Online communication has evolved rapidly with the usage of email, mobile phones, internet, IM, Skype and other communication tools. Simonson discussed distance no longer plays an intricate part in the communication world through the usage of communication devices. These devices have proved beneficial in the corporate world and higher education is grasping and developing the concept.
Online courses today have many different learning components with “threaded discussion” as the central mode of communication. Some best practices for instruction to further engage the learners in online discussion are listed below: (Leu, 2010)
Classroom Presence- Communication between the instructor and student must be frequent, consistent, and thorough with sufficient turnaround time. Students trust that the instructor is reading everything submitted and instructors must encourage the student with constant and timely interaction.
Intuitive communication skills- The online instructor must be able to communicate within both the “learner” and “instructor” realms with relevance. In the online discussion forum, the instructor needs to discern individual and class needs while still communicating knowledge – the challenge is to do this in writing. In addition, instructors need to demonstrate leadership and a command of the online classroom. Striking a balance between “in-the-know” and knowledgeable is tricky, but attainable.
Flexibility- The instructor should allow the discussions to evolve and move to a new place if real learning is taking place in order to keep from losing the student when the discussion is too rigid. With intuitive communication skills, the online instructor should be able to keep control of the new discussion to ensure that it is relevant and appropriate.
Communicating and connecting to the student is more challenging online than face-to-face interactions. Online instructors must display a strong presence of personality that comes through and transcends the technology to be effective and engaging. As with anything else, “practice makes progress.”
Leu, Tom. 2010. Let’s chat! Connecting with learners through online discussions. As retrieved
January 2, 2011 from http://www.pearsoncustom.com/professional/blog/tag/distance-ed/
Simonson, M. (2008). Distance education: The next generation. (Vodcast). Principles of
Distance Education DVD produced by Laureate Education, Inc. Baltimore.
Theresa: As Moore (1989) notes, commmunications is not just between student and instructor. Communications is also between the student and the content (or computer) and student to student. His model identifies three types of inteaction. I would also add a fourth, student to many (i.e. group interaction) as well.
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Moore, M.G. (1989). Three types of interaction. The American Journal of Distance Education, Vol 2, No. 2. Available at: http://www.ajde.com/Contents/vol3_2.htm#editorial