Blackboard Collaborate is a web conferencing tool that allows for multiple communication methods like video chat, audio calls, and messaging. It also includes interactive features like polling, surveys, and screen sharing. Synchronous web sessions through Blackboard Collaborate offer conveniences like reduced travel and flexibility to participate anywhere, and allow for more interaction between students and instructors. The document proposes using synchronous web sessions as an alternative to self-taught sessions, which have lower student satisfaction and test performance, and for team-based learning sessions involving readiness tests and breakout group work.
11. Synchronous Web Sessions (SWS)
Benefits
The first factor relating to course satisfaction is the
convenience and flexibility1
Second factor is interactions between students and
instructor1
1. Convenient: reduced travel, spending (gas), and
parking slots
2. Flexible: no need to reserve time slot in calendar
and room. Recorded: student can watch anytime
3. More interaction: chat (student to teacher, student
to student) and polling
13. How can we use it?
I. SWS may be a good alternative to self-taught
sessions for which currently
1. Student satisfaction rate is low
2. Performance on tests lower (personal data,
Baatar).
II. Can be used for TBL sessions: readiness test,
breakout rooms (teams), multiple moderators
(distant: clinicians).
Editor's Notes
1. Seiler K, Billings D. Student experiences in Web-based nursing courses: benchmarking best practices. Int J Nurs Educ Scholarsh. 2004;1(1). Available at: http://www.bepress.com/ijnes/. Accessed August 8, 2005.
