Final Reaction Paper EDT 630

In learning about integrating technology into the classroom, I have found online discussion to be an effective way to learn. The thought required to compose a post on an important aspect of the concept is greater and higher order thinking than many verbal discussions. By analyzing a classmate’s post and the reflection needed to form an appropriate, meaningful response include those higher order thinking skills as well. While this tool is effective, it is also incredibly time consuming. The time required in checking the discussions, keeping up on reading the posts of others and composing my own thoughts has been a surprise.

The flow of the written discussion versus a verbal discussion is also more difficult to me. Because I am new to the online discussion format, I find following the discussion more difficult. Ideally the text-based discussion would condense the social exchange of ideas and make learning more effective. The difficulty of missing the intonation and other non-verbal cues such as body language and facial expression also hinders my understanding of my peers’ posts. I have also found that there is much redundancy in the online discussion that is less than helpful. At times the discussion seems to revolve around the same concepts and as a class we have had difficulty branching farther into the content and tended to reiterate points that have been made many times.

I appreciate the discussion rules and do think they are necessary. For one, they define the task for the class. Also, they help set constraints that state a modicum of formality and professionalism expected in the discussion. The discussion rules in this course helped to encourage cohorts to evaluate and give constructive criticism to each other’s work rather than merely affirm the positive aspects of each person’s work. Having stated rules also helps students not take constructive criticism personally, but use it to the betterment of their learning and their project.

 I find it helpful for the instructor to post within the class discussion as a means to either affirm an important point or broaden the discussion beyond the realm of where the students are going with the discussion. I think the use of questions, comments and statements are all helpful in facilitating the online discussion.