Trying something new
I have only used a synchronous method once, several years ago. My nontraditional students seem happy with the asynchronous courses but I wonder if adding an optional synchronous facet might be fun?
Linda,
I don't agree with you regarding your statement about the lack of synchronous component is modern correspondence course. Engagement among the students and with the faculty is paramount it just doesn't have to happen in real time. I find that students don't show up for the synchronous sessions unless you make it worth their while.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think you need to add some element of synchronous within a course. This keeps a necessary connection going. Otherwise an online class is really a modern correspondence course. By adding this element allows a class in an online environment to come together and is a motivator for students to share. It also will enable the instructor to assess the type of student which will help determine which technology tool to use in certain instances.
Jeanette,
I agree. I also think you are smart to stay with one software. it can be very confusing when you are sending them to "four" different sites to do four different course activities. It can be confusing.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I also use Blackboard 100% for my online courses. This synchronous learning tool allows my to connect with the students and access their strengths and weaknesses.
Students also build relationships with the classmates.
Kimberley,
I think you have to offer incentive for coming to a synchronous course. I use it for office hours and try to move the time around to meet time differences. Do you record them?
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I think that it will be a great addition. I in-cooperate a synchronous element in my courses once a week so that my student can bounce ideas off me and their classmates and we all get some interaction. Try it, I think that your students will enjoy the connection. Also offer some incentive for coming to the synchronous session.
Charles,
You are so right! When I work on my online course it always improves my face to face. That is the beauty of teaching with technology.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
One of the great things about being a teacher is that you get to help shape young adults’ minds and enhance their skill sets
to make them successful in life. Traditionally, university practice many decades ago was to have a professor lecture their
students and share their knowledge. If a student missed a class or wanted to participate in a large lecture setting, they were in
trouble.
Today, I use Blackboard as a teaching tool in both 100% online courses and also as an enhancement to my traditional in-
class courses. In particular, I like to take part of the classroom out of the classroom and expand it online. To do so, I take
advantage of Blackboard’s Asynchronous and Synchronous learning tools. Asynchronous learning is defined as “Any
learning event where interaction is delayed over time. This allows learners to participate according to their schedule, and
be geographically separate from the instructorâ€. Synchronous learning is defined as “Any learning event where interaction
happens simultaneously in real-time. This requires that learners attend class at its scheduled time in a traditional classroom,
or delivered via distributed or e-Learning technologies.
Sarah,
I hae used it as a one on one. I have used it for small group facilitation. I use it primarily for virtual office hours in both my online and my face to face courses.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Mamie,
Great post, you make a case for both deliveries. There are such benefits for both types of deliveries, I think you can use both effectively.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I've used both, synchronous and asynchronous, and both are imperative for an effective online learning experience. With synchronous, my students can respond to discussions during the week at a time of their choosing, whereas in an asynchronous method, we all gather for our weekly online chat. This is beneficial because it allows us all to come together at the same time and communicate by asking and answering questions.
M. Allen
Sara,
Great idea. I also teach online to nontraditional students and I set up technology usage that help build their confidence. I think that is important.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Hi Sarah,
I also work with nontraditional students. However, I offer multiple synchronous opportunities per week, including virtual office hours and live seminars/lectures. This provides students an opportunity to receive instant feedback and discuss topics live.
