My worries with synchronous discussion have to do with the nature of some of the topics we cover in Sociology. Issues pertaining to race, class, religion, cultural values, sexism, etc. are the focus in many intro courses. I find that students are more likely to write something hurtful than they are to say it out loud in a classroom filled with many different people. This can make a synchronous discussion go south quickly. I do use the "socializing" time at the beginning to remind students of the code of conduct.....but sometimes the lines get crossed in the heat of the… >>>
