The Value of Synchronous Learning Events in Online Courses
Abstract: Most online courses rely solely on asynchronous text-based online communication. Commonly cited constraints include the lack of visual cues and the time it takes for conversations to develop. Synchronous forms of communication can address some of these constraints. However, online educators often avoid using synchronous forms of communication in their courses. In this roundtable session, we will describe a number of strategies we use to engage students in synchronous learning events during online courses. We will also share students’ responses to synchronous learning events. Using a crowdsourcing technique (i.e., document co-creation in Google Docs), we will invite the audience to contribute strategies for synchronous learning events. This is a work-in-progress, so our focus will be on encouraging discussion and co-construction of recommendations that may be immediately applied in online courses.
Presider: Elizabeth Crawford, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga