Online Discussions can be challenging to implement effectively. This video provides some helpful strategies and talks about the benefits
Benefits: enhanced communication; group feedback; build community; peer feedback; allows those shy in F2F to participate
Tips: Provide clear criteria; limit number of words; have students help moderate; collate and summarize for the students; be present in the discussion
Active Learning strategies improves student learning & motivation
Audience Response Feedback [Clickers are used in this video]: multiple choice questions, use results to focus discussion
Online Mini Lectures: provides content that is developed further in F2F class
"Blended learning course design
In designing a blended course, a simple way to start is to imagine a discrete unit of learning, for example, a particular topic or a chapter of the textbook. Here is a three-step process:
Establish clear learning goals for the topic.
Design activities to help students meet the learning goals.
Sort the activities into two categories: online and face-to-face.
None of these steps is particularly easy. Writing effective learning goals is a skill that teachers must constantly hone. Designing activities requires a creative mind that is pedagogically grounded. Addressing the third step could be the easiest of the required actions but requires much pedagogical savvy. In considering each step, the following questions might help:
What do I really want students to learn?
How can I ensure that students read the book prior to class?
What lower-level activities can student complete online prior to class?
What higher-level activities can be accomplished during class?
What higher-level activities can students complete after a topic has been discussed face-to-face?
Which activities require a grade and which activities will students do because they can immediately see the link to other graded activities?"