Brightspace Tools that Support Collaboration and Peer-to-Peer Engagement
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In this article I outline a list of tools that Brightspace offers that promote some of the principles that govern the theory of connectivism (mentioned in my previous article, What is Connectivism), such as opportunities for learners to interact with others and share knowledge and experiences.
So what tools are available in Brightspace for Collaboration and Peer-to-Peer Engagement?
Discussion Tool
The discussion tool is a great tool to use to generate conversations between learner to learner and learner to instructor and increase engagement between learner to content. These are some tips for using the discussion tool to increase student engagement and collaboration.
Peer-to-Peer
The discussion board is a great way to get students conversing about course content with each other. Sometimes this communication can be one way, between learner and instructor, but it doesn’t have to be. Encourage your learners to engage with their peers by responding to their peers’ posts. Use the “learners must start a new thread before they can view or reply to other threads” option to ensure originality in responses.
Assess Discussions
Assign a grade to discussion posts to incentivise students to engage in discussions with other learners. Instructors can rate their students’ posts (based on a pre-set criteria), as well, they can enable other students to rate each others’ posts.
Video note
Students can engage with each other in different ways, not just through text. For example, you can encourage your learners to respond using the audio or video recording option that is available through video note. Video note allows students to insert video recordings through Brightspace editor’s Insert Stuff option. This is particularly beneficial for students to introduce themselves and get to know each other in a more personal level.
Netiquette
As an instructor, it is your responsibility to set clear guidelines for netiquette, i.e., how to reply to peers’ posts in a respectful manner. It is important that proper netiquette is communicated to learners to establish respectful online interactions.
Groups Tool
The Groups tool is a great tool to use to organize your class into smaller groups. There are numerous use cases for this tool including to assign group assignments and provide a space for students to collaborate through group discussions. These are some tips for using the Groups tool to increase student engagement and collaboration.
Group Organization
Create groups based on the specific needs of your course. Consider grouping students based on common interests, project requirements, or complementary skills. Clearly communicate the group structure and members to ensure everyone knows their group assignments.
Group Roles
Assign specific roles within each group, such as a leader, facilitator, note-taker, or timekeeper. This helps distribute responsibilities and ensures that each group member has a defined role in the collaborative process.
Goals and objectives
Clearly define the goals and objectives for each group. Provide explicit instructions on the desired outcomes and deliverables. This helps focus the collaboration efforts and ensures that everyone is working towards a common purpose.
Collaborative Tools
Brightspace offers various collaboration tools that can be utilized within the Groups tool. Encourage group members to utilize features such as discussion boards, document sharing, or video conferencing to facilitate collaboration and information sharing.
Virtual Classroom
Virtual Classroom is an online scheduled meeting where learners can learn, communicate, and collaborate using livestream video coordinated by their instructor. These are some tips for using Virtual Classroom to increase student engagement and collaboration.
Note: Some of the features mentioned may be part of the premium Virtual Classroom offering, while others may be part of the standard offering. Check with your organization to be sure which features are available to you.
Breakout Rooms
Utilize breakout rooms: Brightspace's virtual classroom often offers breakout room functionality. Divide students into smaller groups to facilitate focused discussions and collaboration. Assign specific tasks or topics for each breakout group to work on and encourage them to share their findings or conclusions with the larger class afterward.
Peer learning
Foster peer learning: Encourage students to learn from one another by assigning collaborative projects or group assignments. This not only promotes collaboration but also helps students develop their teamwork and communication skills. Provide clear instructions and guidelines for these assignments, including expectations for individual contributions and group dynamics.
Interactive Tools
Use interactive tools: Brightspace offers various interactive tools that can enhance collaboration. Utilize features like chat, polls, whiteboards, and document sharing to facilitate real-time collaboration. These tools can encourage active engagement and make collaboration more dynamic and interactive.
If you are thinking of ways to increase collaboration in your course, consider using these tools.
Resources:
For more information on the tools covered in this article consult these resources from Brightspace Community.
Comments
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Paul, you've included a lot of great tools that help create a sense of community that provides an excellent learning environment. Another tool that can help with this is the Activity Feed, as learners can post current events that relate to the course topics and respond to each other and to the instructor in a way that resembles social media.
