Based on the understanding that learning occurs through
collaborative constructivism and that dialogue is important in the process of
learning to give a social context and make personal meaning, the role of the
facilitator covers the development of strategies which will encourage dialogue
(McAllister et al 2004) between the students and between the students and facilitator.
This is, according to McAllister et al (2004, pp 195) ‘in order to suitably ground students’ prior knowledge and cultivate
the social, motivational and empathic features that support meaningful and
effective interaction.’ As discussed in the earlier blog, these
interactions can be synchronous
or asynchronous. Synchronous online learning interactions and the tools
that facilitate this function need to be examined, in particular the linear
text chat tool which is commonly used within virtual learning environments (such
as Blackboard and WebCT, IRC chat tools, Addonchat, InterLoc, MSN and other Messenger tools) and also tools
that display the real time communication as graphic and spatial displays (for
example Digalo, Belvedere Inquiry Diagram, Compendium, Araucaria).
‘The limitations and
affordances of conferencing technologies require adaptations and changes in
human behaviour for successful communication to take place’ (Musselbrook et
al., 2000). According to Conole et al
(2006) affordances are viewed as accessibility, adaptability, diversity and
multimodality of the tool. It also is examined for the extent of communication
and collaboration the tool allows as well as the in-built tracking mechanism it
has. All tools are not suitable for all
purposes and all methods of learning. This too has to be understood about the
tool before using it. Synchronous and
asynchronous communication tools are meant for communicating and collaborating
during the learning experience. Yang & Xue (2003) explain that synchronous
tools allow for more than one person to access a tool at the same time and any
changes made are seen by all parties.
In the later blogs I will give an overview of the tools I
have identified here.
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