1. Orchestrating Meaningful Discussions in Asynchronous and Synchronous Courses
Shelby Morge, Ph.D. Tracy Hargrove, Ph.D.
WCE Educational Technology Mini-Conference
May 9, 2017

2. How Rich is your Classroom Discourse?
Students who interact in the classroom perform better than those that don’t. Managed communication between students and faculty facilitates critical thinking, discourse, and student success. Taylor (2002) and Fristchner (2000)

4. DEBRIEF
In thinking about your experience using the ”Save the Last Word for Me” protocol, consider the following:
How was this a useful way to explore the ideas in the text and to explore your own thinking? What are the benefits of using this protocol? Drawbacks?
How could this protocol be modified for use in an online class?

5. Save the Last Word for Me (Online)
Start
Mid-week
End
Each student is asked to post a quote from the reading addressing what was most powerful to them. They don’t state why they chose the particular quote.
All students post a reaction to a specific quote (3-4 per group) indicating why they believe the person chose this passage in the text.
Students who posted original post discuss why they posted the particular quote, which is often different from what the group members thought.

6. Why Use a Protocol?
Keeps a group conversation focused in a limited amount of time
Encourages all members of the group to offer feedback and insights on a topic
Helps less verbal participants offer their voices
Promotes thoughtfulness by allowing personal reflection time
Encourages dialogue featuring multiple perspectives

7. Why Use a Protocol?
Requires individuals presenting their work to remain silet at times so that feedback and insights offered from their colleagues are not lost
Reminds individuals to return to the evidence offered rather than focus on opinions
Provides a safe and supportive structure for all

8. Participation Protocol for Academic Discussions
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10. DEBRIEF
In thinking about your experience using the ”Four ’A’s” protocol, consider the following:
How was this a useful way to explore the ideas in the video and to explore your own thinking? What are the benefits of using this protocol? Drawbacks?
How could this protocol be modified for use in an online class?

11. Four “A”s (Online) Introduction Presentation Reactions Last Insights
All students in the class reply to at least two people’s responses from the other group. This is due two days after the first posting.
Students read the responses they have received for their initial posting and answer the following question: “Based on your discussion, what parts of the text do you want to Aspire to? What are the authors’ assumptions?”
The facilitator assigns half of the students to an “Agree” group and the other half of the students to an “Argue” group.
Students read the assigned text and post their responses to the assigned question. Due 3 days into the start of the online week.

12. Exploration and Adaptation
Explore other discussion protocols on the National School Reform website:
Select a discussion protocol and discuss how it can be modified for use in the online environment. Develop a plan for how you can use it in your courses.

13. Questions?
Thank you!