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Orientation: Online Communication Tips
Online communication includes student/instructor interactions and student/student interactions in chat rooms, emails, and discussion rooms and forums.
Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Environments*
There are two types of online communication environments: synchronous or asynchronous. The first, synchronous communication, takes place in “real-time,” or at the same time. To be online at the same time as your peers and interact with them is to communicate synchronously. Chat and instant messaging are two examples of synchronous communication tools. Chat sessions and instant messaging can have a lively, immediate feel, and may feel casual or conversational in tone.
The second type of communication, asynchronous communication, takes place over time, not requiring group members to be online simultaneously. Email, discussion forums, and bulletin boards are examples of asynchronous communication often used in online courses. With asynchronous communication tools, you browse, read, and respond at your own pace to what others have already sent or posted.
Online Communication Skills*
Becoming a productive part of an online learning community means you must already know how – or be willing to learn – to communicate clearly and concisely when you write. A few guidelines to help you produce clear, effective written contributions to your course: Use short sentences. Avoid run-on sentences.
- Use short paragraphs about 4-5 sentences in length.
- Use white space to make your posting more readable. For example, use two hard returns to separate paragraphs or parts of your response.
- Compose online posts and responses in a word processing program such as Microsoft Word. Then copy and paste them into the online environment.
- Use the spell-check and grammar features of your word processing program to help catch careless errors.
- After composing a response, wait a few minutes. Then read your posting again before you submit it. Fix any awkward or unclear thoughts before you post the final version.
- Where appropriate, use emoticons to communicate humor or irony. Don't assume that your joking or sarcastic tone will come through when others read your responses.
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* Indiana University, 2005