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This article explores the use of synchronous activities like web conferencing in online learning.

Exploring Web Conferencing for Synchronous Discussions

What Are Synchronous Discussions?

Web conferencing--also known as video conferencing, live lecture capture, webcasts, or other monikers--allows you and your students to hold a discussion in real time. Dozens of programs are available, such as Adobe Connect, GoToMeeting, Panopto, Tegrity, and WebEx. At Boise State, Google Meet (formerly Hangouts) and Zoom are available. If you have ever participated in an online seminar--a webinar--you have likely used one of these programs. Most provide an opportunity to do the following:

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You also may have heard of, or used, Skype, which allows for telephone conversations over the Internet.

Why Use Synchronous Discussions?

Smith (2002) wrote about what asynchronous discussions can do for an online course, and the same is true for real-time discussions, which can:

  • Serve to reduce a feeling of isolation among students that can lead to dropping out.

  • Provide a place to meet needs of adult learners, who prefer application of information to their real-world experiences.

  • Afford the opportunity to build a sense of community among the learners. 

  • Help differentiate an online course from a correspondence course. Online discussions enhance student-to-student and faculty-to-student communication.

Best Ways to Use Synchronous Discussions?

Web conferencing learning activities include not only synchronous discussions (perhaps even with a guest speaker), but also project presentations, oral quizzes, role-playing activities, virtual labs, demonstrations, and more. In addition, students in the midst of group projects can use informal discussions to plan or conduct their work.

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Planning for Synchronous Discussions

Due to frequent changes in technology associated with online web conferencing, the instructions to support your activity will require regular maintenance. Our goal is to use technology that is supported by trained Help Desk staff at Boise State.

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Planning a web conference should take into account your students’ computer setup; you will need to let students know well in advance (in the syllabus and preferably before your class even begins), if they will require peripheral computer equipment such as a headset and webcam.

Designing for Synchronous Discussions

Your students will need the following specifics in order to be successful in web conferencing:

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Creating Learning Activities Using Synchronous Discussions

Refer to the following resources to learn more about the web conferencing tools available at Boise State:

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Examples of Synchronous Discussion

We've discovered that students can be afraid to attend live web conferencing sessions, and have found it helpful to reassure them that joining a session is an easy process and a positive experience. The verbiage below are examples of announcements used in a course at Boise State.

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