Fostering Student-Student Interactions in a First-Year Experience Course Taught Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Since 24 August 2022

Title: Fostering Student-Student Interactions in a First-Year Experience Course Taught Online during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Author: Vereen, Ethell, Morehouse College
Majewska, Ania A., Emory University
Publication Date: 2021-02-01
Decade: 2020-2029
Abstract: Online college courses can lack much-needed student interactions without live synchronous sessions. The need for socialization is particularly important for first-year students and has been of particular concern during the COVID-19 pandemic, when isolation is the new norm outside the classroom. Here we provide a perspective on the use of online synchronous sessions in a first-year biology course that encouraged student-student interactions and employed the culturally responsive teaching approach. We used group assignments, modeled on the jigsaw method, during our meetings and provided extra time outside of the dedicated class period to foster student collaboration, conversation, and social presence. We noted high attendance and participation in the synchronous sessions, suggesting effectiveness of the methods we used in student engagement and satisfaction.
Document Type: text
Format: application/pdf
Medium: articles
Source: Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education
Department: Department of Biology
Institution: Morehouse College
Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/mc.ir.fac.pub:2022_vereen_ethell
Rights Statement: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/