Concerns of Website Forums

Critical Thinking Paper: Concerns of Website Forums

Enriching the learning experience for students with asynchronous techniques has become very popular, In the E-learning environment these techniques are crucial for the success of the students learning. The asynchronous techniques are also used in a classroom setting also, to add enrichment of the materials.

Asynchronous Techniques

Asynchronous model teaches communication with students who maybe in different times, and different places. Asynchronous models are more popular in E-learning environments than synchronous tools. Implementation of these tools are relatively low, many tools are free and most require no or minimal hardware or software. Some of the asynchronous tools include; discussion boards, blogs, social networking sites, and email. These tools can provide rich conversations, open lines of communication, and enhance teaching and students learning.

Concerns with asynchronous techniques

Each tool can come with its own advantages and disadvantages. Starting with one of the most common collaboration tools, E-mail. Some students will start depending on email as the primary communication tool and will not use the materials and resources on the course site. Another concern is the use of discussion boards which can with challenges of their own such as time consuming process of grading discussions. Post by students may lack higher thinking skills and some students may fail to find their voice in online discussions. Other concerns include the informal and flexibility of some tools which can be hard to maintain focus and foster critical thinking and some of the students may be embarrassed or reluctant to share thought on a board where all other students could s...

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...tion skill that are promoted with asynchronous technologies provide a more interesting and engaged way to learn reading, writing, and speaking . The open communication between the students, families, and other colleagues encourages community building, information sharing. Teachers are now able to connect with students while promoting after hour academics and promoting meaningful learning. Along with all the positives comes concerns of the use of these technologies. Major concerns include student privacy, grading practices, and online content. Teachers can minimize and reduce the risk of these concerns by providing clear guidelines to the assignments, adding password protected log in and passwords, and by providing students with the information they need to make decisions regarding materials found online and discussed online and the integrity of the content.