I had served as Area Governor overseeing the functioning of 5 geographically contiguous groups way back in the Philippines, but let me talk about my current membership as VP-Education with the Wooster Heights Toastmasters Club at nearby Danbury. The dream that draws the members together is that of being a better speaker and leader via Toastmasters. And just as in other clubs, the group has governance and it has goals for which members work out a 2-pronged program for Communication and for Leadership.
To achieve the first tract, they deliver speeches during meetings which are evaluated by their peers to advance through the norms Competent Toastmaster, Advanced Toastmaster, Distinguished Toastmaster. For the second tract, members serve as club officers, as participants in the meetings like that of Toastmaster of the Day (the emcee), the General Evaluator, or they may conduct seminars, among others. Needless to say, all these roles contribute to the club's own goals towards corresponding norms like being Distinguished in diverse levels as well. The positive nature of the membership interaction is brought about in evaluating and mentoring of each other: camaraderie and a high level of goal setting. On the other hand, there would be the negative, competitive aspects of pride and jealousy which adversely affects the club's healthy existence.
On the online learning scenario, I could pick up some ideas from Toastmasters. Social presence is one aspect that permeates all human endeavor, thus, as in Toastmasters, I would also consider this with my students: have them in small groups, have groups interact with others, play up leadership and camaraderie in the community. I would also think of generating from them their thoughts on how best they might perform in the light of community, and then, too, figure out how best to come about with eclectic ways to successful learning.
From Tamara Holmes:
ReplyDeleteI like your approach for it's both hands-off and has an element of subtle guidance. You give the students breathing room to learn and grow from the experience without an iron-fist, yet you step in when necessary.
And I like your notion of the breathing space for the students, Tamara, my thanks. I guess, this is a necessary factor for students especially now, that I can see how it is going to be like in an online community. While it is totally different from the class atmosphere of that of the f2f one in the aspect of time and space, still, our online students, as all human beings would, will see breathing space, specially from the me as instructor, as a welcome treat.
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