Psychological Needs On-Line- Emoticons

- As I am reading this book, I thought I would summarize my readings:
Designing and Teaching an On-Line Course. (1999). Heidi Schweizer, USA: Allyn and Bacon.
The four psychological needs are belonging, freedom,power and fun. If these are met, then the learning is set free.

Belonging Tips for on-line activities

1. Hold an on-site meeting (to reaffirm ties and to grow relationships)
2. Introduce yourself on line (to create a 'human' connection)
3. personalize your distance classroom (profiles etc) (Use emoticons)
4. Use cooperative learning (group work and discussions)
5. Be invitational (be accessible and respond quickly to queries)
6. Use email (for extra support and encouragement)
7. Be approachable and personal (be open and willing to listen) (use emotion in your responses (happy sad wink symbols are signs that you are onto it)

Freedom Tips for on-line activities

1. Give choices of when and how assignments are completed
2. Different pace for students
3. Choice of various methods of research (on or off line)

Power Tips for on-line activities

1. Self directed (gives personal power for choice)
2. Have a variety of interactive learning experiences that allow students to share personal experiences related to the topic. (contributions - value)
3. Empowers the reticent student in an on-line situation (not afraid to write their thoughts down) Evens out the playing field and allows the time for response.

Fun Tips for on-line activities

1. Provide opportunities for tutorials and second chances. Feeling of success is a fun thing.
2. Create interactive discussions and group work. Sharing ideas is fun
3. Share creative ideas (sharing creative juices is fun)
4. Share a posting of a computer joke of the week
5. Use the announcement board to announce events
6. Create competition - Award prizes

I hear this as to 'humanise' the approach. John posted in weeks one and two of our course that body language is Bovee and Thill (2000) point out that only about 35% of conversing is tone, 58% is body language and 7% of the meaning contained in a message is carried by the actual words used. Most of the meaning is carried in the tone and the body language. ....
creating a social tone that is conducive to learning and further socialisation.

I am therefore looking at emoticons as a way of replacing the f2f body language and partially tone of conversations. Which ones are friendly non offensive and can be used to express anxiety, happiness, sadness.

-Maryanne