How To Create Sociability in Three Ways - Synchronously, Face-to-Face, and Asynchronously: Methods for Enforcing Student Connections Digitally and In Person

Abstract

Prior to the pandemic, students who were seeking an online education were mostly doing so for flexibility and easy access. However, once we all shifted online, the need to blend the traditional on the ground experience with online education became clear. Through this workshop, attendees will learn action-based methodologies for establishing community in an online setting. Some of these best-practices discussed include, building community, establishing common truths and goals, leveraging the instructor’s background and expertise to create open dialogue. Moreover, attendees will experience a conversation in building equity. Since the playing field in online education has been leveled, it’s critical that online educators build equitable practices in their classrooms. Through this workshop, we’ll also explore online tools and resources that can be used to specifically foster community. Lastly, project-based and group learning is key to successful online delivery, and we’ll investigate how powerful collaboration can be in a digital format. This session is built on anecdotal evidence from Simmons University’s online program.

Presenters

Kristina Markos
Online Program Director and Associate Professor of Practice, Public Relations, Simmons University, Massachusetts, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Workshop Presentation

Theme

Considering Digital Pedagogies

KEYWORDS

Building Community, Online Education, Fostering Connections, Collaboration, Project Based Learning