Hello Sir. If I may recall then during my childhood days, I used to listen to the stories on Radio Sargam or was it Radio Fiji 2 and those stories had moral values in it. I believe that it did effectively shape up many kids like me to be a better person in life. Now, looking back at the question you’ve asked Sir, then I do feel it would be a great initiative to have students learn few concepts on a daily basis which could be aired on radio. However, I also feel that this is a matter of students personal interest and initiative to take time out and actually learn something taught to them considering that the Internet has already made a huge impact on the 21st Century learners in this digital era.
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The last paragraph is instructive and geared towards making this learning environment more inclusive and accessible. Thank you @DeepakPrasad for the wonderful reaction to Ms.
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In Nigeria, during the COVID-19 lock down, teaching and learning via radio became the alternative for some State Governments in Nigeria for Public Primary and Secondary Schools which have predominantly children of the low income category. The Private Schools on the other hand opted for zoom, Cisco WebEx, Google etcetera. But fundamentally, on the radio teaching and learning was very effective.
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Computer-mediated communication is unique in a sense that it quickens or fasten mode of communication and learning; with a touch or with a tap of a button we can share insight and collaborate with people all over the World.
The application of digital technology and internet, alternately widening access to cost-efficient learning especially for geographically remote students in the interior and on outer islands where mode of transportation is a disadvantage
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2.Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication are two types of communication tools used in Open, Distance and Flexible Learning.
Synchronous communication might be a Video Conference, a Live Chat or a Phone Call.
It happens in real-time and in-the- moment. It happens Live.
It is faster, more dynamic and it is great for active participants.
Asynchronous communication might be a Pre-recorded video and Audio Message or an e-mail.
It can happens over a longer period of time.
In Asynchronous communication there is no need to schedule which means you can go with your own pace with no disruptions.
It works well when internet connection is disrupted and unstable or when participants are in different time zone. -
By designing Online courses around the Community of Inquiry (COI) Frame Work. This will create interaction between teachers and students and create meaningful and engaging learning environment.
Thank You.
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@mackiwg Just popped in to see how #CS4ODL is going. Wow! It’s amazing to see this level of online activity from educators in the Pacific.
Kia ora Wayne - Many thanks for dropping in, always a pleasure to hear from you! I’m also thrilled to see the course engagement; it’s so fun sailing through diverse experiences and perspectives on teaching and learning in the Pacific, as we all aspire to achieve the same goal - student success. And, I must say, what a passionate bunch we have. 
Dear @mackiwg, @Gurgur & @Dipshikamudaliar_22:
Thank you very much for sharing your experience and views on learning and teaching through the radio!
By the way, I am not sure who invented radio communication!! Anyone??
Good morning Dr. @DeepakPrasad (It is morning 8:30am here in Nigeria).
A quick search through Wikipedia shows that, the historical development of Radio Communication dates back to a period excerpts:
"This scientific work preceded Guglielmo Marconi’s use of radio waves in a wireless communication system.
A French ship-to-shore radio station in 1904
The idea that the wires needed for electrical telegraph could be eliminated, creating a wireless telegraph, had been around for a while before the establishment of radio-based communication. Inventors attempted to build systems based on electric conduction, electromagnetic induction, or on other theoretical ideas. Several inventors/experimenters came across the phenomenon of radio waves before its existence was proven; it was written off as electromagnetic induction at the time.
The discovery of electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, by Heinrich Rudolf Hertz in the 1880s came after theoretical development on the connection between electricity and magnetism that started in the early 1800s. This work culminated in a theory of electromagnetic radiation developed by James Clerk Maxwell by 1873, which Hertz demonstrated experimentally. Hertz considered electromagnetic waves to be of little practical value. Other experimenters, such as Oliver Lodge and Jagadish Chandra Bose, explored the physical properties of electromagnetic waves, and they developed electric devices and methods to improve the transmission and detection of electromagnetic waves. But they did not apparently see the value in developing a communication system based on electromagnetic waves.
In the mid 1890s, building on techniques physicists were using to study electromagnetic waves, Guglielmo Marconi developed the first apparatus for long distance radio communication.[1] On 23 December 1900, the Canadian inventor Reginald A. Fessenden became the first person to send audio (wireless telephony) by means of electromagnetic waves, successfully transmitting over a distance of about a mile (1.6 kilometers), and six years later on Christmas Eve 1906 he became the first person to make a public wireless broadcast.[2][3]
By 1910, these various wireless systems had come to be called “radio”."
Flowing from op cit, it is suspect that the historical development of Radio reached a fundamental point by 1910 following the successful experiment by Reginald A. Fessenden in 1906.
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In person and computer-mediated communications have their similarities and differences. The core course content and expected outcomes remain quite similar irrespective of the course delivery mode. Computer mediated communications does have a number of unique properties. The major change in my view is the absence of physical presence in the same location at the same time. This poses both opportunities and challenges the need to be overcome. Challenges include the absence of visual cues such as non-verbal communication aspects including body language that helps the instructor to gauge student interest and understanding and steer/adjust the class delivery accordingly. With online mode, these cues can be drawn through student engagements which can be in the form of questions and simple/quick student activities during class delivery. Maintaining student interest and engagement is a greater challenge with computer-mediated communication, however this mode of communication does have opportunities and advantages. Questions, activities and communication can easily be both synchronous and asynchronous.
