Jane Leight

I agree 100% with your assessment of both types of classroom communication. Of course, both of them have their downfalls also. For example, I had a problem in my synchronous where a student would log on and then leave his computer. It took me awhile to figure out that this was happening. One evening I was "calling on students" who hadn't raised their hands and he did not respond. On a break I had to call him on the phone and invite him back to class :) Since you are currently an online instructor, do you have any war stories… >>>

Hi Sherri, Actually, I have found group projects to be very effective in the online environment, for many of the same reasons that they are used in the traditional classroom. Building community in a virtual classroom is important and group projects help students to develop a sense of belonging. Sometimes, when students are geographically dispersed, the logistics of completing a group project present some challenges but, all in all, they are as useful online as in the classroom. As far as the independent learner is concerned, he or she can glean much from the experience of a group project. Thanks… >>>