1. Synchronous Conferencing as Mindful Tools MEGAN SCHULTZ NOVEMBER 2, 2014 EDT 640

2. What is synchronous communication?  Also known as real-time communication  Occurs face to face with two or more people  Individuals communicate at same time on a shared network  Individuals are open to each other  Different environments include; 1RC's, PC conferences, MUD's, MOO's, WOO's, MUSH

3. 1nternet Relay Chat (1RC) Basic interactions through typed messages between groups of users Oldest form of synchronous conferencing Extensions are more explicit

4. Examples of Mindful Tools  Interner Relay- "ask an expert"  Desktop Conferencing- Global Schoolhouse and Scientist on Tap Project  Role Playing/Debating- "Meeting of Mind"  Shared Workspaces- collaborating on shared document  Related Mind tools- asynchronous technologies, email, LISTSERVs, newsgroups

5. Online Collaborative Group Guidelines  Orientation  Define the problem  Subdivide the problem  Establish roles  Seek information  Share information  Monitor  Negotiate understanding

6. Evaluating Synchronous Communication as Mind Tools  Critical, creative, and complex thinking is synchronous conferencing  Important for teacher to pose interesting, engaging questions, problems or projects for students  Primary critical thinking skill is evaluating  Evaluating ideas and connecting them is most difficult

7. Evaluating Student Synchronous Conferencing  Measure based on quality of student contributions to conversations  Rubric should include:  student messages on task and relevant  originality of student ideas  conversations are threaded/organized

8. Synchronous Conferencing as Mindful Tools Advantages  Sense of immediacy is compelling  Live interactions produce more motivation to contribute Limitations  Easy to lose focus; distractions  Easy to lose track of conversation threads  Difficult to avoid social discussions

9. Summary  Synchronous computer conferencing is new  Little research yet  Chats & MOOs are social gatherings where users have different identities  Implications have not been thought through  Potentially powerful medium to support collaboration and social negotiation  New applications will become evident