Synchronous Learning Attendance
Synchronous learning should supplement the asynchronous learning approach. However, most students do not like attending synchronous sessions such as chat sessions and office hours. How would you handle such scenario?
Maureen,
Have them do their own recordings! Have them use their phones and figure a way to upload them to show other students. I too did an intro to business course. The first chapter or two had simple economic terms. I put them in groups each has to do a recording defining the term to a group of 8 year olds. They hat to find some multimedia or unique way to explain the concept. The did a great job.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Students! Students! How to get the course through effectively.
When teaching Accounting 1 the first time, I did a video each Monday, and, to my surprise, the students all passed the class. Why? They appeared engaged and thankful that they were explained week to week.
Now in Introduction to Business, I have thought about videos as my students are not receptive sometimes...etc. And need to be motivated.
What would you suggest I do with them? Get videos off the web regarding business, or have them research which is my latest idea?
Your help is appreciated.
Agnes,
I agree with you. For students (particularly undergrad) they don't think it is important unless you put a "value" to it. I understand the thinking but it is no different than participation points in a f2f course.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Agnes,
That is the best way to address synchronous sessions. Students can come to you when they need specialized help. It does make you "human" to them! :)
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I find office hours quite useful. It seems students contact me during office hours regularly, knowing I would respond immediately. I respond within hours on a regular basis, but they seem to like the fact I am 'glued' to the computer for the duration of my office hours.
I truly believe synchronous learning experience through the live chats is essential to students' success (for most students, that is).
However, we are not supposed to make the chats mandatory, nor are we allowed to assign extra credit for chat participation.
It is a pattern that students who don't participate in live chats or don't take the time to review chat recordings are the ones who struggle with class content.
Some of the questions asked make it painfully clear.
I am convinced participation in live chats should be mandatory, at least for 50 % of the chats.
Christe
You make a great point. You need to use your time wisely as well as lead the student to use their time wisely also.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I find office hours to be a waste of time, both for the instructor and the students. In the 3+ years I have been teaching my course, I would say I have had less than a dozen contacts with students during office hours.
Live chats, however, do tend to be better attended. One thing I do is promise a "preview" of something or "special information available only in chat". This not only encourages people to attend "live" it also encourages others to listen to the archived chats.
I can usually tell, based on a person's work, if they have attended chats or listed to the archives, or not.
Professor Embry
Michael,
That is true. Would you give students the ability to answer the questions before you do? This may be a great way for students to interact.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Dr. Wilkinson, I like your idea of setting up a discussion board so the students can post their questions to it, in an asynchronous fashion. I think the key point is that we need to provide a mechanism for students to post their questions… And it really doesn't matter whether it is a synchronous or asynchronous method that allows them to provide the questions. Thank you. Mike Crowley
Kimberly,
I wonder with you. I now setup a discussion board that students have to post to first with their questions. If a student answer the question of the other student (correctly) that students gets participation points. If the students have the same questions, I will develop actions that will help all. I also monitor the discussion to make sure no bad info is given. It does cut down on my emails and works to develop community.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hi Dr Wilkinson,
But you can’t make a student attend a Chat/Live Lab. We/instructors at my school are required to hold a Live Lab (chat) each week. We list the information in our Announcement and communicate how important and informative this sessions are but students do not attend. Frankly, when I was obtaining my Master’s degree from an online institution, chats were not offered and I wouldn’t have attended if they were because I am/was too busy. When I had a question, I would reach out to my instructor as my students do with me via e-mail. If they request a phone call or if I need to follow up with a phone call, I schedule a time to talk with them.
Perhaps if there were several students asking the same question and needed clarification and/or additional instruction, how a Chat could be beneficial but if no one accesses the tool, I just wonder how valuable the chat/Live Labs are.
Austin,
If you expect students to participate in chat sessions, you must make them "worth their while." You have to make it part of your expectations of the course. You then have to hold your students to those expectations it is difficult to use synchronous chats when the course is touted as asynchronous.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
