Communication+Resources

Tutorials on Course Features and Basics to Nurture Online Communities
//Vickie Witt//
 * =//**Course Feature/Basics**//= || =//**Tutorial Provided by D2L**//= || =//**Online Community Possibilities**//= ||
 * =Blog= || [[file:blog.pdf]] || Blogs are a communication tool that allows interaction by posting questions, discussions, opinions and comments among facilitator and participants. Through using the Blog Tool, information shared can then be viewed and commented on by others. ||
 * =Chat= || [[file:chat.pdf]] || The Chat Tool enables the facilitator and participants to engage in real-time text discussions to expand on content as well as further understanding. ||
 * =Content= || [[file:content.pdf]] || Through the content of the course, the facilitator must continue to keep focused on the content and continuously keep the participants engaged in the content through asking questions and asking for participants to expand on their postings/comments. ||
 * =Course Tools= || [[file:course_tools.pdf]] || There are many course tools that are within the D2L program/site. As a facilitator, you should keep in mind that the course is to gain the knowledge that is in the content and utilize tools that will work hand-in-hand with that content. Not to overwhelm and create 'busy' work. ||
 * =Discussions= || [[file:discussions.pdf]] || A facilitator can nurture online community and discussions through the questions that are provided in the course shell. It is the facilitators responsibility to build the sense of 'online presence and community' by generating additional questions to the participants to expand on the topic up for discussion along with asking participants to explain further or give examples or personal experiences. ||
 * =Email= || [[file:email.pdf]] || Email is a survival tool in the online facilitating world it seems! Utilize email to keep your participants, in the know of what you need them to pay attention to. Perhaps send an email along with posting your message as a NEWS Item. It will provide more than one way to keep the information in front of them. ||
 * =Groups and Sections= || [[file:groups_sections.pdf]] || Utilizing the Manage Groups tools is a way to create group work areas for participants to work. This allows them to organize work for projects or assignments. This is a great way for online collaboration to occur without overloading the discussion threaded area with postings that are not related to the actual question posed. ||