Chapter six begins by defining dialogue - the words between us - and facilitate - to make easy. So, the chapter is comprised of a number of partnership practices designed to "make the words between easy" (p. 43). The goal of partnerships are to: get to know each other, test ideas on another individual to avoid the initial risk of the whole group and to be lifted up by the growing energy in the room. Trio talks or table chats (4 people) are also options. To shift the focus in the classroom to participation requires creating opportunities. Dr Norris expands on five such opportunities:
Howdy and a Quote
Partner Interview
Sentence Completion
Verbal list and Share
Partner Circle and Share
Because I am primarily interested in distance education these examples will need to be tweaked and obviously their is no actual room to gain energy in. But, the importance of creating opportunities to focus on learners and partnerships is still extremely important in online education.
Featuring a step-by-step workshop design model that will transform you, your teaching, and your learners!
1 comment:
I wonder if encouraging students to pair up for a Skype call or similar for an activity like the ones you mention might build help facilitate dialogue. I know skyping with a classmate about a team project really helped us both feel more connected with the online program and know that we had a "real" classmate out there!
Post a Comment