Virtual Interactions For Online Learning Mawdudur Rahman, Ph.D. Visiting Professor, College of...

Virtual Interactions For Online Learning

Mawdudur Rahman, Ph.D.Visiting Professor,College of BusinessZayed UniversityDubai, UAE

Online Chats and Threads

April 2, 2005 MRahman2

Why interactivity

Learning through interactions Opportunity to share knowledge and views Surrogate for f2f classroom Opportunity for feedback Get to know each other Build self-confidence Feel the presence of a live professor


Why interactivity

AACSB’s Emphasis– Interaction opportunities available to meet unique

needs of individual students– Consistent with school’s mission- with integrity

and respect among participants– Opportunities to learn– Access to experts– Interactions among faculty members


Synchronous or Asynchronous

Synchronous-real time – all at the same time Asynchronous- anytime anyone Advantages Disadvantages


Thread Discussions

Starts with a topic– Topic selection– Topic objectives– Topic lead

Directing the thread Examples


Thread protocol

Thread rules Beginning and closing dates Feedback rules Thread length Thread language Thread entries


Thread protocol

Relevance to the topic Repeated responses ( how many times) Duration thread remains open Closing the thread Grading rules Example


Uses of thread

Use of the first thread – Introducing each other

Weekly subject discussion Problem solving sessions Team threads Record of class attendance Class participation


Choice of Media for Thread

Platform– Accessibility– Reliability– Robustness– Connection speed– Participants consideration

Text Thread Text and Audio Thread A/V Thread


Thread Feedback

Instructor’s feedback for each entry by student is important

Other student’s feedback and comments makes the contents useful and interesting

Only ‘Yes/no’, ‘I agree’ answers should be discouraged unless supported by comments

Promptly post weekly grades on the thread


Thread Benefits

Develop conceptual and subject area proficiency Communication skill in the virtual world Help develop analytical thinking, research skills, and

ability to write short comments using in their own language

Creates publicly shared records of their performance Removes fears of failure Requires participation by all


Thread Examples

Suffolk University MBA- Financial Accounting ZU BS(BS) – Challenges of Virtual

Management


Caution!

Thread may become crowed Thread may be not populated Continuous feedback, revise and review is

necessary There are lazy and over jealous participants Domination by a few Don’t use or allow personal advice or negative value

judgment on the thread Watch your language and English


Academic Interactive Chat (AIC)

The nature and purpose of academic chat Explain: why is academic chat different from

informal chats? AIC replaces the face-to-face class meetings Reorient the students to the formal part of the

AIC


Choice of media for AIC

Platform– Accessibility– Reliability– Robustness– Connection speed– Participants’ consideration

Which Option:– Text chat – Text and Audio chat– A/V chat


The Chat Process

Remember chat is live Students need preparation Chat should be relevant

– Describe the chat subject area– Give them questions/topics to prepare

Don’t engage in lecture in the chat class Ask the questions and direct the discussions Explain the confusion and don’t monopolize


Chat protocol

Chat rules Begin with greetings Rules for chat comments Answer length Chat language Chat entries Example


Chat protocol

Chat protocol– Relevance to the topic– Repeated responses ( how many times)– Weekly chat and ideal duration– Language – minimum grammar and formality– Closing the chat– Grading rules– Example


Uses of Chat

Start with greetings, opportunity to create the rapport

Weekly review of assignments and progress Problem solving Team meetings Record of class attendance Class participation Grading


Chat Feedback

Instructor’s feedback for entries made by students is important

Other student’s feedback and comments makes the discussion informative

Only ‘Yes/no’, ‘I agree’ feedback should be discouraged unless supported by comments

Promptly post grades on the chats


Chat Benefits

Develop conceptual and subject area proficiency Communication skill in the virtual world Help develop quick thinking and ability to write one

or two sentences comments using in their own language

Creates publicly shared records of their performance Removes fears of failure Requires participation from all


Chat Examples

Suffolk University, Chat stats Chat Examples D:\Documents\KFUPM-Online\chat examples Zayed University

Virtual Interactions For Online Learning Mawdudur Rahman, Ph.D. Visiting Professor, College of...

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