ASSIGNMENT: Discussion Leader

Since this class is a hybrid, we meet asynchronously during the off-air weeks. These asynchronous meetings are to be student-led discussions of the readings.

Gulp.What does that mean?

This means that every student in this class will lead a threaded discussion in the class discussion forum sometime during the semester.

First, choose a chapter that appeals to you that is scheduled for a Bb week. Notice that we have more students than we have Bb meetings, so during some weeks, two of you will be able to lead your discussions.

Once you have your chapter and its week, begin crafting a thoughtful, well-planned discussion question, one to which your colleagues can respond with more than yes/no…one that causes them to ponder the topic at length and craft a well-prepared response in return, one that stimulates an interplay of discussion on their part as they respond to one another, just as they might in a face-to-face classroom. This discussion question can require that respondents incorporate their readings, their experiences….. it is up to you.

The process:

(1) Submit to Dr. Duggan (mduggan@odu.edu) your first three choices of weeks during which you wish to facilitate a discussion. She will assign you one of those weeks by return email.

(2) Choose your discussion topic for that week, making sure that it relates to the week's topic as given in the planner.If you are not sure, contact either course instructor and we will be happy to assist you with the topic.

(3) Create your discussion question, submitting it to the instructors for approval.

(4) Once the question is approved, we will post it in Bb for you.

(5) Monitor the discussion board, being sure that everyone posts a response, and facilitating their responses to one another.

(6) Submit a report to the instructor by the next class meeting.The report should be in APA (of course!) and include the following information:

* The actual discussion question

* The rationale behind your question (i.e., why did you choose this question? What were you hoping to find?)

* An explanation of your method of coding (I.e., read "the Search for Codable Moment," Developing Themes and Codes," and your text for assistance with this segment.

* An analysis of your colleagues' responses, noting overall themes that arose during the discussion. Remember, while colleagues responded with their names, no names or identifying information should be included in this report.

* A conclusion that ties the report together.