References

Rich, L., Cowan, W., Herring, S. D., & Wilkes, W. (2009). Collaborate, Engage, and Interact in Online Learning: Successes with Wikis and Synchronous Virtual Classrooms at Athens State University. Online Submission, Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

How Information can be Presented in a Synchronous Medium

Wiki can also be used in a synchronous learning environment.  This will provide facilitators and participant a collaborative setting in which to pursue education and training objectives.  Athens State University uses wikis in combination with instant messaging tools in order to create a type of virtual classroom.   At this university wikis are used with instant messaging tools in order to do group projects, for example.  The instant message tools allow participants to interact with members of the team about assignments and aspects of projects without telephone conversation or a physical meeting.   Audio and text messaging tools add more of the feel of the traditional classroom to the online distant learning environment. 

The components of a universities asynchronous learning environment that can be enhance by adding synchronous content is large.  The instant messaging sessions from course chats can be used to supplement the asynchronous course content. 

Support for the Delivery Method

The delivery method chosen to display information about learning modalities is a blog. A blog was chosen because it is easy to use, accessible to all, and a great asynchronous tool. A blog allows for mulitlple posts with their own heading. This makes the information easy to read and understand. A blog can be used in future teaching environments. This tool allows for its participants to view and excahnge knowledge in a fast and easy to understand way. New information can be added instantly. A blog can be very useful in many environments.

Differences in Facilitators and Learners

Facilitators in each type of learning need to be able to communicate well with their students. Although, faclitators in a synchronous learning environment seem to be more involed with their students than those in an asynchronous environment. Asynchronous facilitaors need to be more active with their students, because they usally have to try to explain concepts and respond to students over a period of time. Both types of facilitators are dedicated to thier students.

 Both types of students have their own advantages. Students in an asynchronous learning environment need to have more self control and disipline than those of a synchronous environment. Synchronous students have the advatage of being able to ask a teacher a question as the lesson is taking place.  It is up to the student to determine how they learn best.

Facilitator Strategies for Asynchronous Learninig

·         Web logs or Blogs can be useful for sharing ideas and comments

·         Streaming audio and/or video can be useful for communicating or teaching

·         Surveys and polls can be useful for capturing information and trends

·         Databases can be useful for managing information and knowledge

·         Web books can be useful for teaching and training

·         Discussion boards can be useful for dialogue that takes place over a period of time

Advantages and Disadvantages of Asynchronous Learning

Asynchronous Learning Advantages:

Asynchronous learning can be helpful to students on many levels. One main advantage is that this tool allows each user to communicate at their own convenience and own schedule. Using this way of learning, people are able to access resources and information instantly. Discussion can take place between people over distance and time. Asynchronous learning is able to involve many different people over different time zones.

Asynchronous Learning Disadvantages:

Naturally, there are also drawbacks to asynchronous learning. The biggest disadvantage is the discipline each participant needs to posses in order to participate in an asynchronous learning environment. Waiting for someone to reply or respond to another person's information. Another disadvantage can be that discussions can feel impersonal. Communication between participants can be difficult in an asynchronous learning environment.

Facilitation Strategies for Synchronous Learning

·         Use whiteboard for collaboration and emphasis

·         Use emoticons to ask for immediate feedback from students

·         Use your visuals carefully - Make sure that they are relevant, and not just decorative. Visuals can include things that would normally be handouts, presentations, or references.

·         Archive! We mentioned this in other comments - saving your webcast and the chats is invaluable for your student. (Oakes & Rengaraja, 2002)