I learned that it can be frustrating for slower readers to participate in synchronous discussions.
The only discus sion forum I have been involved in personally as a student has been the asynchronous platform. From an information standpoint, it seems to be superior to the synchronous discussion mainly because it allows each student to gather and organize his thoughts and present them without distraction. I do see the use of small groups for the synchronous discussion and setting time limits for discussion, but I am not totally convinced yet because I have relied on face to face for a long time. This is something for me to overcome, since I will drive out of my way to meet with someone personally to avoid using a phone. I do have some problems sizing up students learning patterns and abilities when online because I am very intuitive and need to be face to face.
I learned that allowing students time to chat prior and after discussions is important to maintain studen relationships. Knowing the difference between asynchronous and synchronous discussions and giving feedback will allo me to be a better communica and decrease student frustration.
Personalizing feedback - both in asynchronis as well as synchronis classrooms is vital for that connection to happen.
Toni
Allow time to chat socially at the beginning. Keep groups to 5 or 6. 30 minute time limit.
This module has encouraged me to consider different ways to use the Discussion Board and what a positive impact it could have on the students learning. I now have a new and different perspective on how it can be used. Providing feedback is something enjoyable. However, a consideration of the amount and kind of assignments must be made in order to provide timely feedback.
I find that students appreciate positive feedback before critical feedback. I always encourage students to respond back to me with a plan for improvement not matter how small.
Give feedback that is thoughtful and meaningful to encourage student participation.
I never has heard about synchronus and asynchronous. So learning the difference between both really is helping me understand how to use both as a learning tool. I now know how long chats should last, how to prepare for one. I alos learned what consideration I should take before having a discussion.
I never has heard about synchronus and asynchronous. So learning the difference between both really is helping me understand how to use both as a learning tool. I now know how long chats should last, how to prepare for one. I alos learned what consideration I should take before having a discussion.
I learned that it is important to give feedback in a constructive and timely manner. Feedback responses should be worded so that the student is encouraged to participate.
In this Module, I learned what is effective and non-effective when it comes to class participation. Classroom discussions that are not done in real time are more effective, however if you do conduct real time discussions they should be managed as to not overwhelm your different types of learners.
This module clearly shows the challanges of on line learning but shows how to meet these challanges.
Something I have learned from this module is that all students may not learn the same way online as they do in a class room. To help studetnts learn more effectively, I will make sure to reach out to each individual to see how they are liking a course and ask for feed back on how to improve their learning experience.
Offering and advising feed back during sycranous discussions. providing feed back in a timely manner
I agree, in a traditional classroom setting, learners benefit from immediate verbal feedback as well as non-verbal feedback in the form of body language such as smiles, nods, confused looks, frowns, etc. The absence of these types of feedback in an e-learning environment makes feedback particularly crucial in this setting.
While I do agree with the majority of the module, I disagree with the idea that synchronous discussions should not be used to teach critical information. In the settings that I’ve used online learning so far, I’ve had to use synchronous discusssions or chats for this purpose. Most of the time, it has been the setting of presenting our class power point presentations. While it does take a little more on my part as an instructor to make sure everyone stays engaged and involved, I find it useful to present a large amount of information in an interactive way that, in the end, feels a little more like a real-time class environment.
I have learned that, the open discussion I have been using, at the beginning of class is the appropriate way to have student's express themselves. It is also a time where student's can discuss what they learned from the previous class.
The structure of the class chat sessions, the administration, and the follow up will be critical to ensure the appropriate learning environment is established. The daily administration of the course in conjunction with the instructor's involvement/control/follow-up will ultimately determine the success of the online program.
Asynchronous and synchronous
