Improving Student Interaction in the Online Environment
Introduction
There are many steps that can be taken in the online environment to improve the quality of the learning process but this article addresses the specific area of student interaction. Online instruction is by its very nature isolated. As instructors we try to help involve students in the discussions to create some semblance of connection and thereby enhance the learning experience. Each student exchange has the possibility of reinforcing an important point or bringing to the fore some issue that is in need of clarification. However, when students do not participate for any reason the quality of their classroom experience decreases precipitously. As instructors we should have a plan to keep students involved.
Helping Students Overcome Feelings of Inadequacy
My experience is that many times students do not participate because of shyness or due to a feeling of inadequacy. To help overcome this problem I ask my students a few key questions about their background at the beginning of the class. These questions are designed to give me personal tidbits that I can use to make my questions more relevant and hopefully more interesting to the student. For example, if a student discloses that he works at a manufacturing plant I will make a note of that in my spreadsheet that I keep for each student. If the student demonstrates a reluctance to participate in the discussions I will use a manufacturing plant as the basis for a question presented to the entire class. The student can then participate with a greater degree of comfort.
Connecting Students, Family and Participation
Another piece of information that I like to get where possible has to do with family or marital status. This is an ideal bit of information to use in private discussions with the student to help motivate and draw them into a meaningful conversation. This takes a great deal of tact but by asking questions while incorporating familial ties the student has an almost emotional connection with the information and motivating that student becomes much easier.
Keys to Success
As with anything an instructor does the tact that must be used in these situations is of the highest order. No clumsy attempts at humor or ham handed conversation starters will do. Phrasing the questions must be correctly and strategically done or the entire enterprise could cause more problems than it solves. Tact and subtlety are subjects not addressed in this particular document but that gives me an idea for another article.
One Final Point
Until then, keeping students involved will have a tremendously beneficial effect on their learning experience and play a role in their long term commitment to education. Each student is important and worth the effort so instructors should never ignore any student. As long as a student is in class, she is worthy of being taught.
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