1. Tips to Promote Interaction Online
Illinois Online Network

2. Break the Ice
Easier to discuss academic topics ofstudents have already communicated
Post bios
Three truths and a lie
Eight nouns
Four “C” - Cartoon, car, color and cuisine

3. Require Participation
Assign points
Require a minimum number of postings per week
Grade on quality of interactions

4. Facilitating Discussion
Start the discussion
Provide feedback
Summarize
Weave contributions of different individuals together

5. Facilitating Discussions
Get the discussion un-stuck when necessary
Deal with disruptive or off-track students
Freshen with new material periodically
Request feedback from group about how the discussion is going

6. When Should Instructor Post?
Not immediately – allow students to write their ideas first
If you post first, students will not post after you
If you post too much, you will end the conversation

7. If Students Are Not Posting
The instructor should begin by asking one particular students questions
Provide a small amount of information and ask students to provide more
Post something controversial so that students will be interested in posting

8. How to Encourage Shy Students
Some students may visit the online course frequently but are too shy to post messages
Address him/her by name
Ask him/her to answer specific questions
Send private

9. Use Several Tones
Formal tone
Humorous
Questioning authority

10. Provide Feedback
Send short messages to individual students thanking them and encouraging them to work
Provide written feedback on their work frequently

11. Long Postings Tell students not to post long messages
Other students will not read longer than 2 screens
Long postings indicate a student is attempting to dominate the classroom

12. Provide Closure Summarize at the end of a topic
Tie up loose ends and bring the conference to a close
Thank students for their contributions to encourage them to participate in the future