Synchronous


 * ==****Synchronous Teaching****== **Resources, links, facts, guidelines, blogs, examples, and other interesting information.**


 * 1) [|Preparing and Teaching Synchronous Video Courses]
 * 2) [|Is Life a Breeze?]
 * 3) [|Synchronous Teaching with PowerPoint] ||

 http://www.clt.odu.edu/ofo/syncvideo.php?src=prep_sv
 * Preparing and Teaching Synchronous Video Courses**

This site is actually a faculty orientation and resource guild from Old Dominion University. It serves as an excellent step by step template for anyone interested in a teaching a student centered synchronous video course. As you nagvigate your way through the site you will find: Seven Principles of Effective Distance Teaching Using Powerpoint in your Synchronous Video Course Preventing Cheating and lots more. Very comprehensive resource for interested educators. ~Ramona Broomer

 This is an interesting study that was done by the Department of Instructional Systems Technology at Indiana University titled, "Is Life a Breeze? A Case Study for Promoting Synchronous Learning in a Blended Graduate Course". I posted the abstract below, but basically the study examined graduate students using synchronous teaching tools within a blended learning environment in order to give presentations and peer reviews. It was published in the Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT) last month.
 * Is Life a Breeze?**

http://jolt.merlot.org/vol3no3/park.htm

"This case study examines a synchronous online teaching practice in a blended course in which distance and residential students jointly perform multi-media presentation and verbal critique to improve individual students’ projects in media design. The research focused on the pedagogical strategies, tools, and issues associated with synchronous teaching. The researchers looked at how learning was promoted, and how interaction was mediated using a combination of communication tools - Breeze (now called Adobe Connect Professional) shared screen and Breeze voice, telephone, or text-based discussion. Online instructors’ perceptions of the benefits as well as disadvantages of the synchronous mode were identified and discussed. Based on the findings, suggestions are offered to instructors and institutions interested in the integration of synchronous technology into their courses and programs." ~Sara Boyce

 Here is a WONDERFUL PowerPoint that gives great pointers on synchronous teaching. http://www.trainingshare.com/download/dc/rowdy.ppt Frequent dilemmas in the synchronous environment are discussed with possible solutions. In addition, ideas to “mix up” one’s presentations are also given. This would be a great resource for people teaching a synchronous course for the first time or for educators seeking solutions to problems (i.e. uncooperative participants) encountered in their synchronous course. ~Emily Dietz
 * Synchronous Teaching with PowerPoint**

This is an interesting article about incorporating collaboration tools into a synchronous classroom. The article includes tips on building engaging exercises and also gives you background knowledge of whiteboards, chat rooms and web designs. "Organizations that invest in synchronous training products have visions of brilliant collaboration taking place across the bandwidth. Why then are so many synchronous programs still designed to highlight the "Sage on Stage?" The answer lies in the notion that training departments have little time to experiment with collaborative tools, or to adapt classroom exercises to get the most impact from the new delivery method. Consequently, programs often create passive experiences for participants, and they fail to meet quality standards set for traditional training programs. Designers need to learn to take advantage of the various communication features offered by synchronous classroom applications. For example, conduct a brainstorming activity in the chat area to engage kinetic learners who need to physically do something. Similarly, use group whiteboard activities that appeal to kinetic learners and attract visual learners who prefer a graphic representation of ideas. You can gauge participants' interest and comprehension by their level of participation in such exercises. More important, instant collaboration tools can reduce the feeling of isolation that participants feel when they're remote from the instructor." [|Synchronous Tips] ~ Alanna Ramin
 * Collaboration Tools in a Synchronous Classroom**

Here is a pretty cool site from Denise O'Mara out of Australia about different ways and tools to use for teaching on the Internet. http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/denise/
 * Tools to Teach on the Internet**

I also found an interesting article talking about the impact of learning and teaching on the Internet. The author talks about options, cost, infrastructure, status, operations, hiring etc. Very interesting. Check it out! http://www.usdla.org/html/journal/MAR02_Issue/article01.html ~ Matt Milgram

http://horizon.unc.edu/projects/monograph/CD/Technological_Tools/Graziadei.html I found this site very interesting because it talks about how to design an online course with the right strategies. Talks about phases of evaluation, understanding audience's need, and content. ~Mach Meas
 * Strategies for Designing Online Courses**

I found this slide presentation on www.slideshare.net about how to NOT bore your audience to death. I found it to be interesting, interesting enough for me to read all 61 slides without any audio. I think the author of the presentation really gets the point across and it's very informal. For those who haven't presented in Centra yet, maybe it'll be helpful!: [|Death by PowerPoint] ~Leigh
 * Death by PowerPoint**

//LaBonte, Crichton and Allison (2003)// http://odysseylearn.com/Resrce/text/e-Moderating%20tips.pdf This article is a really great resource for learning about e-Pedagogy, moderating and managing online classrooms and creating dynamic online courses. This source has a great list of the changes of the teacher and student role when teaching and learning moves from the traditional classroom to the virtual classroom, has lots of beneficial "tips of the trade" for instructors and provides solutions for many common virtual classroom distractors. The article also offers tips for designing and presenting powerpoint slides, including slide design, color scheme, and layout. This is a great resource for those just getting started in designing online instruction and serves as a great source to help experienced designers brush up on their skills. ~ Jessica Konigsbauer
 * Moderating Tips for Synchronous Learning Using Virtual Classroom Technologies**

[|The article]
 * Creating a Positive Learning Environment**

"... the teacher and learner have to develop a tiny learning community. They define what makes the class real, and they mostly create a sense of the classroom through their individual work spaces. The student creates a time and place for completing course activities and basically builds his or her “classroom” individually. The teacher does the same. However, the connection between teacher and learner—the rapport, shared insights, and suggestions for studying a subject—makes the class a true educational experience. Creating a learning community, even with two people, is a big part of creating a sense of classroom and //__real education__//."

This articles basically talks about creating a positive environment in both synchronous and asynchronous online learning environment. It speaks to the learner's and instructor's role. ~Navalin