Using Guided Roles in Virtual Forum as a Strategy for Empowering Students’ Participation in Online Classes: A COVID-19 response

Abstract

This paper illustrates the use of guided virtual forum as a teaching strategy for empowering students’ participation in online classes. The design of the virtual forum was derived based on the principles advocated by flux pedagogy, focusing on teaching design that are adaptive and responsive to the impact of COVID-19 on teaching and learning norms. The purpose of the virtual forum was twofold. First, as an online activity for the students to learn about the course’ subject matter in interactive ways. Secondly, the purpose was to empower and encourage all students to participate in online classes from behind the screen. The survey results show positive feedbacks from the students who participated in the virtual forum; reporting learning gain from both the content (subject matter learned) and process (increased in skills and confidence levels).