Small+Group+Teaming-ANGEL+and+Beyond

// ** Using Small Groups/Teams in the Online Classroom RECORDING of the SESSION (30 min)
 * Reflection**// I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this eFLC. Online instruction is such a new concept and it requires fresh perspectives, techniques and tools. It was wonderful to dialog and discuss challenges, benefits, ideas and instructional concepts and tools with other instructors, as it is easy to feel ‘lost in cyber space’ quite literally. I am currently feeling more confident with experimenting with classroom methods and tools that were previously outside my comfort zone. Look forward to being a part of such **a group and this time as Coach!
 * [] ** see more TEAM PROJECT ideas  beyond ANGEL

toc

is to look at how use of small groups/team projects may help to ease or overcome some of the challenges we are facing in our online teaching experiences. =Goals= we are setting with this process include: Back =Examples= In response to the challenges and goals discussed above, we are both experimenting with a variety of small group assignments, discussion, and projects using a variety of available technologies to include, ‘teams’ via Angel team generator, small group discussion forums, blog/discussion, team projects using Wikis Positives to using small groups:
 * P** **urpose of this Presentation**
 * how to more fully engage our eLearning students (active learners)
 * how can we help students to be more responsible for their own learning process (vested interest in their experiences and process)
 * move away from lecture-test based format
 * how to re-create and translate some of the stimulating interactive f2f small group activities into an online environment.

•Community building; both students and instructor benefit from knowing one another in a more intimate way. •Building on the previous point, groups help create a safe environment for students to take personal risks and develop their online interpersonal communication skills •Students feel a greater investment in their work because they are assured it will be read by their designated group.Quality of work goes up. •Students and instructors are less likely to be overwhelmed by huge threads of endless discussion.Again, students have a specific audience they know they are communicating with. •For instructors, it is easier to track student work and discussion contributions in small groups vs. massive discussion threads. Back =Challenges= to using small groups:

•There is more set-up work for the instructor at the beginning of the quarter (setting up groups, assigning to groups, fielding student questions about where to go). •Groups may need to be reconfigured a week or two into the quarter to adjust for attrition. •Communicating, collaborating, and problem solving on collaborative projects via online tools requires a new approach to communication and interpersonal dynamics.Many students have not had the opportunity to ‘try out’ and gain confidence communicating in these new ways.(Wiki example) Conclusions: Use of small groups is a way to engage students that parallels—and even extends--f2f techniques while introducing students to new ways to learn, develop critical thinking skills, and communicate. Back =Personal Note= ON SMALL GROUP ‘BROWN BAG’ PROJECT •This project helped me reflect on and evaluate my goals and the current gaps in my online instruction.Previously I had been hesitant about using small groups, but have found them to be incredibly successful and productive.This project provided a forum for evaluation and reflection on how my new techniques are working, and where I can continue to improve the experience for students .Back