Conferences and other events are, in their own ways, learning experiences. Learning is a socially constructed experience. By creating opportunities for participants to feel socially connected and part of a community, we support their learning.
Consider a social space or session for interactivitiy such as:
Blackboard Inc. (2018 May 31). Breakout groups in Blackboard Collaborate with the Ultra experience. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/D4dudLGevhw
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Continuing to Engage the Online Learner by Continuing to Engage the Online Learner Contributing to both the theoretical and practical literature, Continuing to Engage the Online Learner expands on the work of Conrad and Donaldson's bestselling Engaging the Online Learner. This next-step resource introduces a new phase to their proven model, the Phases of Engagement, and addresses a wide range of online and hybrid learning environments, technology tools, and communication styles. Comprehensive in scope, the book provides an introduction to the theory of engaged learning and its design, assessment, and management in online and blended learning environments and describes the types of activities that motivate the online learner in each phase of engagement. This down-to-earth resource also includes 50 new and illustrative activities paired with each phase of engagement. In Continuing to Engage the Online Learner Rita-Marie Conrad and J. Ana Donaldson provide relevant and theoretically-sound information to enhance teaching and engage learners, offering a practical handbook for instructors. "Conrad and Donaldson have done it again! Not only have they presented a solid and useful discussion of the phases of engagement, they have brought the theory alive through the presentation of practical activities that would work well in any online or hybrid course." --Rena Palloff, faculty, Fielding Graduate University and author, The Excellent Online Instructor
Social Presence in Online Learning by Published in Association with Social presence continues to emerge as a key factor for successful online and blended learning experiences. It is commonly described as the degree to which online participants feel connected to one another. Understanding social presence--with its critical connections to community-building, retention, and learning outcomes--allows faculty and instructional designers to better support and engage students. This volume, Social Presence in Online Learning, addresses the evolution of social presence with three distinct perspectives, outlines the relevant research, and focuses on practical strategies that can immediately impact the teaching and learning experience. These strategies include creating connections to build community, applying content to authentic situations, integrating a careful mix of tools and media, leveraging reflective and interactive opportunities, providing early and continuous feedback, designing with assessment in mind, and encouraging change in small increments. Because student satisfaction and motivation plays a key role in retention rates and because increased social presence often leads to enriched learning experiences, it is advantageous to mindfully integrate social presence into learning environments. Social Presence in Online Learningbrings together eminent scholars in the field to distinguish among three different perspectives of social presence and to address how these viewpoints immediately inform practice. This important volume: * Provides an overview of the evolution of social presence, key findings from social presence research, and practical strategies that can improve the online and blended learning experience * Differentiates three distinct perspectives on social presence and explains the ideas and models that inform these perspectives * Explores specific ways in which social presence relates to course satisfaction, retention, and outcomes * Offers practical implications and ready-to-use techniques that are applicable to multiple disciplines * Introduces current research on social presence by prominent researchers in the field with direct inferences to the practice of online and blended learning * Looks at future directions for social presence Social Presence in Online Learningis appropriate for practitioners, researchers and academics involved in any level of online learning program design, course design, instruction, support, and leadership as well as for graduate students studying educational technology, technology-enhanced learning, and online and blended learning. It brings together multiple perspectives on social presence from the most influential scholars in the field to help shape the future of online and blended learning.SCU Centre for Teaching and Learning. (2020). Adding activities to your session. https://spark.scu.edu.au/kb/tl/teaching-online/teaching-online-with-blackboard-collaborate-ultra/adding-activities-into-your-session