*Leading asynchronous online discussions

This module will give you an opportunity to ...

• collaborate with your colleagues in an asynchronous environment to produce an online discussion board
• moderate an asynchronous forum
• participate in an asynchronous forum
• research and reflect on comparisons between traditional schools and online digital learning.

As we move toward Module 2, I'd like to encourage you in a couple areas. 

1. Focus on interaction. Use specific examples from what others said when you reply. Make inside jokes. 
2. As a face-to-face teacher or student, you use your body and voice to get others to pay attention. So how can you optimize that focus in digital media? Try using emojis, bitmojis, other avatars, memes, and short videos. Keep us paying attention and wanting to interact with you! :) 
3. Follow up. Although I don't require you to reply to everyone who replies to you, it's a good idea to try! For instance, I've given personal video notes to everyone who's posted on Flipgrid, but you won't see that if you don't check the site again. Alisa and I won't comment on every post you make in a discussion, but we often will. (And we'll read them all! 😬) 
4. Check your grades about once a week. The Grades tab in this version is near the top of your screen. For quick formative assignments, I'll usually use quick marks of "Outstanding", "Satisfactory", and "Not Satisfactory". But I'll use rubrics for all formative or summative longer assignments, so you'll be able to see the marks and comments. 
5. Let us know if you're having trouble. Life is complex. We understand. We'd rather have you let us know the struggles and let us help find a way through than have you just disappear from the course. 

Research Teams, you present a summary of your topic and give a choice of discussion questions. 

If you're not on the research team, you need to read the materials, read the Researh Team's synopsis, and reply to their questions.

Research Teams, you need to reply to the people who replied to you.

Goal: Promote asynchronous interaction that results in evidence of learning! 

So, now it's time to sign up for your research team. Sign up on this form. (Click on the tab at the bottom that says "Module 2".

Once you do, you need to...

1. Decide how you want to work together as a team. Who will do the main writing? Who will handle new research? Who will moderate and reply in the discussion? How will you communicate with each other?
2. Master the materials for your research topic.
3. Present a 500-word synopsis of the materials that summarizes them appropriately.
4. Present at least one 5-10 minute video that presents new ideas related to the topic. (This does not have to be a video that you make.)
5. Give 2-3 thoughtful discussion questions that your colleagues can choose from. 

Research team, post this as a reply to your topic in this module by Jan 26.

After you post about your topic, read and write thoughtful answers (about 250-350 words) to the questions the other research teams wrote. 

Reply to the research team's questions by Jan 28.

Research teams, watch the replies to your questions, and respond. Try to get real discussions going! 

Research team, reply to the replies as soon as possible. No later than Feb 10.

(You don't need to post anything here, but you can ask questions or make comments if you want to.)