Virtual Chat Room Discussions
Why is it so difficult to get online students to participate in chat room discussions. Please give me some strategies to get them to participate.
Donald,
Yes, fear is one of the predominant factors. I have found a very few students to insist they simply think it is a waste of time. And these particular individuals were not timid nor were they low academically.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
In my opinion, it is fear that prevents individuals from participating in chat discussions. The students are simply afraid of the consequences, whether the consequances are real of imagined. I have never found any other reason for student lack of participation.
Dr. Gilbertson,
This is one of those "you can only do so much" situations. This forum has some good recommendations that have worked for others, at times. Many factors can contribute to participation rate (from institutional policy down to the topic of the individual session, and many other thiongs in between), but you are absolutely correct that, in the end, it is up to the student.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Our students do not participate because it is not a requirment. It is up to the student to enter the chat and 99.9% do not!
James,
It sounds like your system is in the mainstream of 'best practices' for today's online classroom.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I have the same kind of issue and I think others do also. That is, many students don't arrive for the synchronous chat. I DO understand they are busy and there is no perfect time of the day or week when everyone can arrive. Therefore, my school archives the chats and students can listen to them at any time 24-7. Most do so. I try to make sure there is a lot of really good substantive material relative to the weekly assignment. I believe (hope I'm right) that this encourages students to tune in and listen when they have a chance.
Ricky,
There are as many reasons as there are students. Primarily, life is just busy. Sometimes I offer very specialized training on a difficult content item that will be in the next test. By making this known, some of the students seem to show up more often. Go figure. ;-]
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
