Both fully online and hybrid class formats are less amenable to smooth and interactive class discussions. It is more difficult to identify students, for students to hear one another, and there can be a choppy flow to the discussion.
Recommendations
- For synchronous discussions, faculty must take a more directive role in managing the discussion. This includes:
- Verbally calling out students by name—both in-room and online
- Repeating students’ names and comments/questions through the mic
- Slowing down the speed of turn-taking in the discussion
- Due to the challenges of synchronous large-group discussions, faculty should consider using small group breakouts (Zoom breakout groups) and asynchronous discussion threads as supplementary paths for engagement among students
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Students have an opportunity to engage with one another and learn about one another’s perspectives
- A blended approach to class discussion—that uses a small amount of large group discussion, some small group discussion, and asynchronous discussion—may preserve class engagement without introducing excessive transaction costs
Cons
- In the hybrid model, large group discussions may lead online students to feel alienated, especially if faculty do not actively engage them
- In a hybrid or fully online model, the stifled audio and choppy turn taking may render this course component ineffective for engaging students
- Instead, it may be a source of significant frustration