Student Structured ConferencesStudent Structured ConferencesChapter 17Chapter 17

Amelia VillanuevaAmelia Villanueva

No other Mind tool facilitates constructive, social learning better than asynchronous discussion

boards because they support reflection on what one knows and through communication comes

conceptual change.David Jonassen

Student Structured Student Structured ConferencesConferences

Discussion BoardsDiscussion Boards

Synchronous tools enable real-timereal-time communication and collaboration in a "same time-different place" mode.

These tools allow people to connect at a single point in time, at the same time.

Synchronous

WebConferences

ChatWhite

Boarding

Instant Messaging

Video orAudio

Conference

ApplicationSharing

AsynchronousAsynchronous

StreamingAudio-Video

EmailBlogs

Forum

Web site links

Narrated Slideshows

Web BasedTraining

Polls

AsynchronousAsynchronous tools tools enable communication/ collaboration over a period of time through a "different different time-different placetime-different place" mode.

These tools allow people to connect together at each person's own convenience and own schedule.

Virtual Classroom

Knowledge Base

Construction

Debates,Role Play,Simulation

Long DistanceLearning

P. 195

STEP.1 STEP.2 STEP.3

Learners read messages created by

other members

Facilitateconstructive,

social learning

Collaborative Communications

Learners perceive themselves as reflecting moreResponding to

Messages

Problem Solving

Analytical

Made fewer social/off-task comments during conference sessions

Enhances meta cognitive skills as self-reflection and revision in learning

P. 196

Lack of Engagement caused by:

Poor Instruction

Rubrics ClassroomCulture

Instructors explain

participation in terms of

number of postings.

Rubrics are poorly

constructed or

non-existent

Students won’ttake issue

With others’ Comments.

Rebutting is not “fair”

P. 196-197

Anecdotes for Lack of Engagement

Rigorous Expectations

Alter the Task

ClassroomCulture

Debate

Controversial

Topics

Specify more

Rigorous

expectations

Conduct

discussion or

problem

Solving tasks

P. 196-197

Structured Discussion Boards

EvaluatingStudent

Contribution

EvaluatingStudent

Contribution

Qu

alit

y

Coh

eren

ce

Acc

ura

cy

Rel

evan

ce

P. 203

Structured Conversation – Convince Me

Advantages

SocializationSocialization

Reduced FearsReduced Fears

AccessibilityAccessibility

Lessens ConflictLessens Conflict

Collaborative LearningCollaborative Learning

Enhances WritingEnhances Writing

Student ContributionStudent Contribution

P. 198-201

Convince MeConvince Me

•Argument development

•Provides feedback

•Tools for graphing point

•Articulate beliefs

•Categorize beliefs

•Connect belief to support

•Provide believability ratings

•Run a coherence test of belief

Structured Conversation – Convince Me

P. 198-201http://www.convinceme.net

Coaching with Discussion Boards

Co

ach

ing

Dis

cuss

ion

Bo

ard

s

Ensure Access

Ask Engaging Questions

Prompt Non Participants

Provide Active Leadership

Summarize the discussion

Assure students

P. 201-202

Structured Discussion Boards for Modeling

AdvantagesAdvantages LimitationsLimitations

SocializationSocialization

Reduced FearsReduced Fears

AccessibilityAccessibility

Lessens ConflictLessens Conflict

Collaborative LearningCollaborative Learning

Enhances WritingEnhances Writing

Student ContributionStudent Contribution

Language intensiveLanguage intensive

Typing SkillsTyping Skills

Time DelaysTime Delays

Participation VariesParticipation Varies

More Polarized DecisionsMore Polarized Decisions

Social Anxieties Social Anxieties

Absence of Verbal cuesAbsence of Verbal cues

Technology IssuesTechnology Issues

P. 202-205

Structured Student Conferences are changing the face of eStructured Student Conferences are changing the face of education as we have come to know it. Both asynchronous aducation as we have come to know it. Both asynchronous and synchronous conferencingnd synchronous conferencing are effective MindTools. are effective MindTools.

As Jonassen notes, they “As Jonassen notes, they “engage learners in evaluating infoengage learners in evaluating information, discussing options, problems solving, and justifying rmation, discussing options, problems solving, and justifying their decisions – all of which require critical thinking.”their decisions – all of which require critical thinking.”

Thank You