Lesson 2: Instructor’s Notes: Additional Lesson Discussion Posting Instructions

(same message posted on discussion board & e-mail)

I hope you had productive Lesson 1: Orientation week for ETC645. Our class instructional designs and structures are very different from other courses. This is because the course designs are the part of content and journey we need to experience and to learn.

Lesson discussion is one of key designs, and it is designed with different pedagogical concept. Be sure to follow the discussion instructions to complete each lesson discussion requirements. You can review the discussion requirements in the syllabus.

Here is some additional information for you to support your lesson discussion activities.

Q: In Lesson 1, I filled out Digital Interaction Survey, how can we use it enhance my learning experiences in our class?

A: You should receive a copy of your survey result.  Based on the previous students' experiences:

To have positive learning experiences in general, you should score 5 or higher for all questions. 

To have more active and interactive discussion participations, you should score 5 or higher for:

·         Part A: Computer-Mediated Communication;

·         Part B: Web 2.0;

·         Part C: Digital mobile technology

·         Part D: Network Self-Regulated Learning

o   Environmental Structuring: D10-D14

o   Help Seeking: D29-D34

·         Part F: Community of Inquiry (CoI)

Q: What are the two posting periods?

A: Two posting periods are to ensure we have more "interactive" discussion rather than Q&A. Particularly, it would facilitate more active learner-learner interaction.

1^st Posting Period (Monday-Thursday): Respond to ALL KEY discussion questions thoroughly. We are engaged in learner-content interaction. More formal but not quite like a term paper.

2^nd Posting Period: (Friday-Sunday): Read and respond to others' postings. Often, our classmates, moderators, and instructor ask us questions based on postings. In 2^nd period, we engage in more learner-learner and/or learner-instructor interactions. It is more like semi-formal discussions. More like conversations.

Q: Why finish lessoning reading before the lesson starts?

A: Finishing lesson reading before the lesson would allow us to focus on discussion interaction. We need to read others' postings and respond to them, therefore, it could be very demanding.  It is important to finish reading early. In addition, it depends on your personal knowledge and skills on certain discussion topics, you may need to conduct more readings other than the required ones.

Q: Can I post early?

A: Not highly recommended since one of the goals is to engage us in active and interactive learner-learner interaction. More than just learner-content interaction.

Q: How many should I post?

A: Total six postings for each lesson.  Responding to all key discussion questions and 2 responding to others' is the minimum.  Previous students' average postings person lesson was around 11-12 postings.  Take a look our Discussion Analytics at: https://sites.google.com/site/etc645/discussion-analysis

It should give you some ideas on previous ETC645 students' posting frequency.  Remember, quality is the most important critical element of our postings.

Q: What is the length requirement for the discussion posts? Bullet points acceptable?

A: There is no specific length requirement. Generally, to address each question thoroughly.  Be thorough is the key.  It is not in a paper length.  One paragraph probably is hard to address the question and justify our arguments etc.   Thorough and arguments are justified are the main keys. I am sure we have many reflections, observations and examinations that we could share with the class.  Bulletin points are fine but through and comprehensive are the keys.

Q: Can I follow up on my own responses to the key discussion questions?

A: Yes. If you feel your first attempt to answer the key discussion questions is not thorough, you are encouraged to post follow-up postings to demonstrate your understanding on the discussion topics.

Q: Can the posting in 1^st posting period be counted toward to 2^nd period and vice versa?

A: No. Just meeting the total posting numbers does not completely fulfill the requirements.

Q: It sounds very intimidating. What should I do?

A: Do your best. Finish the readings before.  Moderators and me will be assisting you. Lesson 2 discussion is very critical to us to set a good model for the upcoming lessons.  Most of previous students indicated that they learned the most from our lesson discussions, particularly active and interactive learner-learner interaction in the 2^nd posting period.