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One of the easiest ways to create an opportunity for social interaction is to organize groups that have a designed purpose. The advantages of peer learning are well documented, but the challenge here is creating something that doesn’t feel too organized or forced. So, while a group project or activity may be an easy (and useful) approach, it might not foster the social aspect that students are looking for.
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These opportunities can include study groups, film watch parties, and other similar activities that tie into the course content. While voluntary, these groups may allow students to benefit directly from peer interaction more than formal group work and peer learning assignments. These groups would ideally meet outside of CCLEBruin Learn/any other university structure so as to distinguish them meaningfully from graded class activity.
Instructor input can be more than just a suggestion, however. By creating a forum Discussion in CCLE Bruin Learn expressly to allow groups to organize, the instructor can, for example, keep the conversation in a study group going by posting weekly on suggested topics for discussion and consideration – even if that conversation is not happening within CCLEBruin Learn. For film classes, providing students with a list of things to look for and a discussion prompt may foster watch parties to form and be maintained over the term.
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