for Effective Teaching through Online Environments

Workshop: Dealing with Sensitive Issues in Online Discussion
Regina Pulliam, Louis Graham, Jane Harris, University of North Carolina Greensboro
Nancy Fire, North Carolina State University

Overview

There are effective practices for setting up discussions that lower the possibility of things getting out of hand. It is not possible to plan for every eventuality, however, so what happens when a discussion goes haywire? What strategies can an instructor use? Explore this issue through the scenario provided.

Initial Activity

Write down a brief response to the following question:

Think of a time in a class that you were either taking, observing, or teaching when discussion either got touchy or out of hand .
Note 3 key points about what happened and some thoughts about how would you might handle it differently now.

Clip - Online Discussion

Listen to this audio clip of an online discussion, then note the reactions of the participants below.
Please use the color-coded PDF version transcript attached.

Get the Flash Player to listen to audio.
 Color-coded Text Transcript (PDF)

Reactions of Discussion Participants

Pat RyanPat Ryan
At first, I was afraid I couldn't handle the technology. But when it started, I thought, this might be okay.

But then, egads! The students just took it over. Their feelings were strong to the point of being disrespectful of one another. By the time they addressed the question specifically, they were at odds to the point that they didn't seem to be able to listen to one another.

What about those messages with all caps and multiple exclamation points and disrespectful language? I wondered whether they were really reading all the posts - including mine! This never happens in my classroom - never! This online discussion may work for some faculty, but I don't think it's for me.


AnthonyAnthony
Discussin online was a little frustrating for me at first because all this tech stuff is new, but I think I'm startin to get the hang of it.


I didn't feel like writing at first cause none of the other students it don't seem like they think like I do and they kept correctin my words and telling me I was wrong and stuff.


But I think it's probably a good thing for all the students to talk about how they feel about this kinda stuff.

OminotagoOminotago
I feel so good today. Oh, I like this discussion but... hmmm... I noticed that I was the only woman in this group and I bet you I was the only Native American.

No one should have to suffer the way we Native American's have. I know this could be a great opportunity to express this hurt and pain .... but... I just don't want to go there!

I love all people! Everyone needs the same right to an education and I'm going to let them know this. Life is great!

GeorgeGeorge
This is a serious issue and they aren't taking it seriously. This is so frustrating,.

Why does Ms. Ryan allow people to keep using the term "illegal aliens". It's so offensive. I'm getting so angry, I can't even reply.

As a member of an ethnic minority extremely affected by the topic of discussion, I do not feel that this on-line learning environment is very safe or controlled. At least since it was online I got to tell them exactly what I wanted to say.


Reflection Activity

Take five minutes to think about the questions below. Then discuss your answers with a partner and share your thoughts with the group .

  1. What things happened that hindered constructive discussion?
  2. What could Pat have done to fix the situation during the discussion?
  3. What would you recommend to Pat for her future online discussions?

Follow-up Resources

Brookfield, S. (2006). Discussion as a Way of Teaching.
Downloaded from http://www.stephenbrookfield.com/Dr._Stephen_D._Brookfield/Workshop_Materials_files/Discussion_Materials.pdf, 2/1/10.
See the definition of Discussion (and the distinction from Conversation or Dialogue) p. 2, and Why Discussions Fail, p. 3.

Brookfield, S. (Summer 2005). Overcoming Impostorship, Cultural Suicide, and Lost Innocence: Implications for Teaching Critical Thinking in the Community College. New Directions for Community Colleges, 130, 49-57.
Downloaded from http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/110532598/PDFSTART, 5/20/09.

When Things Get Hot: Guidelines for Online Discussion.
Downloaded from http://www.tltgroup.org/profacdev/DangerousDiscussions/guidelines.htm#When%20Things%20Get%20Hot, 5/18/2009.
From article by Peter Frederick, cited at this URL.

Walker, K. (2004). Activity Systems and Conflict Resolution in an Online Professional Communication Course. Business Communication Quarterly 67 (2), 182-197.
Downloaded from http://bcq.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/67/2/182, 05/19/09.