BOWS Blitz 2022
Effective Communication Techniques in Large Enrolment Courses
What is it about?
This snapshot is from the 2022 BOWS Blitz Large Enrolment Series. Effective communication in a large online enrolment course can build community, increase learner motivation, and facilitate student learning. Effective communication centers around a consistent instructor presence. In this panel discussion, participants heard from large enrolment faculty and instructors as they shared their experiences and explore communication techniques for large enrolment courses.
The panel discussed communication strategies tailored for large classes. The panelists reviewed the benefits of establishing instructor presence to effectively communicate with students in large blended and online learning environments, explored opportunities for creating effective communication in large blended and online learning class and identified communication tools that promote community and student learning in large blended and online courses.
The panelists shared strategies for efficiently communicating within large class courses and noted the importance of clear, direct communication to facilitate student understanding and engagement within large enrolment classes.
- Utilize an open-Zoom policy as an alternative to set office hours, allowing students to schedule one-on-one interactions for more personalized communication.
- Implement a separate D2L Question and Answer discussion board, not just for questions but also to foster meaningful student conversations and community building online.
The workshop explored balancing formal and informal communication methods for effective communication within large enrolment classes.
- Establish clear communication guidelines in the syllabus, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect among students and instructors.
- Foster an environment of open dialogue, where educators actively create safe spaces for students to ask questions and engage in open communication.
- Implement the "Parking Lot Method" using a Jamboard format, enabling educators to provide a dedicated space where students can informally ask questions from previous lectures without disrupting ongoing class sessions.
These panelists offered suggestions for clarity and consistency in communication with students in large enrolment settings. They also shared strategies for involving Teaching Assistants (TAs) in these communication processes.
- Ensure clarity and consistency in communication with large classes through familiar platforms like D2L, using automated announcements and emails through D2L for streamlined and consistent messaging.
- Engage Teaching Assistants in monitoring class chats and supporting communication efforts, thereby maintaining effective and continuous interaction with students.
Contributors: Dr. Jennifer Jackson, PhD, Dr. Amber J. Porter, PhD, and Dr. Cyndee Seneviratne
Prepared by: Raisa Jivani, EdD Candidate, Lorelei Anselmo, M.Ed., Dr. Alysia C. Wright, PhD
This summary was prepared by Raisa Jivani as part of the Flanagan Foundation Initiative at the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary.