Day Five: Synchronous Learning Activities

As you already knew, interaction influences student learning positively. For this reason, development of effective instructional activities that utilize interaction is a growing concern for instructional designers and online instructors. Good design of these activities is critical for course success since student interaction creates a learner-centered environment. It also encourages and develops thinking and problem-solving skills, enhances self-confidence, nurtures problem-solving through reasoning and discussion among peers. One of the benefits of a well-designed online course with a variety of interaction is to promote conceptual understanding through interactive engagement in heads-on and hands-on activities which yield immediate feedback through discussion with peers and/or instructor. Remember, the course students complain about the most is usually the one with the least interaction.

Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

Describe how to develop the ways in which interactivity engages students online
Create a synchronous lesson plan for a particular concept or module for your online course

Types of Interactions:

Interaction Types		Types of Activities
Human Interactions	Student-Instructor	Self-regulated learning. (A web-based conferencing environment may require participants to manage their time, process information, plan and manage their resources, and evaluate their own work. Students can seek help when they need it.) Collaborative problem solving. (As the instructor, you post a problem to be solved by individual learners.) You and the students participate in the collective activities and knowledge sharing. You observe, monitor, and provide feedback to the students. You facilitate group processes by responding to questionable situations such as discussion problems, group dynamics issues, or misunderstandings.
	Student-Student	Students complete group work to improve their social and critical thinking skills. Students access group knowledge and support through collaborative problem solving. Students design a website for an instructional program.
	Student-Guest Expert or Student-Community Member	Students collaborate with guests on projects to gain diverse expertise. Students discuss real-life situations with practitioners in the community. Students work together with community member to solve problems and share knowledge.
Non-Human Interactions	Student-Tools	Students operate software (text copying and pasting, file transferring, image grabbing, brainstorming, outlining, and flow charting). Students manipulate software (changing contents, values, and/or parameters to verify, test, and extend understanding). Students communicate using the software (promoting discourse, sharing ideas, reviewing work, asking questions, and collaborating).
	Student-Content	Students work with and make sense of the information available on the web, in books, and in databases.
	Student-Environment	Students work with resources and simulations (web-based searches, image libraries, source documents, and online databases).

(Source: Reigeluth and Moore, 1999)

Please review the following articles:
    Using Technology to Enhance a Course: The Importance of Interaction
    Supporting Online Students with Personal Interaction
    Online interaction impacts on learning: Teaching the teachers to teach online
    Faculty/Student Interaction at a Distance: Seeking Balance

Are you planning to use synchronous tools in your online course? Here are some useful articles for enhancing your virtual classroom:
    Instructional Strategies for Using Virtual Classroom as a Communication Tool
    Four Steps to Effective Virtual Classroom Training

Craig Smith (2006) talks about Principles of Virtual Class Chatiquette. His guidelines provide pacing and allow for flow, humor and spontaneous interaction. Here are his guidelines:

At the beginning of each online chat session, the instructor will clear any pre-discussion messages and make an introductory statement. Participants should wait until discussion is invited before interjecting comments.
If a participant has a comment or question, he/she should type "!" for a comment or "?" for a question.
A participant should not type all of his/her comment before entering it. He/she should type a clause, phrase, or sentence fragment at a time and then press enter, so that the group does not have to look at white space while typing occurs. This allows the idea to unfold before the group.
When the complete idea is entered, three forward slash marks (///) will indicate to the group that the next participant may begin...
Those wishing to comment may ask for the floor by typing "?" or "!" at any time. The first person to enter a "?" or "!" will have the floor to make his/her contribution. In this way, the instructor will not have to call on the next participant. Everyone will be responsible for maintaining the flow of conversation. (Alternatively, the principle may be that those wishing to comment may request the floor by typing "?" or "!" at any time. The instructor will then call on the first person who entered a request.
If a participant wishes to change the topic of conversation, this is signaled by typing "new?" or "new!". If no one objects by typing "!" or "?" and proceeding with the present topic (in other words, if there is silence), then the participant may proceed with the new topic.
The fact that the discussion is not taking place in each other's presence does not excuse rude behavior. There will be no flaming (i.e. personal attacks or crude language in class discussion). Separate, private chats during the discussion are the equivalent of passing notes and are also unacceptable. Participants are encouraged to challenge other participants' comments in a manner that enhances critical thinking and analysis of the course material.
Online chats conducted independently by class members are not subject to these guidelines. However, participants are encouraged to be polite and respectful in all milieus connected with this course."

Craig Smith even recommends having a short practice session with your students to allow them to become familiar with the guidelines. Once everybody is in tune, you will find your virtual chat sessions run much more smoothly and the personal connection and interaction is wonderful.

Please complete this Doodle Poll for your availability for the Synchronous Learning Event.

Now post in the Discussion on Day Five: Synchronous Learning Activities.

Moving On to Day Six: Redesigning Learning Activities