No. The entire point of taking a class online is the flexibity of schedule. With people in different time zones, not to mention those internatiionally. Mandatory participation in syncronus discussiontakes us one step backward.
If it is imperative to be part of the discussion,then the session should be either asyncronous or poll the students in the class to see which time and day is feasible for them. This way the students can set a time aside (ahead of schedule) to accommadate the request.
You bring up terrific points Paul. Thanks for sharing with the group.
I read about synchronous discussion boards. Although I have never ran into a synchronous discussion board myself, it seems to be quite interesting. I do not believe the synchronous discussions should be mandatory. We do have synchronous chat sessions at one of the universities I teach for, but the format isn't all that popular. In fact, students are not mandated to attend and so typically in a class of 30 or 35, I may have one or two students show up at any given synchronous chat session. I am currently an online Ph.D. student, and I can tell you that I would not be attracted to the synchronous format. I chose online learning because of its flexibility. I can take my work anywhere and attempt to complete my assignments at my convenience. I believe synchronous discussion distracts from this flexibility.
Hi Debra and all,
No. So far as I can tell, a good many universities and even public institutions promote online instruction as a means of working at one's own pace and on one's own time. To make synchronous chats mandatory is false advertising.
Beyond this, synchronous chats are not good for much when teaching groups. They are hard for many students to keep up with and participate in, and the person with the best typing skills often wins. This is not to mention the damage it seems to be doing to people's grammar by fostering the idea that texting is an acceptable form of correct writing.
If you want to make something mandatory that will help keep students engaged, make deadlines mandatory. Turning everything in at the last day seems counter to the educational process.
Scheduling is always a challenge. Other than Sunday as I take one day off per week,I have not found an ideal time for synchronous chats. People are simply too busy and adult learners have so much on their plates. I settle for a reasonable time and hope for the best. I have learned to enjoy the group whatever the size.
I agree, Michele. One of the main reasons students like online courses is the asynchronous nature of the enterprise; they do not have to be in class at a specific time. Requiring attendance at live chats at specific times cancels out this element. I also agree that synchronous chats are one more way to reach students, but when attendance is not required many students choose not to attend. Yes, they can probably listen to an archive, but then the course really is asynchronous, except for the instructor and the few students who attend the live chats.
Interesting question Debra. I think synchronous instruction has some advantages and some disadvantages. Some of the advantages are using one more technique to reach students, students being able to ask questions as they come up, and having one more way to determine whether a student is understanding the material. The major problem with it is that it takes away one of the primary advantages of online learning, which is the students ability to work on the class when they have the time to do it.
What do you think Debra?
