Updated: 2 September 2020
Open and private spaces. Consider how you will communicate with students, both openly and privately. Encourage students to build their own online networks for peer support.
Maintain regular communication with your cohort, and provide means for them to contact you privately and openly. Moodle forums can be a means to respond to one student query to the benefit of the whole group.
The incidental conversations between students which happen in gaps between formal teaching on campus will not happen online unless you make space for them. For cohorts without established social ties, consider setting up smaller peer group with access to their own forums using the Groups facility in Moodle. Alternatively, direct students to Microsoft Teams chat as a way of keeping in touch with their support group.
Communication builds social bonds and can also be a powerful tool for learning. Using digital tools for students to share, debate and create can be a very engaging learning experience. Setting up a task with clear expectations and tight parameters will scaffold them as they build confidence in expressing opinions. Structured online activities can be underpinned by inclusive values where students from different backgrounds and countries are given equitable opportunities to participate, and all students are encouraged to listen, be supportive and tolerant.
Ensure the module team contact details are posted on Moodle and provide a second point of contact if you are unavailable, which is also in your out of office email reply.
Principle 8: Work With Colleagues >>
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