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Designing E-tivities for Groups
Working in the online environment demands prior design and posting of instructions. Once done however, the instructions can be modified and reused for many groups over time. E-tivities were developed to ensure the best of low-cost networked techniques in the interests of successful group work of all kinds online. Because of these special features, we call them 'e-tivities'. They can be adapted and used for almost all the techniques described in this book.
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The key features of an e-tivity are described below. Each one should be developed into one clear on-screen message, which we call the 'invitation'.
- The spark
A small piece of information, stimulus or challenge. This can be a short reading, a quote, a picture or whatever you wish. But ensure it is highly accessible through the online environment.
- The individual action
Request a clear response from each participant, and show them where to post their response message.
- Response to others (the dialogue commences)
Indicate clearly how they should answer, develop and help others.
- Summary, critique, feedback, weave from the e-moderator
Indicate when and in what format the plenary will happen.
An example invitation from an All things in Moderation E-tivities Course in 2005.
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Getting a group to work together
E-tivities need to be clear and simple to follow. They should give a reason to participate that is motivating and emphasises the purpose for the group's activity. Group activities will often be about gathering and assembling information, such as building a list of websites associated with a topic or a list of aspects of a topic of particular interest to participants.
The process and roles must be considered too! Here are a few of the questions to think through:
- What is the purpose of the group?
- How will the group interact?
- What threads will the group need?
- How long will the e-tivity last - calendar time, online time, offline time?
- Who will take the lead, summarise and chase up the latecomers?
- What form do you want the output to be in and where do you want the output to be placed?
- How will the contributions be assessed?
The acid test for the quality of the instructions for setting up a successful group e-tivity is that no one needs to ask any questions to clarify the instructions. However, do ask a naïve user to check your own e-tivities before you go live - such people have an uncanny knack of asking penetrating questions! Now for your challenge!
<All the above serves as the 'spark'>
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E-tivity 3.2: Group working <number and title essential>
Purpose: to practise writing instructions for a group task. <always tell them why it's worth taking part>
Task: Design a motivating e-tivity before Wednesday at noon, and post it in E-tivity 3.2, to get your online group to perform a simple exchange of information on a topic of your choice and produce a summary of the issues they consider to be most important. <indication of what they should do, by when and where to post their message>
Respond: by returning to the forum from Wednesday afternoon and commenting on the 'sparks' - things that excite you - in other participants' e-tivities. <indication of what to do next>
Plenary: I will summarise on Saturday- please make sure you have contributed by then and come in over the weekend to pick up the summary. Key points from this e-tivity will be used as a spark for our next one. - Good luck! Terry, your e-convenor.
<indication of time scale and how output will be used>
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