Effective Chat Sessions: Should One Size Fit All? 2006 Merlot International Conference Don Williams, Ph.D. Genese Gibson, M.A., RT

Effective Chat Sessions: Effective Chat Sessions: Should One Size Fit All?Should One Size Fit All?

2006 Merlot International 2006 Merlot International ConferenceConference

Don Williams, Ph.D.Don Williams, Ph.D.Genese Gibson, M.A., RTGenese Gibson, M.A., RT

ObjectivesObjectives

Explore the value of synchronous chat Explore the value of synchronous chat sessionssessions

Identify the variety of chat session Identify the variety of chat session purposes and designspurposes and designs

Understand the principles for matching Understand the principles for matching course objectives with chat design.course objectives with chat design.

Chats at Chats at Florida Hospital CollegeFlorida Hospital College

Bachelors in Radiography CompletionBachelors in Radiography Completion– 5 Years5 Years– Enrollment growth 17-600Enrollment growth 17-600

RN to Bachelors in NursingRN to Bachelors in Nursing– 1.5 years1.5 years– Enrollment growth 30-375Enrollment growth 30-375

Compass ModelCompass Model

Synchronous ChatsSynchronous Chats– Facilitator group Facilitator group – SizeSize– FrequencyFrequency– LengthLength– PurposePurpose– RequiredRequired

Building Variety: Building Variety: Initial QuestionsInitial Questions

To chat or not to chat, that is the question.To chat or not to chat, that is the question.– What type of student?What type of student?

Traditional v non-traditionalTraditional v non-traditional

On campus v off campusOn campus v off campus

– Course ObjectivesCourse ObjectivesBuilding a learning communityBuilding a learning community

Learning v teachingLearning v teaching

Building Variety:Building Variety:Initial QuestionsInitial Questions

If yes to chat, for what purpose?If yes to chat, for what purpose?– Build communityBuild community– InformationInformation– FeedbackFeedback– Problem solvingProblem solving– Critical thinkingCritical thinking

Building Variety:Building Variety:Key QuestionsKey Questions

What type of course?What type of course?– Intro v advancedIntro v advanced– DisciplineDiscipline

HumanitiesHumanities

Science/mathScience/math

ProfessionalProfessional

– Lecture v Blended v PBLLecture v Blended v PBL– Demonstration/labDemonstration/lab

Building Variety:Building Variety:Key QuestionsKey Questions

What tools are available?What tools are available?– Breakout chatsBreakout chats– Threaded DiscussionsThreaded Discussions– White BoardWhite Board– AudioAudio– VisualVisual

Florida Hospital CollegeFlorida Hospital CollegeChat Session DesignChat Session Design

Type of Type of CourseCourse

Level of Level of CourseCourse PurposePurpose

Type of Type of ChatChat PreparationPreparation FrequencyFrequency ToolsTools

HumanitiesHumanities MixedMixed

Community/ Community/ AssignmentAssignmentReview/ Review/ Crit. Thinking Crit. Thinking

Q & AQ & ADiscussion Discussion

Reading/Reading/QuestionsQuestions WeeklyWeekly

Breakout chats/Breakout chats/ThreadedThreaded DiscussionsDiscussions

Science/Science/MathMath IntroIntro

Community/ Community/ Homework Homework FeedbackFeedback

Q & A/Q & A/Assignment Assignment ReviewReview AssignmentsAssignments WeeklyWeekly

White Board/White Board/AudioAudio

ProfessionalProfessional AdvancedAdvanced

Community/ Community/ Concept Concept Clarification/Clarification/Crit. Thinking Crit. Thinking

Q & A/Q & A/AnalysisAnalysis

Reading/Reading/QuestionsQuestions

Weekly/Weekly/Biweekly/Biweekly/NoneNone

Breakout chats/Breakout chats/Threaded Threaded DiscussionsDiscussions













































































The FutureThe Future

Broaden the number of tools availableBroaden the number of tools available

Engage students more as active learnersEngage students more as active learners– Mini-chats (Break-out chat sessions)Mini-chats (Break-out chat sessions)– Student led chat sessionsStudent led chat sessions

Higher level engagement within Bloom’s Higher level engagement within Bloom’s TaxonomyTaxonomy

SummarySummary

Chat sessions can be a valuable, Chat sessions can be a valuable, multipurpose modality in online learningmultipurpose modality in online learning

There are a variety of ways to match chat There are a variety of ways to match chat design with course objectivesdesign with course objectives

The value of chats can extend beyond The value of chats can extend beyond purely educational goals.purely educational goals.

Documents

Effective Chat Sessions: Should One Size Fit All? 2006 Merlot International Conference Don Williams, Ph.D. Genese Gibson, M.A., RT