In the first week of your
online class, provide students with
opportunities to familiarize themselves with each other and with you.
A common way to do this is with one or more 'Getting To Know You'
activities that can be posted as discussion board or forum
topics.
This section includes
sample introduction activities which you may adapt for your own course.
-
What Kind of Animal?
This activity provides
an informal way for participants to learn about each other and begin
working together.
Source: Dave Searcey,
Instructional Designer, Air Education and Training Command, USAF.
- Things
This activity
introduces students' interests and background to classmates in an
innovative way.
Author: J. Ana
Donaldson, Ed.D., University of Northern Iowa
Source: Engaging the
Online Learner, Rita‐Marie Conrad, J. Ana Donaldson, 2004
-
Innovative Getting To Know You Activities
Gilly Salmon presents
a great
list of ice breakers and getting-to-know-you activities for online
groups.
Source: E‐tivities: The key to active Online
Learning. Gilly Salmon. Routledge Falmer 2002.
- Ten Online Icebreakers
Joitske Hulsebosch's Blog, Lasagna and Chips has an interesting list of online icebreakers. Comments by readers include more ideas.
- Using Online Icebreakers to Promote Student/Teacher Interaction
In addition to activities, this University of South Alabama resource has a rationale for encouraging interaction among online learners.
- In-person icebreakers
For those of you teaching a hybrid course, with some face-to-face time with students, here are some icebreakers for you from Teaching Today by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill .
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