The Art of Online Conversation: Designing, Facilitating, and Teaching with Online Discussion Forums (NEW ONLINE COURSE)

Whether we teach in a traditional face-to-face classroom, a blended environment, or a fully online course, many of us make use of online forums to enhance student learning. Achieving an engaging online discussion, however, is easier said than done! In this fully online course, participants will learn by doing through ongoing participation in weekly discussion forums. We will explore strategies for creating effective prompts, apply best practices for facilitating vibrant and enriching online conversations of all types, and troubleshoot common challenges. We will explore how one’s approach to online discussion changes over the span of a semester- or year-long course, and integrate scholarship on eLearning into our understanding of effective online conversations.
This course is open to all course directors at York and no previous experience with online discussion forums is required. Participants can expect to spend approximately 1 hour per week engaging with course content and activities. The course is designed asynchronously, meaning that while there are weekly deadlines, participants can complete each week’s tasks at any time that is convenient to them. This course is actively facilitated by a Teaching Commons instructor, and participants will be able to ask questions and access further support and resources by email or through the course Moodle at any point.

June 1-30 2020.
Week 1 (1-7 June): Starting the Conversation
Week 2 (8-14 June): Building Communication in the Community
Week 3 (15-21 June): Effective Questioning for Deeper Learning
Week 4 (22-28 June): Learner Independence and Reflection in the Closing Weeks
Wrap-up (29-30 June): Final Reflections and Next Steps

To register forThe Art of Online Conversationplease click here:REGISTRATION