Collab Communities in E-Lrng-SU13-960C-1096 Module 4 - Small Group Crimson - Scenarios 4 Refer to course pages for directions.

Please do not post until the practice facilitator posts the prompt. Thus far this week... Laura Pearle - Jul 12, 2013 8:42 AM In our conversation about conflict, the question of how we (as facilitators) handle those students who are deliberately antagonizing others. In the example gave, there was a student who proceeded to find every article he could to refute the validity of using rubrics in assessment. The instructor was relatively silent during the course this discussion, but the students in the class immediately began to dispute his refutations based on their own research and anecdotal evidence. It was really a heated debate. I think we're all in agreement that heated debates, backed with "literature" that supports one or the other point of view are a great way to learn but the question of tone is important and when posts start becoming almost ad hominum attacks, something needs to be done. That led to a conversation about the need for adding netiquette to the discussion grading rubric, something missing from our rubric (and from that of at least one other that I, your humble practice facilitator, has from this certificate course). Patrica suggests that [n]etiquette is usually addressed at the beginning of the course and she compare[s] it to preparing students to work in cooperative groups and giving them the language on how to comment, respond and give constructive feedback to their peers. From what you remember from your other online classes, has netiquette been addressed as class is starting, either via rubric or other method? How does this differ from F2F situations - do teachers address "polite discussion" before classes begin? As part of this discussion we also talked about the need for the facilitator to validate (which, putting on my classmate hat for a moment, is one of those touchy-feely words that raises my hackles: I prefer using the word "acknowledge", as "validating" implies that every comment is valid, when it may not be! /classmate hat) what everyone is saying. Kait commented that I was thinking that probably to most difficult part is staying neutral and not having bias. It makes me think of the moderators in presidential debates and how much it angers me when I feel they aren't neutral or they are picking a side. I know there are instances when one party has to be incorrect (like someone arguing that 2+2=5). and goes on to suggest that the instructor could keep prompting with more questions that might lead the discussion a certain way or help people see different points of view. For the last few days of our conversation, let's focus on how an instructor could faciltate a discussion when they personally disagree with one or the other point of view, or have a personal animus against the student (for example, I worked with an instructor who was overly critical of in-class discussions and assignments handed in by students who came from a conservative point of view, when she was incredibly liberal). How easy is it to overlook that and remain neutral? or perhaps at times it's permissable to allow our own point-of-view/biases show?

Laura P / Carmel NY Re: Love the recap! - Jul 12, 2013 10:51 AM Thanks for summarizing things for us Laura! You asked "How easy is it to overlook that and remain neutral? or perhaps at times it's permissible to allow our own point-of-view/biases show?" I think this can be so difficult! This makes me think of my history class. Especially during election years, we have a lot discussions about different political point of views. My co-teacher and I really just want our students to learn to have an opinion and back their beliefs. It can be difficult at times to never say that a student is wrong for thinking a certain way or praise another student for thinking this way. You really have to just keep asking questions and let the students talk it out themselves. It makes me angry sometimes because I know their are some teachers that push one side or lead these young minds to thinking one way or the other. I think this is the same for facilitating online discussions. When is it permissible to let your own point of view show, well, I'm not sure. I guess I like it when online instructors share resources or ideas they have found helpful in their own experience, but if a debate is happening between students, I think it is inappropriate for a teacher to come in and say which way is "the right way" to think.

Re: Thus far this week... - Jul 12, 2013 10:27 PM

Laura, Outstanding recap! This really helped to summarize our discussion up to this point. I will comment later on your questions as I am entertaining 80-100 guests at my home Saturday for my daughter's graduation from high school and send off to college. I realize this is a personal note but I want all to be aware I probably won't be back online until late Saturday night if I have any energy or Sunday afternoon.
Laura's Recap, Well Done! - Jul 14, 2013 3:11 PM

Laura's succinct recap was excellent in summarizing our discussion. Remaining neutral in a debate is difficult but not impossible. You cannot overlook but you can ask pertinent questions which will enable both sides of the issue to be discussed. As the instructor it is not wise to allow your point of view or biases to be shown because it could influence the students and hinder their process of analysis and critical thinking.

Silence is Golden - Jul 14, 2013 3:39 PM 's advice to remain unbiased is important to allow students to think critically. The middle schoolers I taught would constantly pester me for my opinions about topics up for debate. I used to tell them jokingly that I got paid to teach them to think not to teach them what I think. Re: Silence is Golden - Jul 14, 2013 11:20 PM , I love your response that you get paid to teach them to think,not what you think. I have to use that line with my middle schoolers when they ask me that question. It is the truth and they need to understand that critical thinking is a life skill that should be developed early on in life to enable them to intelligent decisions as young people into adulthood. I believe this is part of the Common Core in teaching students to learn deeply not just cover material. 's advice to remain unbiased is important to allow students to think critically. The middle schoolers I taught would constantly pester me for my opinions about topics up for debate. I used to tell them jokingly that I got paid to teach them to think not to teach them what I think.