EFFECTS ON STUDENT TEAM MEMBERS
Peer Mentor
Voula Heffernan, peer mentor, described her original charge as a facilitator of small group discussion, particularly small group discussion around case creation. She had previously taken the course and had facilitation skills from her social work background. Particularly in the Synchronous Chats, Voula facilitated comfortable interactions as well as discussion about cases. The ability to describe emotions grew as the chats progressed--at first it seemed strange not to see the people, but gradually the emotions became real in print.
Voula was amazed at the level of disclosure in print. It is sometimes easier to describe and discuss questions and issues through print than face-to-face. This was true for both e-mail and chat communications. Sometimes e-mail allows think time for both creation of the information and the response.
One recommendation for the future is to more clearly define what is meant by a case study. Students may have read case studies or used case studies as research reports, but acutally writing cases for professional development is different. She thinks it is important to continue the personal connections between peer mentor and class members by e-mail.
Voula continues to use the expertise gained in the course. She is beginning to use chats with an autistic child who is unable to express emotions face-to-face.
Listen to Voula's words.Student Technology Team
Bob Pearson, one of the student tech assistants, felt that his major role was to instruct members of the class on how to use the resources we had set up for them. He felt a connection with the class as he demonstrated the technology and connected his forms of communication with their forms of learning--once this was done it was much easier to give the information.
According to Bob, his most important contribution was getting across the mindset of the Chatroom on the Internet. He learned what it was like to be on the other side of education for a while. He found that he might be competent in conducting future tutorials or seminars in the use of technology.
Bob recommends that we develop more documentation to support students in the future.
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