The First Week

The Crucial First Week:

My research into attrition and retention (described in the Capstone Report) convinces me that the first week of a class is when drop out risk is the greatest. It is during this first phase that a drop out decision is the easiest to make. The technology may be disorienting and fill the learner with a sense of inadequacy. No bonding has taken place. The path ahead looks strange and taxing.

Online courses induce a great deal of initial anxiety. Not only are students expected to comprehend the academic content of instruction, they must learn the navigational nuances of the course presentation itself. The more quickly you orient the learner and build a sense of belonging the better.

Is is important to start this class with thoughtful personal contact. You want your learner to understand that caring people with knowledge and understanding are just an e-mail away. You want your learner to think of email as a slow, thoughtful, professional conversation.

With this in mind, Module 1 activities are intended to reassure the learner that they have come to the right place at the right time. Module 1 has more social and academically light activities than the other modules in the course. Learners need some time to get comfortable.

Goals for Module 1:

The goal of the first module of the course is to establish a safe learning environment. One of the underlying themes of multicultural education is creating a safe and inclusive classroom environment. It is important to 'walk the talk.  Participants are asked to do the following activities:

• Practice navigating the course website
• Make an icebreaker post to introduce themselves to the class
• Define and discuss the concept of respect
• Agree as a community on the Ground Rules for our discussions
• Review several Web resource readings
• Take a cultural risk with food
• Begin a reflective journal

First Steps to Community:

I is important for learner's to cross the threshold and begin active participation quickly. Activity 2: Respect Icebreaker: Getting to Know You is a social ‘icebreaking' discussion that helps the learner practice online discussion in a low threat, and engaging fashion. It is important for everyone to post early in the class. This the first interactive connection the learner makes with the group. This is the first ‘touch' with community. As facilitator, be sure to respond thoughtfully to each icebreaker. Model the kind of responses you want to see your students make.  Post your own icebreaker to lead off the discussion. (See Icebreaker for an example post.)

Also ask the class to set the ground rules for discussion in Activity 3: Community Building Experience Establish Ground Rules. This method, suggested by Paul Gorski at the Multicultural Supersite , helps online learners understand that they are in charge of the learning environment. It's a step toward building a learner-centered environment.