Communicate 4.3.1 The Synchronous Session Quest

 How does integrating synchronous learning sessions within the online environment assist in developing a learning community for students? Discuss this question at length in your blog.

If we are just going according to stereotypes, then the online classroom has an aura of being more of an independent study with instructors checking in throughout the week, but the interaction has the sense of posting and waiting.  So the question then becomes how can the online instructor change the atmosphere to provide the feel of a traditional course room.  The following five suggestions might help to personalize the online classroom. 

1. Perhaps start with having st office hours.  With office hours, the instructor will always be at the computer and in the classroom.  When the student needs something, then the instructor can immediately respond to the student's need. 
2. In addition to office hours, tell students that email will be checked at a certain, specified time each day.  For example, on my lunch break I can spend about 15 minutes with the course email.  So I would tell my students that every weekday from 12:00 to 12:15 I will be checking email.  
3. If possible, consider allowing for texting and phone interaction.  Even if the text from the student is as simple as "please check your email" this will help to create the possibility of more interaction. 
4.  For the entire class, require 30 minutes every two weeks to a month in some type of interactive chat room.  Start by posing a simple question, and require that students log in.  Often two to three sessions will be necessary to accommodate everyone's schedule. 
5. Frequently check the course room and develop a specific class room persona by being involved. 

The central element is to make students feel like they can rely upon an instructor, and involvement is the key method for ensuring that this occurs.