Interdisciplinary trials of synchronous,voice-based communication systems

Abstract

This paper summarises four concurrent trials using synchronous, voice-based communication systems at the University of South Australia in the Divisions of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, Health Sciences and Business and Enterprise. The benefits of synchronous communication as well as the challenges associated with the use of these technologies in an online learning environment are discussed, and the strategies that can be employed to meet these challenges described. The purpose of the trial was to utilise voice-based, synchronous chat systems that would assist in explaining technical concepts to students; help to address the written language problems experienced by NESB students; allow external students to deliver oral presentations to the class and lecturer, discuss assignment development and obtain group feedback; reduce the volume of listserv postings during learning community formation; facilitate supervision of postgraduate students and allow student located in rural and remote locations to present annual review seminars; allow external students to present a simulated external client presentation to student peers and lecturer and engage in post-presentation discussion; record/edit classes for students who missed class and archived for future use, and allow external students to view the work of others and make comment on it in a synchronous environment.