Building a Social Network

Here are some tips 'n techniques for helping build a social network with online students:
1. Call each student and welcome him/her within the first week of class, commenting on something the student said about himself/herself in the Introductions and asking if s/he has any questions.
2. Host a teleconference or a live chat several days before a large assignment is due.
3. In the Introduction discussion forum, link students together with comments: "Can anyone comment on what you see your peers having in common?"
4. Although emoticions can be dorky, their use can offer an informal, friendly atmosphere. Use sparingly.
5. Tell stories about yourself, related to the topic, that describe yourself as a human being rather than an icon.
6. Adopt any techniques you use in the on-campus environment for online that provides for ice-breaking activities. Please offer some here.

Student Engagement

In a recent study by the University of Calgary, using the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), five factors were analyzed in blended classes:
1. Active and collaborative learning
2. Student interactions with faculty members
3. Level of academic challenge
4. Enriching educational experiences
5. Supportive campus environment.
The conclusions were that "Grades, persistence, student satisfaction and engagement go hand-in-hand.

A consistent theme at the Sloan-C conference was that faculty facilitation was not enough to ensure rich learning. The faculty needed to be engaged with the students as much as the students needed to be engaged with the faculty member.

Vaughan, N. & Garrison, R. (2007, November). Blended Learning and Student Engagement. Paper presented at the meeting of the Sloan-C Conference, Orlando, Florida.