Online Chat: Real Interaction in a Virtual Environment?

Proposal for a Session at the June, 1998 OBTC

John D. Bigelow

Professor, Boise State University

1910 University Drive

Boise, ID 83725

(208) 385-1267

(208) 385-1857

rmgbigel@cobfac.boisestate.edu

 

Abstract

Perhaps the most basic characteristic of a classroom is face-to-face interaction, involving students and instructor. Interaction is especially important to OB teachers, since it is both a medium and a learning topic. Online chat provides an alternative to classroom interaction. In comparison to face-to-face interaction this mode has distinct disadvantages, but distinct advantages as well.

This session, conducted in both face-to-face and chat modes, introduces participants to a chat environment, and invites shared thinking on this question: Given the pros and cons of chat interaction, to what extent can it be used as a basis for interactions thought vital to OB classroom learning? A handout will be provided to participants interested in further exploration of chat use in learning.

 

Online Chat: Real Interaction in a Virtual Environment?

Description of the Session

Purpose

The purpose of the session is threefold: (1) to introduce a chat environment and the kinds of interactions possible in it, (2) to stimulate some shared thinking about the adequacy of a chat environment as a place where "real" interactions can take place, and (3) to provide information which is helpful to participants interested in further exploration of chat use in learning.

 
Activities Timetable

(minutes)
1. We convene in a computer lab (the session facilitator will need to check prior to the session that the computers to be used are chat-enabled). 10
2. The facilitator overviews the session design, and distributes a handout providing information about participating in a chat session. This includes starting a browser, accessing a chat address, going to rooms, and carrying out basic chat functions. This activity will be done face-to-face, before moving to a virtual chat mode. 10
3. We move to a virtual chat mode, by pointing our web browsers to http://biz.boisestate.edu:4080/chat/*index* and logging in. The facilitator will check to make sure all have done this successfully. While waiting for others to join, participants can study the handout, and explore the chat environment; e.g., explore rooms and links. A remote chat expert from ichat will join us for this and the next two steps. 10
4. We disperse to chat rooms and carry out a warm-up exercise of a type that face-to-face teams might use. 20
5. We then move to a discussion room (participants can only ask questions in this room) for a short question and answer session. 15
6. We move back to face-to-face mode and think about the experience:

· How would you characterize the quality of communication in the virtual chat environment?

· What were the drawbacks of this environment?

· What are the possibilities/opportunities for OB learning via chat?

If possible we will conduct this discussion in a circled-chairs setting.

 24
7. At session’s conclusion, the facilitator makes available a handout, which provides further information on chat rooms, chat room functions, and additional sources of information. 1

 

How activities will fulfill purpose
Purpose Activity
(1) to introduce a chat environment and the kinds of interactions possible in it This is accomplished in activities 1-5. This is challenging to do, given the cold startup, but should allow participants to get a sense of what a chat environment is, some of the things which can be done in it, and what it’s like to chat with others.
(2) to stimulate some shared thinking about the adequacy of a chat environment as a place where "real" interactions can take place This is accomplished in activity 6. It is in a face-to-face mode, so as to both move participants back to a more familiar interaction environment, and to invite comparisons by placing virtual and face-to-face experiences side by side.
(3) to provide information possibly helpful to participants interested in further exploration of chat use in learning This is accomplished in activity 7. I expect also to linger (face-to-face), to see if any participants want to discuss anything further.

Link to conference theme

The session addresses the "Role of Technology in Teaching and Learning" theme. It is not simply a session on chat, but aims to explore the usefulness and viability of chat technology in OB-related teaching and learning.

 

Planning Details

Audience: University OB instructors and other instructors interested in exploring chat communication as a possible augmentation to learning. Participants should have keyboarding skills, but no other computer knowledge is needed.

Maximum participants: This is equal to the number of computer terminals available, but probably shouldn’t exceed 45.

Type of session desired: 90-minute workshop. To do this in less time would be challenging!

Special requirements: Computer lab with one terminal for each participant. Computers should be connected to the worldwide web and should have reasonably current browsers which can handle frames: either Netscape or Internet Explorer. A plug-in needs to be installed on each computer, which is available (free) for downloading at http://www.ichat.com/download/client.html.*  This might be installed by a lab assistant; otherwise the session facilitator will need about 2 hours in this room before the session to carry out this step.

If possible, a nearby discussion room will be used for the latter part of the discussion. This should be in a circle arrangement, but nothing else is needed. If such a room is not available, this part of the session will be done in the computer room.

* This address has been changed to a new Webboard 3.0 site