Synchronous Sessions

Some great comments were posted concerning face-to-face meetings in online distance learning programs. Most agreed that while f2f meetings are a nice addition, they are not always practical and not the only method of fostering community. The reason that most online learners choose the online format is due the fact that f2f is not possible for them.

So the idea of a “synchronous component” was mentioned as a way that “students and teachers can share their worlds with each other without the need to physically visit.” This is a good transition into my next area of interest...synchronous sessions in online programs. I have personally used Centra, Wimba, and Skype as synchronous tools in online situations. I have used them for mainly classroom needs, but a little for social activity.

So, more questions to ponder and hopefully get some input to...Have you (as student or facilitator) used synchronous tools to develop social interaction (beyond academic needs) between students and/or faculty? What did you do? How did it work it out? What tools did you use? Recommendations and other comments on this subject...there are no wrong answers...these are your opinions.

Is Face to Face Necessary?

In order to build a community in online learning environments is it necessary to have some face to face interaction? Can you really create a "social atmosphere" online in a virtual world? There are some that would say "NO" you have to have some face to face interaction for this to happen...So do you agree? What have you experienced?

Start a discussion!

Are you interested in the topic of social presence in online learning environments?

Are you aware that research indicates that a social presence is necessary to foster community and build relationships in online learning environments?

Would you be willing to share your experiences with others and help grow the body of information?

Post what sort of activities, actions, or technology tools have helped promote social interaction in your program or online learning experiences?

There are no wrong answers, only ideas we can share to make online learning enjoyable and effective. By sharing ideas, we work together to enhance online classes.

Lets get started!

Text messaging and cell phones

Check out this neat study concerning Text Messaging to Improve Social Presence in Online Learning. I had never heard of or thought of this approach in online learning, however text messaging was used in a new effective way in the past U.S. Presidential election so maybe it is a new medium to try. People of all ages text these days, but anyone with teenagers or are around college age students know that their fingers are constantly keying on a cell phone. Therefore, this may become the most effective method of communication. Maybe soon we will have cell phone-based distance education that involves podcasting for lectures and text messaging for discussions. So that with Internet accessibility (thus able to view web-based materials and email) on the cell phone the entire course can be delivered and completed via cell phone. Hmmmmm....just a thought...wait, here is a 2004 study concerning distance learning with cell phones and news in 2008 about Community-College System Offers Distance Education by Cellphone.

Any thoughts on any of this?

Purpose of this blog

Current research supports the importance of a social presence in online learning environments. The understanding is that a social presence is necessary to foster community and build relationships in online learning environments that compare to face-to-face learning environments.

Stephen R. Aragon, in Creating Social Presence in Online Environments, noted a new body of emerging research that investigates the relationship between student satisfaction and learning outcomes. Aragon went on to say that learners who have a higher level of social presence are more satisfied with online learning.

My purpose for this blog is to start a discussion with online learners, as well as online educators, to determine how to promote social connections in an online learning environment in order to foster community and relationship building.

Typical posts might include answers to the following questions. What sort of activities, actions, or technology have helped in your program or online learning experiences? Chat rooms (audio, video, and/or text) that are or are not class related, message boards, instant messaging (IM), text messaging (cellphone), email, face-to-face socials (if so how often), etc.? There are no wrong answers, only ideas we can share to make online learning enjoyable and effective. By sharing ideas, we work together to enhance online classes.

Reference
S. R. Aragon, Creating Social Presence in Online Environments, New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education (San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2003), p. 57–68.