Expect More From Conversations

Learning from peers is one of the hallmarks of a great educational experience. 

Many can recall a great learning environment, most likely in person, where course material was discussed, questions were answered, and fresh perspectives surfaced. Unfortunately, when learning moved online, often this lively and engaging debate around materials has been shrunk down and relegated to a “discussion board.”

We should expect more from learning platforms. 

There has been recent discourse about the efficacy of discussion boards and how to use them properly, even culminating in the question: Should we even be using them at all? 

Of course there should be discussion, inquiry, and a place for learners to engage in discourse in course materials—it’s a critical part of the learning process. Just because learning has moved online, this shouldn’t change. 

We can do better. Learners deserve it. Educators deserve it.     

That’s why we built Conversations, a new way to foster collective learning and engagement in the Honor platform. 

Why Conversations? 

We learn better together, whether it’s higher education, continuing education, corporate training, or beyond. 

Conversation has always been one of the best ways to bring people together and learn from each other, but they don’t just happen. Great discussions must be fostered, particularly in learning settings. 

We believe great learning discussions are characterized by four elements, they:  

• Are anchored in context of the material, with everyone using the same source. 

• Normalize the learner’s ability to say they don’t understand, and give them the space to disagree, or express that they’re lost. 

• Create space for everyone to have equal voice.

• Empower instructors to read the room, and moderate the conversation accordingly. 

1. Conversations are always in context 

Discussion boards are sectioned off into their own, lonely corner of the learning platform far away from the accompanying source material. Even if learners do post a question or reflection, they can go unseen, unused, and out of context. 

In Honor, all discussions are created at the source and sit in context of the material. Learners benefit from the surrounding material when engaging in Conversations, enabling them to connect the dots and provide meaningful input.  

2. Conversations help normalize saying “I don’t get it” and foster belonging

Because discussion board posts are treated as assignments, they’re set up with the expectation that learners post fully formed thoughts. They don’t have space to say “I don’t get it” or “This passage of the reading was confusing to me,” or can someone “check my thinking.” 

Unfortunately, “not getting it” is a silent persistence killer in asynchronous programs. When something is unclear, learners don’t make the attribution to the material. They make the attribution to themselves. It becomes ‘I don’t understand it, I must not belong here.

By making it possible for learners to open conversations with the “unclear” or “debatable” reaction, and automatically prompting them to ask for additional insights, Conversations helps normalize “not getting it” as part of the educational journey.

3. Conversations foster equal voice 

Conversations isn’t just about bringing the benefits of the classroom to online education: It’s about using technology to improve education for all.

In the classroom or corporate training room, sometimes the more confident voices dominate the live conversation, leaving reserved learners quiet. There often isn’t enough time or space for all participants to express their ideas.

Conversations empower every learner to have their voice heard, at any point in the material, and engage in collaborative debate without having the time constraints of most educational settings. 

4. Conversations help learners and instructors read the room

In a physical learning space, there’s energy. When learners don’t understand something, there’s a palpable shift in the room prompting instructors to review the material again. If a lively debate gets a little heated, other students can tell by tone and choose how they want to engage. All this gets lost in the digital space. 

Instructors must be able to easily see these discussions and effortlessly respond.

Because Conversations begin through one of Honor’s four different reaction types, it gives learners and instructors a chance to “read the room” before entering a conversation. 

If an instructor looks into the analytics and sees a spike in “Unclear” or “Interesting” around a specific topic, they can go into the conversation to add clarity or further context.

Bringing Human Connection to Online Learning with Honor

We created Conversations as part of our mission to put human connection at the center of online learning. It’s time to expect more.

To learn more about how Honor and how the platform increases comprehension, retention, and critical skills development, contact us and a member of the team will be in touch today.