Journal 3 - "Keep Them Chatting"

Cole, Jeanie (2009, February). Keep Them Chatting. Learning and Leading with Technology, 36, Retrieved February, 2009, from http://www.learningandleading-digital.com/learning_leading/200902/
The article by Jeanie Cole about online discussions and classroom chats is not rocket science. However, she touches on several great points about holding educational chat rooms. Cole suggests several different methods of conversation, which helps students get excited and respond beyond the minimum requirements. "High level open-ended questions" give students the opportunity to respond using their imagination and historical facts. "The Inquiry Method" allows students to respond to a potential problem by researching the topic and possible effects of something. I personally like this method the best because I believe students love to think extreme, which gives them the ability to research and create worst case scenarios for a particular topic. "The discrepant event inquiry method" allows students to think outside the box with unexplained phenomenons. Students enjoy voicing their opinions, and there are so many great ideas and potential explanations from students for historical phenomenons.

Question 1: Why do students take online classes that require class chat discussions?

Answer: Ok, I know I am being the cynic here, but I was a student who used to take online classes at one time. I believe the majority of students take online classes for one major reason. The first being they think it will be easier and they like the idea of not having to show up and participate in class. Perfect! These students are ideal for the class chat rooms because they are able to express their own voice, ideas, and reason without having the fear of public speaking or harsh looks!

Question 2: Why are open ended questions so important?

Answer: I believe open ended questions intrigue and stimulate a student's thought process. When a student is given an open ended question they are able to think without limits. The student may have requirements that must be met, but their ideas and insight is limitless and encouraged to be original and descriptive.