Expectations for Online Engagement – Examples (2021)
Expectations for Online Engagement – Examples (2021)
Sharon Raz
This is an example for online discussion guidelines that I provide to my students. Providing students with guidelines for online engagement helps build a safer community in which students can feel that they belong and can share their experiences with others.
We are hoping to build a community of learning that is based on trust and respect, so we can all feel comfortable sharing our reflections, knowledge and ideas with one another. In addition to our verbal agreements and communication guidelines in class, it is important that we follow these online agreements:
- Our discussions will focus on the assigned content, and not on personal opinions (personal stories may be shared to demonstrate understanding of concepts but not to share an opinion). One of our primary commitments is to learn to take in new perspectives.
- Agreement vs. Understanding. We will be acquiring knowledge that many of us may not have received before now. The purpose of in-class discussions, activities, and written assignments will be to demonstrate your understanding of this transformative knowledge; agreement is neither essential nor required. Understanding is defined as to know the meaning of, comprehension of, knowledge of, gather information about, explore. Agreement is defined as to have the same opinion, consensus among, meeting of minds, dogmatic, set decision.
- Be Respectful. We acknowledge differences amongst us and agree to treat each other with respect and grace. Be mindful of taking up much more space than others. On the same note, empower yourself to speak up when others are dominating the conversation. Practice listening; don’t interrupt, let people finish. Keep in mind that people are at different developmental stages of their understanding of these concepts. Practice mindfulness; if you are at an advanced level of understanding, consider how you might contribute to everyone’s learning.
- Stay engaged. The content of this class tends to evoke personal reactions. Be prepared to feel uncomfortable, which is not the same as feeling unsafe. Students may feel one or more of the following at any given time: shock, denial, anger, sadness, disillusion, hopeless, guilty. Know that these are all normal and that you are not alone. And though these feelings are uncomfortable to experience, please know that you are in a safe environment to experience them. We ask that you stay open to listening and learning despite these feelings. If you are not feeling anything, ask yourself “Am I fully engaged?” You are encouraged to journal or seek out the instructor to process your feelings.
- Expect and accept non-closure. We are socialized to find solutions and closure to issues. Engaging in these discussions means there will be times of non-closure or solution. This may be another source of feeling uncomfortable. This is ongoing work for everyone that does not necessarily leave one walking away with positive feelings. Be