Pros and Cons: Synchronous and Asynchronous Discussion
While there are a variety of potential communication and collaboration spaces available via the Internet, for this module, we would like you to restrict yourself to working with those we have set up for your use in this course, directly in LMS. Both Moodle and BlackBoard Learn have some quite sophisticated tools built into their interface, making it possible to set up all manner of communications, ranging from internal mail to threaded discussions, to weblog-like forums and wiki-like collaborative writing spaces. As well, and as importantly, LMS provides some tools to help organize the flow of information within the course site as well as track the usage of tools. Both of these characteristics can be quite important for student management and basic information management (for students and teachers).
Take some time to explore the various communication tools within your selected LMS. You can find help resources in both platforms that will provide you with information on how to set up different kinds of communication. Do pay particular attention to some of the peer assessment tools that are now built into discussion forum options. The presence of such tools indicates that LMS developers are paying attention to how peer interaction can be supported within these communication tools.
In your group, complete the tables about benefits and drawback of synchronous and asynchronous communication. Start with adding only one benefit and one drawback of each, allowing other group members to add their own. If all members have done their part, you may add more.
This activity is not graded, but it is required. It will help you decide on your communication strategies for the Assignment #2: LMS Introductory Module. You will also reflect on it in your post on Assignment #2.
Due Sunday, February 14th 2016.
Review the other groups’ work and post your comments here. You don’t need to create a post, just write a comment if you have something to add to your group’s Pros and Cons, or you have a feedback for another group. These comments are optional.
Maple group
Oak group
Aspen group
Hi everyone,
great work on your pro and con arguments regarding synchronous and asynchronous communication. It is great to see how you identified that every aspect has both sides. It is almost like every cell in your table has “good/bad for this, but…”
Here are a few general observations.
1) what is an advantage for one, could be a disadvantage for someone else, e.g. synchronous communication requiring immediate response;
2) synchronous communications could lead to community building. Can we create the same welcoming environment in asynchronous setting?
3) both types of communication could be inviting to some and “threatening” to others, making them withdraw from discussion.
I would like you to think about all the aspects of communication that your group members or other groups, if you had the chance to look at their Google docs, came up with, when you design the communication strategies for your course. Think about that first interaction of your students and the possible “icebreaker”. What will keep them engaged? What will make them come back to the communication? What about yourself and your workload? Think about Trinh and the problems she struggled with. Can you predict what could happen in your course and be proactive with your design?
Natasha
Hello everyone,
Starting on the second part of content module assignment I could not help but think back to this activity. I was curious if there was an overwhelming amount of advantages, or disadvantages, that favoured one form of communication over the other. I compiled the data created by all groups and removed the entries that are similar, only to realize that it is pretty much a tie (I have placed it in a google sheet for your consideration https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1H71DFdMr8tOo0Vi5e1cfYxW2oFqh08iVABai6NsE7Pk/edit?usp=sharing ). I would be interested in knowing if, after designing a course, anyone would have advantages or disadvantages to add.