protype model using technology to enhance engagement

A response to the It’s Alive! Activity
created by Lisa Macdonald (@Lisa)

Number of views: 147


Activity

Prototype: Virtual Peer Interaction Space

 

Challenge: Many students struggle to actively engage in online classes, not coming on camera leading to reduced interaction with peers and instructors, which can result in feelings of isolation.

 

Idea and Prototype Description:

 

  1. Concept: propose the development of a virtual peer interaction space that fosters student collaboration and social interaction within the online learning environment.

 

  1. Features: After discussions and using the empathy map to get feedback decided on Virtual campus meetings concept: Students access a virtual campus where they can navigate through different spaces, including common areas, peer study room, and discussion forum.

 

 

Real-Time Communication: Students can engage in real-time text chat, voice chat, and video conferencing with peers. They can also form study groups and conduct group discussions.

 

Collaborative Tools: Started Virtual whiteboards, document sharing, and co-editing tools usage for collaborative projects and assignments.

Providing class time to do these bonding activities; this helps students get comfortable with each other and learn about each other, ensuring a certain level of trust between them by the time the project begins.

 

Scheduled Events: Scheduled one to one and group virtual meeting,and discussion sessions. Students receive notifications about these events.

I check in with my students regularly throughout the term to ensure they are meeting consistently and meeting project milestones on schedule. I want to identify any problems as the project progresses, rather than after they’ve made a submission.

Here are a few ways I am doing now:

Use interactive polls during class sessions to ask students where in the project they’re at—whether they’ve started or completed certain steps, for example. This gives you an idea of whether any groups might be falling behind.

Talk to students directly when you see them in class; this can make them feel more accountable. Use check ins to remind students of where they should be in the project and provide them opportunities to seek help for any issues or conflicts.

Build draft submission into the project steps. This is a great way to get students started on tasks and make improvements as they go. I provide general feedback to the whole class based on these drafts. You can also have students provide feedback to each other.

 

 

  1. Pilot Testing:

 

I will have a pilot test with a group of students from diverse courses and backgrounds to evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual peer interaction space.

 

  1. Iterative Design:Based on feedback from the pilot test, I have made several changes like of time and activities on Kahoot ,padlet. One of the changes I incorporated into my course after reflection was to dedicate a lecture in the first week to introducing the group project and allowing students to ask questions. Previously, I asked students to read the project instructions on their own time, but some students didn’t, and others were unclear about expectations.

Introducing the project during the live lecture allowed students to see the full picture of the project and ask questions to clarify things. It also gave me the opportunity to provide tips for group work, such as establishing group roles, setting actionable goals, and running meetings effectively.

This technology-based prototype aims to address the learner challenge by providing students with a virtual space for social interaction and collaborative learning, enhancing their sense of connection and engagement in the online learning environment.

 

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