6.1 Theory by Open to change the status quo https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory STEP 1: Answer the following reading questions by leaving at least 2 posts. You can choose which questions you would like to answer. STEP 2: Leave 2 comments on your peer's answers. en-us 2019-10-31 22:20:10 UTC 2022-03-25 19:20:43 UTC hello@padlet.com Electronic Personalty, to be or not to be... https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/407740011 The joy of online learning is that is a wonderful place for learner's personalities to emerge that may not be present or noticed in face to face classrooms.   It was also mentioned that learners can try out new roles and behaviours online that they may not feel comfortable trying out in person. 

Introverts can benefit from online learning because there are no social cues or body language, while extroverts may struggle because of lack of conversation. 

One thing I try and show my learners is how they do not need to always write.  They can record an audio response.  They can also use speech to text on google docs to record what they might want to say (copy & paste it to the forum) without the challenge of writing it out. ]]> 2019-11-06 20:36:00 UTC https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/407740011 Dependence/Independence https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/407796075 I found the discussion on the balance of student dependence on one another, mixed with the need for independence (so they still feel in control of their own outcome) very interesting. I had students give a summary of each weeks discussion, one student from the group each week, and provide a peer evaluation. Students felt both liberated and awkward about that. They wanted to say John Doe or Jane did nothing! and sometimes they didn't, but others had to balance the fact that their group members participated- just not in the time and fashion they wanted. Many students became concerned that their grade as the leader that week would be diminished by the lack of group participation. Finding ways to negate this situation is something I look for moving forward with my course. 

]]> 2019-11-06 22:54:36 UTC https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/407796075 One step... two step... LEDGE https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/407798862 The development of group dynamics through the online platform can be a bit of a gamble in my previous experience. Although it is mentioned that technology can provide an opportunity for students to engage who might otherwise not speak up, it also can leave space for the loud to get louder. Good points regarding the instructor setting well defined boundaries for online participation- but I notice both within this class and my classes- when a student begins to slip- it can feel almost impossible to catchy up- whether that is independent work or as part of the group. I also think that rejoining the group can be far more intimidating than the chapter we read might allude to. The more I read about fostering these environments- the more I think built in- RE-START points are important for online groups to establish. If you need to drop from the conversation for a certain amount of time- maybe a safe word works- rather than ghosting - your classmates know, for whatever reason, you need space.  Now- if anyone can help me devise a plan to build that community in a 6 week course- I would appreciate the feedback.

]]> 2019-11-06 23:04:06 UTC https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/407798862 Both Tuckman & Jensen and McLure include conflict as a key component of group development. Perhaps I have simply not taught enough online courses, but I will say that I haven't had major issues with conflict in my online classes so far. The closest I've come is having some students express concern that another student is not pulling their weight. In this case, I strongly encouraged them to address the issues themselves, but at the same time, I did end up checking in with the student in question -- it turned out her mother had just passed away and understanding that and helping that student communicate better helped the situation. I can definitely see how an online environment could lead to conflicts that we might not anticipate in a face-to-face environment as students may exhibit an 'electronic personality.' https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/408904308 2019-11-08 22:06:54 UTC https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/408904308 Something I found useful about the stage theories of Tuckman & Jensen and McClure is that these stages are multiple and (at least according to McClure) are not necessarily linear. I have done a lot of group work both online and especially face-to-face, and I have noticed that groups seem to have their own life cycle of sorts. I'm very careful about group formation and group dynamics as a teacher in every format. I very often draw on information the students provide on the first day or in introductions, and then try to create a balanced and diverse group based on that information. I almost always find these groups work better than if they form groups themselves. However, one of the real challenges I find is that it can be difficult for me to gauge 'the vibe' between students -- something that I think I am quite effective at in person but not so much online. https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/408905822 2019-11-08 22:12:55 UTC https://padlet.com/joerdis/theory/wish/408905822