The online classroom presents unique challenges for educators. I have found that strengthening my responses in discussions supports a strong classroom community and enhances the level of critical thinking for my students.

Actively engaging students in critical thinking is at the heart of the questioning process. To foster this process, I must guide and support the learners' critical thinking. There are two essential types of critical thinking strategies I choose to promote: those that enhance the focusing of ideas and those that extend patterns of thought.

First, I identify the direction that is being taken in the discussion posts. This allows me to assess and redirect the communication thread. Key aspects of this step include:

• Refocusing conflicting ideas back to discussion points by citing or paraphrasing other student comments.
• Connecting different ideas and discussing how they are related to the discussion thread through the use of alternative points of view.
• Modeling response and post techniques.
• Pointing out areas that were not covered entirely and need to be investigated further.

Next, to extend patterns of thought in discussion forums, I use questions, offer new perspectives, and encourage new ways of thinking:

• Questioning assumptions and pushing thinking.
• Support thinking "outside the box."
• Presenting new ideas that challenge conventional thought.
• Modeling questions of alternative perceptions and beliefs.
• Challenging ideas that appear to be one sided through the use of different perspectives.

Finally, there is one thing that has stimulated online discussion postings and helps students feel safe in voicing their opinions. As the instructor, I strive to remaining neutral when challenging students. I find this builds the classroom community and does not permit my own opinions and feelings to dominate, allowing students to construct their own pedagogy and beliefs for educating their own students.

Faculty Spotlight:

Dena earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas and in 2007 she completed a Master's Degree in Special Education from Northern Arizona University. Currently, she is working on a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and feels blessed to be able to share her growing knowledge base with Grand Canyon University students.

Dena spent many years in the classroom: high school, Special Education, and primary school. Dena's goal in education is to maximize each student's growth and individual success by meeting each student where he or she is, and assisting in the learning process. She believes each one of her students is entitled to respect and dignity giving them a feeling of self-worth and safety.

While always up for a challenge, when not planning or instructing, Dena enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is active in the sport of triathlon, coaching for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training and the Special Olympics. She teaches yoga and loves to read and cook.

Teaching is a passion for Dena and my many students will always have a special place in her heart. It is her goal to have her students become as passionate about learning as she is about teaching.