1.  Review Time Management Strategies

Time management in blended and online environments can be challenging, especially with the tendency for 24/7 availability in online and blended environments. Review the time management links above and reflect on how you might make better use of your time.

2.  Spotlight Strategy: Identify Potential Management Issues Through Affective Learning Activities

Management issues in online environments may also present some unique challenges. You may experience problems with non participation, writing skills, inappropriate content or language, and bullying behaviors. The best defense for preventing many management issues is preparation - becoming familiar with what you may one day face and developing a plan of action. Review the list of strategies to promote Purposeful Engagement to get sense of how careful planning can help you avoid potential issues. The links above also have resources to help you learn more about engaging and effective discussion activities and strategies.

Share one potential management issue that you have uncovered and your solution in the "Management Issues" colloborative Google Document. Once we've all posted, we'll have a valuable resource of our collective knowledge about management issues in discussion forums.

The discussion forum is a public place for reflective thought, analysis, and the construction of knowledge. When used effectively, discussion forums provide an opportunity for learners to construct their own deeper learning. Knowledge of the key components for effective facilitation covered in this course will provide you with the skills to encourage the thoughtful use of discussion forums.  Take time now to review the key principles presented in the previous lessons.

1. Identify a meaningful purpose for the discussion
2. Prepare students to participate in discussion forums
3. Identify your role in the discussion forum
4. Identify and implement appropriate voice and tone
5. Identify and implement critical thinking strategies
6. Set clear expectations for participation and evaluation of discussion forums
7. Identify and implement effective management strategies

Click on these links to take you to the previous lessons:
Discussion Board Facilitation 1 & Discussion Board Facilitation 2

For this discussion, use the prompts below to think about and reflect on your experience in this course and the potential impact your learning will have on your teaching practice:

• What do you now understand best about facilitating online discussions? In what areas would you like to gain a deeper understanding?
• What did you expect to learn in this course? What did you actually learn? more or less, and why?
• What will you do with what you have learned? How has your new learning impacted your teaching practice?

Learning Activity:

Post your thoughts to the Reflection discussion forum. Also attach a copy of your completed Communication Plan. You are encouraged to view other posts as well. You might find valuable information to add to your repertoire!