Week 3 Overview
Effective Communication
Communicating with students online can be more varied and challenging. The lack of immediate feedback derived from observing body language or paralinguistics can lead to misunderstandings. Learners can feel more vulnerable in an unfamiliar learning environment when they're often unsure of who will see and respond to any postings. Clarity of communication - both recorded (video, audio) or written is important.
Watch this brief video for some examples of how to communicate with online learners:
(6:13) Effective Communication in the Online Environment, (June 2014), Frank Heney, Carleton University
Asking "Good" Questions
Asking questions — either in discussion forums or as a feedback technique in reviewing a learner’s paper or assignment — can help learners clarify their thinking, shift perspectives, go to a deeper level of analysis, and reflect on their learning. When learners get stuck, effective facilitators can use questions to enhance learning. By posing convergent or divergent, open or closed, high or low level and structured or unstructured questions they enhance learners’ knowledge and comprehension.
Asking good questions helps to ensure that learners assume and maintain responsibility for their own learning and reinforces the instructor’s role in guiding, not directing, the individual’s learning.