Maslow's hierarchy of needs tells us one of the foundational levels of human need, along with physiological comfort and physical safety, is to "affiliate with others and feel accepted". In fact, of the first four basic needs, the online environment can really only address two; the others being "to achieve, be competent; gain approval and recognition."
The old criticism that online courses can feel sterile is horrifically true if there is a lack of interaction. Without "seeing" the presence of others, students feel isolated, frustrated and lonely, according to research. The fact that online courses are popular for their asynchronous, "anytime/anywhere" convenience means some students will log in consistently after work at 1am PST when it is most convenient to their schedule, and find that literally there is no other student in the "room".
Establishing a warm and interactive environment during the first week of class helps ease students' anxiety about the lonely nature of online courses. Take a moment and consider how you'll break the ice during the first week of your own online course. What should that activity look like? What will help your students get to know you, or one another?
Icebreaker ideas
The easiest and most basic form of a first-week icebreaker is a simplified version of the posting assignment I am giving you in this class using a discussion board: "Tell us a bit about yourself, and why you are taking this class. What do you hope to learn in here?" The second part of the question is helpful to determine student expectations. You may be surprised at the answers, and please do not take it personally if they say "I have to take the class in order to graduate." :-)
You may want to get a bit more creative, however. I have kept a tickler list of icebreaker ideas over the years, but recently I saw most of my collection plus a few new ideas in this great post by Joitske Hulsebosch. If your class is large, you may want to add instructions that students should seek out others who have not had as many responses, in order to prevent anyone from feeling neglected.
The importance of being there
No matter how you prod your students to come out of their shells and meet one another, it is essential that you are actively involved in welcoming them. Consider the first week of class to be an intense time of party hosting, and your guests are unusually shy and reticent to enter your event. Greet them by name, and engage with them. You are setting the tone for the remainder of the class, and you are reassuring your students that there is a human being on the other side of the screen.
Icebreaker ideas
The easiest and most basic form of a first-week icebreaker is a simplified version of the posting assignment I am giving you in this class using a discussion board: "Tell us a bit about yourself, and why you are taking this class. What do you hope to learn in here?" The second part of the question is helpful to determine student expectations. You may be surprised at the answers, and please do not take it personally if they say "I have to take the class in order to graduate." :-)
You may want to get a bit more creative, however. I have kept a tickler list of icebreaker ideas over the years, but recently I saw most of my collection plus a few new ideas in this great post by Joitske Hulsebosch. If your class is large, you may want to add instructions that students should seek out others who have not had as many responses, in order to prevent anyone from feeling neglected.
The importance of being there
No matter how you prod your students to come out of their shells and meet one another, it is essential that you are actively involved in welcoming them. Consider the first week of class to be an intense time of party hosting, and your guests are unusually shy and reticent to enter your event. Greet them by name, and engage with them. You are setting the tone for the remainder of the class, and you are reassuring your students that there is a human being on the other side of the screen.
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