Given the choice between the two types of environments’ I can see that there can be benefits to both types of environments. The asynchronous is nice because it is schedule free. There is not a specific time that you have to be at your computer - which is why most people take online courses. However, the asynchronous courses are not as close knit. Discussion boards are not my favorite things. Sometimes there is not an authentic way to respond to two people on a discussion board when everyone is saying the same thing. That is probably the hardest part of the discussion board.
On the other hand, a Synchronous class seems as though it could be more beneficial for discussion. I have never been a part of a synchronous class, but I think for a topic it is more effective to be able to talk directly to whomever you are discussing with and get immediate feedback. Our use of Second life was interesting and one way that a class can be synchronous if each student has capable access. I unfortunately did not; I lost connection and then could not make it back. Of course, the downfall would be that there would be a designated time that could interfere with work and/or family time.
One thing I don't like about discussion boards is that they are so often so formal. We're required to use APA format in most classes, and that really doesn't seem like a discussion to me. It's more of an essay and response, and it doesn't effectively simulate the classroom experience at all -- which I assume is what it was intended to do.
ReplyDeleteAnother drawback that I saw with Second Life is that there were too many distractions. Even when listening to the instructor speak, there is the text chat that is going on that can really get distracting. Of course, that's really no different than kids talking to each other or passing notes in class, so I guess that isn't a new problem.