Communication Tools

For my LMS course I will use both synchronous and asynchronous communication tools. These are discussion forums and chat. These tools are already embedded in the LMS (Moodle) with which I will be working.

Why you chose it?

I have chosen to work with the discussion forums (asynchronous) due to the opportunities the participants are given to development their social and cognitive skills (Anderson, 2008). The participants social skills will be enhance through individual and group postings to the discussion forums. The forums will give students the opportunities to develop relationships which may continue outside of the course.

Given the design of this communication tool, participants will be able to access the course at their own convenience. The exchanges made to the forum are archived and are retrievable at a later date.

What this tool brings to the educational experience?

In a discussion forum participants are able to analyze and reflect on the existing interchanges. The meaningful contribution to the discussion forum will stimulate the interest, and arouse the curiosity of the participants. The participants will become more reflective and critical of situations as they endeavour to build new knowledge while working at their own pace.

What are its limitations?

While the discussion forums provide an avenue for meaningful deliberations, participants may become disconcerted with them. Recurring or incoherent interchanges in the discussion forums may result in an overload of information. There may also be a feel of neglect in the forum, whenever responses are not forthcoming.

Does it work?

I have created several discussion forums in my LMS. I have created general discussion forums, group discussion forums, and a question and answer discussion forum. I do believe they are all working.

Why you chose it?

The chat session (synchronous) was created to facilitate real time connectivity among participants. The chat sessions will provide for participants the immediate responses to which they are accustom. This communication tool also create a sense of belonging amongst participants while providing them with “teacher presence’ (Anderson, 2008). The participants will be able to interact with the teacher during online office hours.

What does this tool brings to the educational experience?

With the use of the chat sessions students will be able to discuss topics in a more organized manner. They will be better able to participate in debates and presentations. In the chat sessions participants’ misconceptions are clarified with immediacy.

What are the limitations?

While the chat session provides for participants a feel of belonging, it is difficult to hold a chat session with a large number of students. The different time zones present a challenge when organizing a chat session. In the chat sessions participants are also given less time to reflect on, and analyze their responses.

Does it work?

I have created a chat session in my LMS.  This chat session is called “our meeting place.” The participants will meet there at the end of each week to discuss any lingering questions.

Reference

Anderson, T. (2008). Teaching in an Online Learning Context.  In: Anderson, T. & Elloumi, F. Theory and Practice of Online Learning. Athabasca University.Accessed online 3 March 2009

http://www.aupress.ca/books/120146/ebook/14_Anderson_2008_Anderson-DeliveryQualitySupport.pdf