I can’t get no satisfaction is the line in a very popular pop song.
I used to feel that way about teaching online until I figured out that the only way to make it satisfying was to think about all of the things that I love about teaching and to find a way to include those things in my online courses.
What an epiphany!
It changed the game for me.
As I brainstormed all of the things that I love about teaching, meaningful group experiences topped the list. So, I took it upon myself to figure out how I could incorporate them in my online courses.
If you have read any of this blog before, you know that I am forever grateful that my then chair, Dr. Debra Parker, who eventually became my dean, required our early childhood distance education schedule to include specific times for class during my third year of teaching online.
At first, I was scared out of my mind because I had not been trained on how to fulfill this obligation. I just knew I had access to the live chatrooms housed within Blackboard and that I would conduct my sessions within that platform. So, I made haste and stepped out into the deep.
The deep turned out to be revelatory and refreshing.
Yes, oh yes!!!
I remember lying across my bed in the summer for three weeks, planning how things would go based on how I had conducted professional development with teachers, how I had experienced group work in grad school, and how well they had gone when I taught college students face-to-face.
- What assignments would I create for the group?
- How would I set-up the groups?
- Would the students get to class and put forth the effort?
These questions filled my mind.
I remember how enthusiastic I was about doing something that I believed to be innovative and stimulating. You see, I love anything that provides gymnastics for my mind. So, I had these butterflies because I knew that what I would create would not only help me serve my students better, but it would allow them to experience distance learning, intimately.
I also remember the humble beginnings and how I trained my students without video or audio on how the chat room groups would go and guess what? To my surprise, they rose to the occasion and things went very well…extremely well.
Of course, there were a few hiccups here and there. Yes, there were students who made excuses about not doing their part or not attending class. But, they were few and far between.
Once the bar was set, my students followed through and committed to the process. It was a beautiful time and I was so proud of them and proud of myself for moving despite the fear of what the outcome would be.
Then, a glorious thing happened! I was given access to Blackboard Elluminate. My students and I could throw those chat rooms out of the window and finally see and hear each other. Oh, Happy Day!!!!
Talk about a breakthrough.
I was excited, but once, again, afraid. I knew nothing about Blackboard Elluminate. I had never used it and was not trained on how to do so; but, I was determined that lack of knowledge would not hinder me. So, I did what I always do. I sought out what I did not know.
Researched how to use Elluminate.
Attended some webinars.
Moved full-speed ahead.
And, here I am today, still using live group experiences in my courses, 13 years later.
I am telling you what I know NOT what I read in an article, learned at a conference, or from a webinar. Please come close to the screen and let this marinate:
Well-designed, student-directed, group experiences create learning commanders and cultivate skills in college students that take them far beyond the scope of your course.
In fact, I feel sorry for those who never get to experience what my students experience during their synchronous times together because the social connections make the learning unforgettable.
As I have tweaked, modified, and designed live group experiences, I have found that there are SIX essential components that make things go well:
- Objectives/Outcomes
- A System
- Groups of 4 to 6
- Group Roles
- Documentation
- Instructor Feedback
I break down these components in this mini-workshop. I hope that my overview gives you a glimpse into how incredible these experiences can be. May you see the beauty in the fellowship as I do and as my students have, semester after semester, year after year.
If after you watch, you have questions, feel free to post them here or email them to me at hello@kelliealston.com. You can even schedule a discovery session with me at bit.ly/discoverwithkellie. I want you to know the joy of creating these dynamic experiences for your students, too.