Virtual Interactions For Online Learning

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Virtual Interactions For Online Learning
Online Chats and Threads
Mawdudur Rahman, Ph.D. Visiting
Professor, College of Business Zayed
University Dubai, UAE
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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

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Why interactivity

• AACSBs Emphasis
• Interaction opportunities available to meet
  unique needs of individual students
• Consistent with schools mission- with integrity
  and respect among participants
• Opportunities to learn
• Access to experts
• Interactions among faculty members

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Synchronous or Asynchronous

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

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Thread Discussions

• Starts with a topic
• Topic selection
• Topic objectives
• Topic lead
• Directing the thread
• Examples

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Thread protocol

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

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Thread protocol

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

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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

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Choice of Media for Thread

• Platform
• Accessibility
• Reliability
• Robustness
• Connection speed
• Participants consideration
• Text Thread
• Text and Audio Thread
• A/V Thread

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Thread Feedback

• Instructors feedback for each entry by student
  is important
• Other students 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

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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

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Thread Examples

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

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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
• Dont use or allow personal advice or negative
  value judgment on the thread
• Watch your language and English

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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

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Choice of media for AIC

• Platform
• Accessibility
• Reliability
• Robustness
• Connection speed
• Participants consideration
• Which Option
• Text chat
• Text and Audio chat
• A/V chat

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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
• Dont engage in lecture in the chat class
• Ask the questions and direct the discussions
• Explain the confusion and dont monopolize

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Chat protocol

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

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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

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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

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Chat Feedback

• Instructors feedback for entries made by
  students is important
• Other students 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

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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

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Chat Examples

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