Online Conferencing and Forums for Learning
Reviewed: January 2008
This page has been kept for reference.
It will no longer be updated by ICVET.
A conference is a meeting or assembly of many people and with a pre-agreed agenda. Online conferencing refers to when the internet is used to connect participants who are not necessarily in the same physical space.
There are different kinds of online conferences. Some are synchronous (the participants are meeting at the same time although in different locations). These include videoconferences and teleconferences. Others are asynchronous (the participants are not meeting at the same time). These might use email type software and online forums.
As a learning tool, asynchronous conferencing or forums are a way to allow students to communicate with each other and with the teacher/facilitator without having to be online at the same time. They are more flexible than synchronous forums because they allow the students time to read the discussion and think about their response before adding to the conversation. Synchronous conferencing can be a powerful way to encourage debate, discussion and a sense of being part of a learning group.
Websites
Eight Ways to Get Students More Engaged in Online Conferencing
Handy hints such as ‘require participation,’ ‘Don’t just settle for opinions’ and ‘Use Peer Grading.’
Online Conferencing: A Guide for Virtual Group Discussion
Easy to read yet comprehensive guide to planning and conducting an educational online conference. Includes a planning checklist, advice on using an expert to generate discussion and a list of questions you can use to choose the right software for your needs. From the University of Alberta.
Web Conferencing on Guide
A comprehensive guide to software for discussions on the web.
DEOS - Distance Education Online Symposium
Mauri Collins has, for many years, been the moderator of DEOS, one of the largest and busiest listservs for distance education. DEOS provides a forum for discussion on the pedagogy of distance education as well as news and information on new hardware and software for distance education, conferences and links to distance education resources worldwide. Although the list is based in the US, its contributors come from all over the world. Information on joining DEOS is available at the above URL. Be warned: the list generates at least 20 messages a day.
Effectively Using Electronic Conferencing
A brief list of Things to Do and Things to Avoid about electronic conferencing. Worthwhile for those about to embark on running an electronic conference. By Kathryn Propst, based on a lecture by Linda Harasim.
Resources for Moderators and Facilitators of Online Discussion
Terrific collection of links to resources about online discussions from Collins and Berge - both experts in this area.
Video-conferencing cookbook
Everything you ever needed to know about videoconferencing.