"Would you say that to me in class?" Online Disinhibition and the Effects on Learning |... - 0 views
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Mathieu Plourde on 19 Jun 14"Lack of civility in online forums within learning communities is manageable in small, closed online learning communities where an instructor is in control of a class of up to thirty, or even forty students. However, as classes expand, with MOOCs, and other types of learning communities growing, in combination with platforms that allow anonymity (such as Coursera) it will become an issue for educators [and their institutions] involved in online learning at some time or another. Peers within my network have shared their experiences as students and instructors within MOOCs that involve politically charged or contentious subject matters where discussion forums are fraught with offensive, even toxic comments and vitriol discussion. It is for this reason that I write this post; to provoke thought and discussion in order for educators to be proactive and develop appropriate strategies."