Electronic Communication Methods

Distance learners, this is for you. We've all been there. Your blackboard course has started and you need to collaborate with classmates and communicate with professors. But when faced with so many choices - threaded discussions, email, and live chat - which digital medium earns an A+ in communication?

With the wide accessibility of live chat providers online, many distance learners turn to such a medium for anything from group projects to impromptu brainstorming sessions. This medium's format allows for an experience most similar to a face-to-face discussion that most would find comfortingly familiar and most conducive to natural conversation. As such, students will find this communication method most apt to encourage spontaneous ideas, lively discussion, and engaging back and forth. Despite its many advantages, however, live chat does have its limitations. Its live nature requires that all participants be present for the discussion, making it the least flexible for scheduling of all the mediums discussed herein. Unfortunately, the inherent chatty environment fostered also means that conversation leans towards the informal. A natural byproduct of which is the ease in which discussion can quickly digress off-topic which can sacrifice time efficiency and dilute the efficacy of the conversation. One must also consider that varying typing speeds can easily lead to some members of the chat being "typed over" by other members of the group. In addition, video or audio live chats can be somewhat finicky and vulnerable to technical difficulties due to insufficient internet speeds which can result if audio lag and voice distortion.

Any distance learner would probably agree that threaded discussion forums are the bread and butter of any extension class. Their innate capability to keep a running record of discussion allows for students to easily and quickly locate information found in the thread to refer back to for reference and reflection. The unlimited access enabled by this medium to view completed assignments posted by classmates makes this tool a springboard for ideas and learning. Additionally, the ability to post and return at anytime to the discussion means this medium is extremely flexible for student schedules. Since all discussions are public, it has an inclusive nature that feels open to any and all members of the course. Threaded discussion forums are, however, one of the less dynamic digital communication mediums as oftentimes there is a lag in response times which hinders conversation and dampens interest in deepening conversation. One must also be aware when participating in threaded discussions that information posted is not private.

Last in the distance learner's communication arsenal is email correspondence. Emails are perhaps the most personal and direct of all the mediums highlighted in today's post. Most recipients feel an obligation to reply in a reasonable timeframe when receiving direct communication which is an advantageous trait that helps conversation to flow seamlessly. With the prevalence of cell usage and email apps, email is arguably the most convenient way to converse at one's convenience without an added sign-in. Also, email threads make it simple to view past conversations for later reference and review. Of course email conversations are only shared with stated recipients. While this ensures a certain level of privacy, such communication limits the amount of potential collaboration and learning opportunities to those within the conversation.

The proliferation of flexible, accessible, and effective digital communication methods and tools has made it simple and convenient for all remote students to meet the communication demands required for distance learning. With an understanding of both their advantages and limitations, discussion threads, email, and live chat should all have a spot in any savvy distance learner's toolbox.

Happy (distance) learning, friends! 😊

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