ANTHONY,
You raise great points. Students won't engage unless "encouraged" by points. I use synchronous chats for office hours.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Charolette,
I think good recordings and do similar things in an online course without depending on real time.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Augustine,
Although you make a valid point, synchronous learning is effective but it does take away the flexibility of the online environment. There are other ways to facilitate engagement.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Anthony, I've had the same experience. In a class of 15 students, I might get 2-3 who attend the synchronous session, even if I hold 2 sessions at different times. It is a challenge. However, the students who attend love it! It really enhances their experience and I can tell a difference in their motivation afterwards.
Issue:
I wanted to stress the importance of real time learning. Students need to know that there is a real instructor on the other end. If we only had one synchronous meeting per course it might help with retention.
I do agree that one or more synchronous sessions may help. However, my experience in OL teaching has demonstrated that very few students access the synchronous sessions when they are not required components. AND, given differences in time zones and student other obligations, it would not be fair to require their presence at such sessions.
To cite some stats: I conduct at least one synchronous session per week, for each of 5 weeks in the course. Approximately 10% of the students attend (= 2 to 4 students)(they are voluntary and do not impact grades)and it is the same few each session.
Anthony J Matias
Valid point! Synchronous learning is very important to the student and instructor. It takes the fear out of not meeting face-to-face. In a synchronous learning environment students are able to verbally speak with his or her instructor to get a better feel the course requirements, objectives; and instructor expectations.
Charolette Brown
Synchronous meetings should be a part of every course particularly in lower level courses where majority of the students are newcomers to the college or university.
Many students are self-directed learners and others are not. Without timely synchronous meetings a lot of students may be lost or behind in their learning process. Depending on the length of the course, timely (weekly) synchronous meetings will provide students with real time forum to ask questions and receive immediate feedback thus minimizing frustration and reinforcing faculty presence and support.