For my course delivery, I divide my course activities on weekly basis. At the beginning of each week, there is a synchronous class where the instructor goes through a lecture and discusses the expected activities of the week with the students. Students engage in real time by asking questions and seeking clarifications. Asynchronous activities during the week include, quizzes, assignments, forums, readings and online activities. Towards the end of the week, another synchronous class is held where instructor and students discuss any difficulties faced and provide assistance to those students lagging behind. During the whole week teaching presence is maintained through synchronous classes. Instructor also keep engaged with students by providing consistent and timely feedback on students activities and assessments. Instructor also engages in online activities such as forums to maintain teaching presence.
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Dear Asenaca,
Thank you for a through provoking post. Computer mediated communication does require an initial set-up that may not be possible for all students from different locations. In contrast, in-person communication just requires students to show-up at a physical location. Two major challenges I have faced for my online course delivery is maintaining student interest throughout the course and network/equipment issues of students.
With thanks
Swastika Roshni
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Dear Danial, Thank you for your post. From the instructor point of view, I can see the cost of course delivery being lower as most resources used are digital in nature as opposed to in-person course delivery. On the other hand from a students perspective, the cost of taking an online course requires an initial cost of set-up which may be substantial for those under economically constraining backgrounds. However, in the long-term students do save costs on travelling, printed material, attire among others.
With thanks
Swastika Roshni
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Computer mediated communication refers to any manner of communication that is done through an electronic medium. Computer medium communication is unique from teaching perspective because it displace dependence. we can communicate anywhere, and anytime. we do not have to choose special time for communication. for example, last year when teachers were teaching from home, they were using various online platforms to teach students. when teachers want to give message to students, they send message through viber or post it on moodle any time convenient to them.
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Synchronous activity
- i would integrate group collaboration activities. these group collaboration activities will help learners to benefit from the experience of their peers… i would also include visual presentation and after presentation i will make the presentation available online.
asynchronous activity
- i would create online forums. it will encourage group collaboration. I would also upload prerecorded video lectures to keep students engage in the class.
- I will set clear expectations with students, set clear due dates. I will also use audio and video recordings to maintain my teaching presence throughout the class.
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Hi
I agree with your ideas discussed in this forum. You have choose interesting and effective teaching strategies to maintain teaching presence in the course.
Computer Mediated communication is unique from teaching perspective because students with different background can be easily communicated with at a faster phase. This platform offers easy and useful methods of discussion, for students topic of interest while being engaged, away from teacher centered classrooms in certain instances.
Implementing learning activities in both synchronous and asynchronous environment needs a balance such as:-
creating a social group - where students are given an opportunity to share information, however rules to be laid down
create news forum
discussion board
audio/video clips
links for related information
For Synchronous Activities
brain storming in small groups
games and fun activities
Q & A sessions
Strategies to be maintained are:-
ensure student at the center of discussion topics
support students technological demands
be flexible
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Computers makes learning more effective and efficient between teachers and students especially during this lockdown. Zoom classes are available and flexible, however the internet connection should be available too.
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Computer-mediated communications is unique from teaching perspective because its a shift away from the ‘chalk and talk’ teaching and learning pedagogy. As we are all in the ‘techno-era’, especially when our learners are spending more time with gadgets. computer mediated communications will keep them focused and learning will be meaningful to them.
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Synchronous environments are easy to implement learning activities as one will be with the learners. Grouping them, providing activity and students working and presenting are a few. In Asynchronous environment activities are developed and presented however the feedback are provided later. Even the learners have the freedom to attempt the activity at their own time, this will end up having a delayed feedback. Implementing learning activities will require creative ideology however, efficient and effective feedback is key in ensuring quality learning taking place.
3.To maintain the teaching presence throughout the course, needs effective planning. It would include interactive process. The learners and the presenter to have opportunities to interact. This will ensure meaningful learning.
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I agree.
Connectivity is a big issue. Apart from that the cost of connectivity needs to be reduced too.
Well mentioned.
Students need environments in which they are usually in. The computer mediated communication is really relevant to the students in this era
As a parent, educator and learner in this digital age, I think it is in our best interest to keep up with the times. The world has become a smaller place and much more accessible due to the ever upgrading digital world. It seems reasonable therefore that teaching modalities/techniques adapt to what is available, relevant, affordable and accessible.
With regards to implementing CMC techniques in my teaching, pre recorded voice over PowerPoint presentations would be made available at the beginning of the course along with references so that the learners could access them at their own pace. Scheduled tutorials would be held on a weekly basis where the topic of the pre recorded presentation would be discussed in an online classroom. This session would be facilitated by me and recorded. The recording would then be posted in the same site so that learners have the option to access these for revision or if they were unable to attend the live faculty-led tutorial.
I think it’s important to maintain a teaching presence throughout my course. I see it as an ethical obligation. My only experience has been with small group learning (average 24). Engaging with my learners lends credibility to the subject matter and my clinical experience helps to make the clinical scenario more practical and relevant, I think. Obtaining anonymous feedback from my learners helps to inform if teaching has been effective. It is one thing to teach, but it is vital to check if the matter taught has been learnt. Assessments can inform about this, but learner feedback is valuable.
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Your comments about reducing use of paper resonates with me Diptesh. Pre-Covid when I was learning to trust my devices more and more, it was so convenient traveling with a laptop instead of textbooks and heavy files.
@sisiliatabutoa agree with your comment about geographic isolation and access. Thanks to computer-mediated communications in academia, we are able to reach more learners in their home islands and so they can still live and work among their families and still pursue further education.
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