Luma Connections #5: Avoid Being the Sage on the Stage
Collaboration and connection are important for our social-emotional well-being. Importantly, Luma has conducted research and published the benefits for creating learning communities remotely. This year, Luma will provide specific strategies you can implement to connect learners remotely. We are calling these strategies our Luma Connections.
Teaching Strategy: Guide by the Side
Teaching Tool: Discussion Board
This is an online tool that allows learners to interact with each other to explore a topic and to discuss key concepts and concerts, share experiences, interact with each other, and to ask questions. Interactions are not in real-time and can be mentor-learner and learner-to-learner.
Tip:Avoid being the Sage on the Stage.
As the instructor, you are the knowledge expert but did you know that you can be the barrier a lively learning community by being a Sage on the Stage? The learners will wait for you to answer. The community is about the learners. Let their knowledge shine, and guide as needed.
How to be the Guide by the Side:
- Limit the number of times you post.
- Waiting is difficult. But wait for several people to join in the discussion.
- Ask thought-providing questions instead of solutions.
- Recognize learners that interact with each other with statements like, “Hey team, check out this interaction between X and Y. Have you ever eaten these healthy options on the road? Where do you go to find options like this? Keep up these types of discussions. They are valuable to our entire group.”
- Provide re-direction as needed.
- Summarize the discussion and highlights at the end of the discussion.
- Provide further questions for consideration.
Did you know?
Luma® is an instructional design and learning company that can help you connect learners remotely while creating powerful learning communities. Give us a call at (574) 807-8148 ext 5 or email info@learnwithluma.com.
