Reply To: Announcing our Spring into Summer Contest!

[jmonserrmdc-edu Jorge Monserrate]

Establishing a good sense of community is particularly challenging in a virtual environment, isn’t it? There are certainly plenty of digital tools, that when used appropriately assist the online instructor to do so.

Most of us provide a Welcome Message/Video that describes what community is, it’s online aspects and it’s value and importance/place in learning. I let them know we will be using a Discussion Room weekly or bi-weekly to discuss material presented and current “hot” topics in the discipline, and participation will be graded as per my grading policy in the syllabus.

Their first assignment is to share information about themselves and reply to at least one other classmate’s original entry, I use my OER’s (Pearson’s Mastering +) excellent discussion platform for the weekly discussions. Participation in these is graded (they are provided a discussion participation rubric to inform them about the criteria I use for grading}. I regularly remind them that participation in our Zoom meetings is also expected Just last week, when discussing tap vs. bottled water aspects, the meeting turned into an impromptu discussion. I barely covered 4 PP slides that lecture meeting. These are my favorite meetings. They not only show students engagement, but also contribute to community. of course, small classes of 10 to 15 students makes all of this easier.

This Thursday, a fun STEM event will be held on campus. Extra points will be given for attendance. Using and/or creating opportunities to meet your learners and them meeting themselves, another excellent example of attempting significant community in your online courses, (in my opinion and experience).

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