Live Chats and Attendance
Does anyone else feel really strange giving and recording a Live Chat when no students can make it to class? Even though I am just talking into a webcam either way, I really dislike the feeling.
Ron
Ron,
It's a weird feeling for sure. It's like sitting in a room talking to yourself. . .wait I do that! Ha! Just kidding. It is weird, but if there is important information to get out we have to get it out. I structure my class to have four live chats and students are required to come to two. That helps. Thanks!
Hi Ron,
Absolutely!!! This is one of the strangest things I have done as a teacher over the past 12 years. I wish there was some way that it be mandatory for students to attendance at least one LC. I really enjoy the engagement level that is created in the chats when students are present. Great question!
Todd
Todd and Ron,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. It's too bad you can't require them to attend. My university allows the faculty to choose to or not to require that component. I have found it very helpful.
Hi Ron,
At first I did feel strange, but then I realized that if I act as though there are students in class, I stay more focused on teaching rather than just going through the lecture plan. I do this by making comments like...you all should be mindful to do... or please make sure you send me an email... as an example.
Rick Johnson
Rick,
We have to "act" sometimes to make the teaching come across better. Nothing wrong with that. Thanks!
Ron,
I experience the same feelings. But, as one other instructed noted, when students don't attend, I try to bring more energy to my presentation and always ask students to contact me if they have any questions.
All of my Live Chats are recorded and I can often check and see if anyone has viewed the recordings. Do any other instructors have this option?
I've decided that in my next session, I plan on reviewing this on a weekly basis. If no one has viewed the recording, I plan on sending students an email to remind them about the recording. Even if this doesn't increase attendance at least it may increase how many students listen to the Live Chats.
Janelle Marshall
Janelle and Ron,
Isn't it nice to know that others are having the same experiences. Students do need reminding, but I have found if you do it too much, they expect it and rely on it so there is a fine balance. Thanks for your input.
We all agree it's great to have the live interaction with the students. However, I had to re-record a session with no students in attendance. Therefore, I was energized as if there were students available. I envisioned students were online with me so my inflection tones in my voice were present, never a monotone Live Chat. Remember, if students review the recorded session, they want it to be engaging and exciting just as if it were live. So, don't feel strange. Just be engaging and interesting!
Hi Ron,
You are not alone. I dislike when students do not attend the live chats because the time goes by slow. Live chats is an additional opportunity for students to bond with the instructor. When I give live chats I do not lecture, I engage students by asking questions, discussing real life examples, and critical thinking. I have had a few lectures with no students in attendance and I have had many where the entire class shows up to each one. Thanks, Compreca
LOL !!!!
I feel the same way, and do not see the need for two LC's a week with no student participation.Most of students do not even review LC'a.
I taught for Kaplan University for a long time and we had once a week mandatory seminar. This was lots of fun! Students were mandate to attendant if they did not make it to a seminar they had to complete option 2, which very similar to our LC assignment. Hence when you have 15 - 18 students attending a seminar it is so much fun conducting one. I played games with them, assigned case studies that we discussed during the seminar, etc.
In today meeting with the provost I plan on discussing this topic.
Marina
Marina,
Sounds like you know how to have a great chat with your students. Making learning fun can be a good thing. Thanks!
compreca and Ron,
Thanks for keeping the conversation alive. I hope you can record the lectures in which students were not in attendance. Thanks!
Rose,
Have you tried integrating a participation grade into your grading schema so that students will attend and participate? Just a thought.
I too used to feel really strange when nobody shows up for live chat. I have scheduled my chats such that students can attend at least 1 chat weekly. But sometimes they just don't show up.
