Timing of Live Chats
How flexible do instructors need to be in regards to the timing of their live chat sessions?
I tend to like to have my chats during the day on Monday - so that early in the week, students know everything they have to know to complete the assignment.
Some students prefer evening chats.
I have been known to throw in an extra chat for students that prefer the live chat in the evening?
Your thoughts?
Ligia,
What do you do for those that have conflicts? Do you just not have online live chats or do you provide alternatives? When I have online live video/audio sessions I typically record them for the students that couldn't connect LIVE so they can at least go back and review the recordings.
Herbert Brown III
If the chats is only in the mornings or nights some students have to work and is impossible to be online. The online classes have to be flexible.
I try to do my first live chat on Monday whenever I can for any given week or unit. Helpful hints is part of the discussion and I've found later in the week some students have already posted to what I would provide guidance on in advance. Extra sessions on the weekend work pretty well if I announce them early enough.
Mike - I like the idea of scheduling one chat during the morning or afternoon hours, and one in the evening or during the weekend. I also plan on polling my students, as Herbert suggested, to find an appropriate time. The institution for which I've been teaching online doesn't require or have the ability to do synchronous chats (or record them), but I just got a new teaching gig for which I'll be required to hold two live chats a week. I'm concerned about getting students to attend, especially because I don't think attendance is mandatory. It seems to me that if students don't get points for doing something, they won't do it. What are your thoughts on this, and how do you drum up attendance?
In my situation the live Chats are based on several issues, what seems to work for adult students when grading is due, what hours I am available as an adjunct instructor. Since grading is a priority early in the week, mid week seemed to work good for both the student and myself. Evenings worked better for most adult students as the majority work days. As I also work a full time job days, evenings was better for me. It also seemed to work fine to stay on a predictable schedule as students could count on what day to plan for the chat. I also did live labs the next day for more detailed instructions on the weekly material so students have a number of opportunities to check in, ask questions, and focus before spending most of their time doing assignments over the weekend. This is the pattern for our courses at least.
Christine,
This is all true. I would suggest, however, that we should certainly make every effort to accommodate as many students as possible in the scheduled time and provide recorded sessions for those that cannot make those times. Failure to do so will ensure that you have few to no people connect to the Live sessions.
Herbert Brown III
I believe some flexibility is needed when scheduling chats or live sessions, but consistency is needed also. It is definitely important to take time zones into consideration when teaching online courses that are available to students nationwide. I teach on the east coast so for me to hold a session at 9am may not be feasible for a student that resides on the west coast (6am session). On the other hand, if a student residing on the west coast prefers an evening session this could be very difficult for an instructor on the east coast to accommodate. Essentially, it is almost impossible to please everyone and us as the instructors need to make a command decision on what best suits the overall class as well as the instructors dedicated schedule. A serious learner will find a way to make the session or attempt to schedule something one on one if needed.
The earlier in the week the better! It gives them longer to complete their assignments or send emails asking questions.
It's great that you were able to find a time of day for chats to foster more participants. I'm sure your students appreciated it greatly.
William,
Do you try to set a specific day and time at the beginning of the semester that is ideal for the majority of the students or do you just assign a day and time regardless? Do you make some other accommodations for students that might have another class chat scheduled during the same day/time?
Herbert Brown III
Usually the more flexbiity for the chat times the more confusion. There are contant emails and texts regarding when the next chat will occur. Knowing exactly when the chats are scheduled helps for stduent planning.
I agree that it’s important to accommodate the online learner with convenient chat times. Ideally I want to have as many students attending live chat as possible. Since many of my students work full time and have busy family lives I try to offer some choices by hosting a live chat on Monday nights and then another one on Wednesday’s during the day for a ‘power hour’ lunch break.
Joan,
Many of my students are working professionals so it would be difficult for my students to connect in the morning. What is your typical student demographic? I like the idea - any time that works for the majority of students is great. I ask/survey mine to try to find the optimal time and schedule that time. If it is instructional, I also record it so students that missed it can review it on their time.
Herbert Brown III
In the past I scheduled chats in the evenings and I rarely got any participants. Now I schedule chats early in the week in the morning and I get more participants.
Mike,
It depends on the course and material. Some courses I just make myself available "as needed" and this is enough. Others, including some I am teaching now, require a time to meet more regularly. I survey the class for the best day and time and set that as the "scheduled" time. I record all sessions for those that miss - that works for some of the other students. Then I also make myself available for individual help as needed (but only a few typically take me up on this).
Herbert Brown III
I typically set up one weekend chat and one during the week in the evenings to allow most students time to join if they want. It does happen where some students just cant align their schedules to make it in either case, but at least this is max flexibility here. What does everyone else do here?
Janis,
I have traditional and non-traditional, working students. I try to examine my student population and even survey them to determine a "best" day and time for the live sessions to get maximum participation. More so lately I have been conducting evening sessions. Regardless, I ALWAYS record them so that students that couldn't connect can at least review the material. I also make myself available for individual sessions - time available.
Herbert Brown III
