On Sunday, March 22nd, I was joined by two brilliant ladies, Dr. Maha Bali and Dr. Peggy Semingson in a #HumanMOOC Google Hangout. We discussed the affordances and limitations of technology specifically synchronous and asynchronous communications in online courses.
Dr. Semingson makes some good points about the personal attention that can be given to an online learner with synchronous communication tools. In the #HumanMOOC, we shared a video that explains that sometimes simply making a phone call can be the way to reach a learner in a student-centered learning environment. Dr. Bali speaks to the need for learners to have time to reflect and gather their thoughts before responding and how valuable that is to someone who’s first language is not the language of the instruction. Many other points are made in the video below.
What are your key takeaways? Which do you prefer?