1	Developing Online Conversations By: Steven Dick, Ph.D. Department of Radio-TV Southern Illinois University Carbondale
2	Online Conversations Two Types Live Teleconference Such as those at some of these presentations. Teleconferences require different set of techniques. Asynchronous Conversations. Users send and receive messages without necessarily being present at the same time. The subject of this presentation
3	Asynchronous Choices Email Based Systems Includes ListServes and some Newsgroups. All participants are sent all messages Depends on Email systems Very common Low fear systems All users get all messages Can lead to flooding Forces mention
4	Asynchronous Choices Server Based Systems All users go to the same virtual space. Includes most web based systems. Slightly more intimidating More Versatile Allows for subgroups Better tracking.
5	Poll: Have you ever made online discussion groups available to your students? Yes No
6	Poll How have you used online Conversation? Check all that apply In support of a online class In support of a live class It was just attached to an online service d. Other
7	Uses - Online Classes Provide classroom discussion missing online. Provide a sense of collegiality. Give opportunity for critical thinking/ discussion.
8	Uses - Live classes Continue class discussions Allow special topic discussions Explore critical points Group work Allow quiet people a chance to make a point. Cover missed on distant days.
9	Poll: How effective have you found online and why? Or how effective do you believe? Open ended response.
10	Online Discussions Success Discussion group are a commonly included feature. Very popular in online companies More popular among young.
11	Online Discussion Fail Time Pressures + Lack of motivation = No activity Tech Fear Will others do it? Same problem in industry. Failure breeds failure
12	Poll How do you motivate student’s to participate online? Open ended question
13	How to start? Technology is fairly easy. Management is hard. Online discussions start with an adoption decision. Starting and maintaining discussions
14	Adoption Decision The student must make the commitment to participate and continue to participate. Three foundations Social Presence Diffusion of Innovations Collective Action
15	Social Presence The feeling that another person is there. Peer-pressure Difficult to manufacture online No one wants to talk in an empty room. Introductory assignments
16	Diffusion of Innovations The process of adopting an innovative behavior Rogers, 1962 Key concepts Critical Mass Product Attributes Compatibility Complexity
17	Collective Action People coming together for a collective good. Olsen, 1965 People wait for others. Too much or too little participation affects. Orchestrating the conversation.
18	Effects of Foundation You must make people believe that others are going to participate. Participation must be integrated into class. Participation must be manageable for students. Instructors should orchestrate but not heavily participate.
19	The Assignment Must use some force if you use at all. A significant part of grade. A mix of quantitative and qualitative measures A definite first assignment Less definite continuing assignments.
20	System specific Should Student read ALL the messages. How many subgroups? News reports? NO! Replies more important than new messages. Track and encourage students Too low, too high, off topic.
21	Instructor’s roll Avoid interfering. Watch for offensive students. Bring discussion back into class. Encourage subgroups if acceptable Moderate 6 users 30 messages a week.
22	Consider The Alias Instructors stop conversation. Students assume instructor gives answer. An alias can say things and others will still question.
23	Open Poll Questions and comments? Open ended questions.
24	For More Information