Fostering Community in Online Courses

Presented by:Dr. Xuemei Hu

of Union County CollegeDr. Kathleen Cleary and Midge Hall of Clark State Community College

OVERVIEW

• GREAT BEGINNINGS

• KEEP IT GOING

• ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

GREAT BEGINNINGS

• Welcome Page• Home Page Activities• Early Class Discussions• Email Assignments

Welcome Page as Friendly Course Opener

• Course descriptionCourse description• Anytime, anywhere learningAnytime, anywhere learning• Easy accessEasy access• Contact informationContact information• SOC 101 Welcome Page

Home Page as Logical Organizers

• Course syllabusCourse syllabus• Course content and Web sourcesCourse content and Web sources• Three modes of interactionThree modes of interaction• Course evaluationCourse evaluation• SOC 101 Online Course

Early Class Discussionas Students’ Primary Guide

• Get acquaintedGet acquainted• Know course requirementsKnow course requirements• Learn how to minimize “distance”Learn how to minimize “distance”• Let students teach studentsLet students teach students• Warm up Questions

More Warm up Strategies • Theatre Courses

–Theatre History (Welcome Message)– Introduction to Theatre (“For Dr. K”)

• Chemistry Courses– Intro. to General Chemistry (1st Email)–Fundamentals of Chemistry (Introductions)

KEEP IT GOING

• Regular Progress Reports

• Group Assignments/Discussions

• Office Hour Chats

Progress Reports

• Theatre courses–Theatre History –Introduction to Theatre

• Chemistry Courses–Intro. to General Chemistry –Fundamentals of Chemistry

Group Projects/Discussions

• Theatre courses– Attending a play: I Can’t Wait– Group Discussion: Final Thoughts

• Chemistry courses– Unit Projects– Challenging the Instructor

Office Hours Chats

• Poll students to select the best time

• Publicize and remind students about times

• Suggest a topic for each week’s chat

ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

• Final Study Guide & Projects

• Student Evaluations

• Term Wrap Up

Study Guide

• Study Guide for THE 130

Student Evaluations

• Let students evaluate course Let students evaluate course

• Let students evaluate performanceLet students evaluate performance

Term Wrap up asrewarding online experience

• Compile and post all assignmentsCompile and post all assignments• Check “final grade”Check “final grade”• Compiling and fulfilling

course requirements

Finale

• Make the initial pages friendly & informative

• Solve technical challenges in the first week

• Communication is a priority!• Finish with satisfied students who have

learned

end!