Journal 5 Turning Lurkers into Learners

Alley, j, & Krauss, J. (2007). Turning lurkers into learners. L&L, 35(1), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/Volume_35_2007_2008_/AugustNo1/LandL_August_2007.htm
This article was about creative ways teachers can turn students that just search online casually, into students that can learn and have discussion through online chats. Online discussions provide opportunities for students to generate reflections, share ideas and questions with others, and participate in dialogues that can lead to further investigations and discoveries.

Hooking the students into active online discussion is only the first step in creating a productive online learning environment. Their level of interest and participation must be sustained so they can continue benefiting from their online learning experience. Another method that promotes engagement is allowing students to facilitate some of the online course discussions themselves. Student discussion facilitation can even help promote a more active discussion forum where students feel empowered because much of the teaching and learning rests with them.

After reading this article, I found online communication such as blackboard useful. In the past I often wondered what benefits we could get out of such a tool. I see there are many, but I now know it must be used creatively.

What are some things teachers could do at CSUSM, to get students more involved on webct discussions?

I think that teachers could be more interactive in the discussions and actually bringing online questions to the next class. I noticed here, that many instructors use webct chats as way to get students to discuss the chapter, and or read before class, but may times the discussion are not brought up in class. Another thing teacher could do is to be specific in terms of a chat question or discussion, instead of random thoughts that cover a chapter.

Should all classes have a portion of it web based with discussion?

I think a portion of all classes should be online simply to keep quite students involved. I think it provides a place for the class to be organized. I guess an online portion would be a one stop place to get all the up to date information, instead of carrying the syllabus around. The only thing that I wish was that the online portion could be more interactive like a facebook or something. That way people could really connect with students. Instead of being grouped by classes, and then erased at the end of each semester.