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Abstract: As more and more instructors enter the world of online teaching and learning, a body of knowledge is emerging around the challenge of facilitating online interaction and fostering online collaboration. This paper draws from the literature on asynchronous learning and the authors' own experiences with online discussion and collaborative online projects. We identify a variety of techniques for focusing student dialogue, fostering an online learning community, and promoting successful collaboration. Instructors who are teaching wholly online courses or simply integrating online components into face-to-face classes will benefit from the observations and discussion.

#TT1921 - I got a better insight into synchronous interaction though this article. I think it is worth reading. Synchronous learning refers to a learning event in which a group of students are engaging in learning at the same time. Before learning, technology allowed for synchronous learning environments, most online education took place through asynchronous learning methods. Since synchronous tools that can be used for education have become available, many people are turning to them as a way to help decrease the challenges associated with distance that occurs in online education.

Vesely, P., Bloom, L., & Sherlock, J. (2007). Key elements of building online community: Comparing faculty and student perceptions. MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching, 3(3), 234-246. Vesely, Bloom, and Sherlock (2007) document that essential to the learning process is the student/student and student/teacher interaction, and building this community of learners is more challenging in online. Students in blended courses felt interaction may be better than in traditional courses. Students who feel silenced in onsite class discussions are more apt to contribute online. Seeking help can be a determining factor in successful learning. In the online communities, help is available virtually around the clock from the instructors and fellow classmates. Furthermore, through their experiences in the blended course, students would better understand the significance of managing their time, cultivating their study environment, regulating their effort, seeking appropriate support, and learning from classmates. In my experience, students reported that their online interaction with classmates had greatly assisted in their comprehension of course materials. Central to how they felt about blended learning was the quality and quantity of student and faculty interaction. In blended courses, students are often required to engage actively by reading and responding to discussion forum postings that become a permanent record of their participation and learning, rather than passively attending classes. Perceptions of interaction from faculty are also positive for blended courses. Faculty renovate their teaching methods by placing onsite lectures online and adding supplementary activities to aid student learning. Blended teaching and learning transforms education from "a command and control structure to a connect and collaborate environment" (Moskal, Dziuban, Upchurch, Hartman, & Truman, 2006) which is more student-centered than faculty-controlled. For faculty, the quality

There seems to be a widespread belief that every college or university is already deeply enmeshed in online learning. The reality is that many schools are still trying to figure out their online learning strategy. If you are thinking about investing in a new online learning program then you will have no shortage of advice.

For Blackboard Users--Tutorials from UIS Center for Online Learning, Research and Service --Jim G

Synchronous or Asynchronous eLearning? Check the Benefits of Synchronous and Asynchronous e-Learning to choose the best learning solution for your learners.

In an online classroom environment many of the learning activities and expectations are similar to those found in a traditional classroom. These learning environments offer meaningful interactions in a face-to-face setting and are most commonly referred to as synchronous learning activities (Hrastinski, 2008; Harris et al., 2009; Simonson et al., 2012).

Many readers use synchronous e-Learning tools to deliver instruction live and online. However, there are many other uses for these tools in education and in corporate settings. This article relates the success of one particular tool, and offers a number of best practices that you will be able to put to work in creating and delivering effective, competitive e-Learning.

A brief video analysis of online learning.

A book/web project aimed at a presentation on Online Teaching and Learning, written by an instructional designer at Walden Istitute

Latest stats on online learning in the U.S., including number of students enrolled, percentage of faculty supporting online courses, and growth rates for the past 10 years.

Reaching agreement on the convenience of online classes is easy, but arguing in favor of a synchronous learning experience in a virtual classroom is harder. Debunking the top 10 myths about synchronous online teaching helps refute the arguments against it, while the transformational nature of online teaching can convert skeptics into supporters.

Reaching agreement on the convenience of online classes is easy, but arguing in favor of a synchronous learning experience in a virtual classroom is harder. Debunking the top 10 myths about synchronous online teaching helps refute the arguments against it, while the transformational nature of online teaching can convert skeptics into supporters.

I can't believe that people still believe all these myths. However I have colleagues that still resist even limited technology in hybrid classes.

As cost-effective alternatives to traditional college classes, online learning programs continue to gain steam in higher ed. According to statistics gathered for an online learning Consortium infographic, 5.8 million students are now enrolled in online courses, and the majority put tremendous stock in the quality of their education: 90 percent of students say their online learning experiences are the same or better than in-classroom options.

I hear complaints about the poor quality of student writing today as often as I read stories about the Internet causing the end of higher education as we know it (i.e., frequently). When those complaints come in the form of actual conversations with peers, instead of in print, I feel myself immediately put on the defensive.

Thanks for this post Heather. I liked that the instructor recognized that despite some challenges with using a new technique to promote his students' writing skills the energy that was expressed by his students far outweighed the "mess" that he dealt with the first time trying something new.

The lack of learning transfer is a common mantra in higher education. It's a good article for reflection. Although I've been a proponent of service learning, at the same time, I wasn't sure how students could or if they would transfer their experiences to the academic component. Now, I need to rethink my position on service learning and its impact on connected learning

UIS Center for Online Learning...

The underuse of video in post-secondary online learning Video is not being used enough in online learning in post-secondary education. When used it is often an afterthought or an 'extra', rather than an integral part of the design, or is used merely to replicate a classroom lecture, rather than exploiting the unique characteristics of video.

This article summarizes opinions from experts in online learning on challenges, opportunities and issues related to online learning.

If you haven't been here yet its worth the trip

Wisc-Online is a digital library of Web-based learning resources called "learning objects."

This article describes the use of social media as a bridge between students, teachers, and the online course. Many students are currently using social media such as Facebook and Twitter. The challenge for instructors is to learn how to leverage that as as an opportunity to create value for the student, the course, and for the instructor. The growing trend of Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is commonplace among many campuses and it is now becoming common for institutions to require students to supply their own technology tools.

5 Differences Between MOOCs, Online Degree Programs Expect greater access to your professor in an online degree program than in massive open online courses.

This course site and presentation will illustrate how the "Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" (Chickering and Gamson, 1991) can be supported using the features of Blackboard Learn. Several online course design rubrics will also guide our showcase of quality instructional design options related to course structure, navigation, activities, assignments (individual and group), and communication. "Seven Principles of Good Practice in Undergraduate Education" (Chickering and Gamson, 1991), states a quality teaching and learning environment is one that: (1) Encourages contact between students and faculty, (2) Develops reciprocity and cooperation among students, (3) Encourages active learning, (4) Gives prompt feedback, (5) Emphasizes time on task, (6) Communicates high expectations, and (7) Respects diverse talents and ways of learning.