u there?) Respect, negativity Where to post off topic questions/ comments

18. Other things to consider How will you contact students? How and when may students contact you? Will you hold office hours? Online office hours in CMS (chat)? Phone/Skype? Breeze? Traditional? What is a reasonable time frame for you to respond to students (via email, etc.)?