In a January 2019 tip titled Creating a Supportive Climate for Engagement, a variety of strategies were provided for fostering and encouraging student engagement in courses. This week, we’ll focus more closely on the various ways you can build community in a course regardless of the delivery method.
At the beginning of the semester, survey your students to help identify what your students have access to and any potential issues (or benefits) with running your class virtually.
If you are just getting started with distance delivery, we suggest completing the Readiness Assessment and then utilizing the remainder of the resources to help you fill in the gaps.
VoiceThread is a web-based tool that is useful for having asynchronous audio and video conversations around media such as images, presentations, videos, and documents. VoiceThread can help bring social presence to your online course. All WSU students, faculty, and staff have VoiceThread accounts.
Engaging thoughtful and extended discussion in any setting can be difficult at times. However, making room for the discussion of concepts presented in a course can help students make stronger connections between what they are learning and how they can apply their knowledge in authentic contexts.