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

2. Objectives Explore the value of synchronous chat sessions Identify the variety of chat session purposes and designs Understand the principles for matching course objectives with chat design.

3. Chats at Florida Hospital College Bachelors in Radiography Completion –5 Years –Enrollment growth 17-600 RN to Bachelors in Nursing –1.5 years –Enrollment growth 30-375

4. Compass Model Synchronous Chats –Facilitator group –Size –Frequency –Length –Purpose –Required

5. Building Variety: Initial Questions To chat or not to chat, that is the question. –What type of student? Traditional v non-traditional On campus v off campus –Course Objectives Building a learning community Learning v teaching

6. Building Variety: Initial Questions If yes to chat, for what purpose? –Build community –Information –Feedback –Problem solving –Critical thinking

7. Building Variety: Key Questions What type of course? –Intro v advanced –Discipline HumanitiesScience/mathProfessional –Lecture v Blended v PBL –Demonstration/lab

8. Building Variety: Key Questions What tools are available? –Breakout chats –Threaded Discussions –White Board –Audio –Visual

9. Florida Hospital College Chat Session Design Type of Course Level of CoursePurpose Type of ChatPreparationFrequencyTools HumanitiesMixedCommunity/AssignmentReview/ Crit. Thinking Q & A DiscussionReading/QuestionsWeekly Breakout chats/ Threaded Discussions Discussions Science/MathIntroCommunity/HomeworkFeedback Q & A/ AssignmentReviewAssignmentsWeekly White Board/ Audio ProfessionalAdvancedCommunity/ConceptClarification/ Crit. Thinking Q & A/ AnalysisReading/QuestionsWeekly/Biweekly/None Breakout chats/ ThreadedDiscussions

10. Florida Hospital College Chat Session Design Type of Course Level of CoursePurpose Type of ChatPreparationFrequencyTools HumanitiesMixedCommunity/AssignmentReview/ Crit. Thinking Q & A DiscussionReading/QuestionsWeekly Breakout chats/ Threaded Discussions Discussions Science/MathIntroCommunity/HomeworkFeedback Q & A/ AssignmentReviewAssignmentsWeekly White Board/ Audio ProfessionalAdvancedCommunity/ConceptClarification/ Crit. Thinking Q & A/ AnalysisReading/QuestionsWeekly/Biweekly/None Breakout chats/ ThreadedDiscussions

11. Florida Hospital College Chat Session Design Type of Course Level of CoursePurpose Type of ChatPreparationFrequencyTools HumanitiesMixedCommunity/AssignmentReview/ Crit. Thinking Q & A DiscussionReading/QuestionsWeekly Breakout chats/ Threaded Discussions Discussions Science/MathIntroCommunity/HomeworkFeedback Q & A/ AssignmentReviewAssignmentsWeekly White Board/ Audio ProfessionalAdvancedCommunity/ConceptClarification/ Crit. Thinking Q & A/ AnalysisReading/QuestionsWeekly/Biweekly/None Breakout chats/ ThreadedDiscussions

12. Florida Hospital College Chat Session Design Type of Course Level of CoursePurpose Type of ChatPreparationFrequencyTools HumanitiesMixedCommunity/AssignmentReview/ Crit. Thinking Q & A DiscussionReading/QuestionsWeekly Breakout chats/ Threaded Discussions Discussions Science/MathIntroCommunity/HomeworkFeedback Q & A/ AssignmentReviewAssignmentsWeekly White Board/ Audio ProfessionalAdvancedCommunity/ConceptClarification/ Crit. Thinking Q & A/ AnalysisReading/QuestionsWeekly/Biweekly/None Breakout chats/ ThreadedDiscussions

13. Florida Hospital College Chat Session Design Type of Course Level of CoursePurpose Type of ChatPreparationFrequencyTools HumanitiesMixedCommunity/AssignmentReview/ Crit. Thinking Q & A DiscussionReading/QuestionsWeekly Breakout chats/ Threaded Discussions Discussions Science/MathIntroCommunity/HomeworkFeedback Q & A/ AssignmentReviewAssignmentsWeekly White Board/ Audio ProfessionalAdvancedCommunity/ConceptClarification/ Crit. Thinking Q & A/ AnalysisReading/QuestionsWeekly/Biweekly/None Breakout chats/ ThreadedDiscussions

14. The Future Broaden the number of tools available Engage students more as active learners –Mini-chats (Break-out chat sessions) –Student led chat sessions Higher level engagement within Bloom’s Taxonomy

15. Summary Chat sessions can be a valuable, multipurpose modality in online learning There are a variety of ways to match chat design with course objectives The value of chats can extend beyond purely educational goals.