Synchronous Session

As a freshman in college, I took a really hard course, Zoology.  I did not know that the instructor of the course was infamous in being rigid.  I didn't think it was that bad.  It was stadium seating and I sat in the front row.  She gave us the introductory sermon of look to the left and right, two of you will not be here.  Well, I was one of the two.  I dropped the course the first semester.

However, I registered for it during the Spring.  I went to her and asked what was I doing wrong when I encountered difficulty.  We talked.  I calculated my grade at the end of the semester to be a 'B'.  It was.  By the end of the Spring semester,  this professor knew my name.

This is what Synchronous learning is about, the online student becomes more than an ID number or a name on a roster.  The student becomes human, you make a connection and that connection is motivating, inspiring and promotes self-efficacy.

As told in this story, a face-to-face class is not in spirit synchronous.  It's only when the student connects with you, the teacher does real motivation and learning truly begins.  At the end of the school year, my principle ask a teacher, how were you able to get the high EOCT passing rates.  She simply stated, "I liked those students".

Synchronous class elements allows us to present, sell and collaborate.  It allows us, as teachers to connect with the students and build an online community of collaboration, support and where the independent student is valued and their existence is validated.