EdTech 523: Final Discussion

Discussion Post Directions: Each is a TV show that is a subgroup for the discussion forum. Click on the provided link of your choice and post why you feel that synchronous online learning is like that TV show, using examples from the readings and prior learning.

My Contribution: I, too, believe that Synchronous Learning is a lot like the show The Voice, and for many similar reasons that have already been expressed. The element of coaching is a hallmark of this program. Each coach's team is made up of a diverse group of singers. This is similar to the diverse learning styles and interests in an online class. The coaches, professional (and famous) singers themselves, start with high expectations for their "students" and guide them throughout the season to be the best performers they can be. This is similar to the synchronous instructor. "Instruction encompasses any of the kinds of learning that happen when faculty members, knowledge experts, or facilitators meet with learners, usually in a planned manner in a specific online venue, to guide them through the achievement of learning objectives (Finkelstein, 2006, p. 3). On the Voice, as in the synchronous online classroom, coaches make suggestions and offer additional resources (e.g. famous fellow celebrity singers) to help the contestants/students improve their craft. "Support is a crucial element for retaining and motivating learners, whether it is provided by just-in-time assistance from a peer, instructor, tutor, advisor, or librarian (Finkelstein, p. 4). Feedback is prompt and bi-directional. 

Another important similarity is the process of blind auditions where the would-be coaches are listening to the singers without the benefit of face-to-face communication. This is similar to synchronous learning in that the teacher does not have physical presence with her students. Being a good listener is of utmost importance. Likewise, for the student, expressing oneself clearly and impressively is of paramount importance; it is all a teacher and classmates have to "go by". Developing communication skills that don't rely on body language, eye contact, real-time discussion, etc. is similar to the Voice contestants who are performing with only the quality of their sound to represent themselves. The coaches (like the online instructors) are assessing the singer/students' demonstration of "real-time skills and analytical thinking" (Finkelstein, p. 6) in every performance. 

During The Voice season, there are various "rounds" that involve both competition (knock-out rounds) as well as team-work (duets). This is similar to the kinds of activities that might be incorporated into a synchronous learning class. (However, this would typically err more on the side of cooperation and collaboration!) Each week is a new song, a new task, a new performance. The class, like the show, is dynamic and always looking to stretch the singer/learner's "range" or style. In both cases the audience is real (TV audience and Web 2.0) and exists in real-time. "Real-time learning environments invite active learning" (Finkelstein, p. 22). In The Voice as in good synchronous classrooms, activities are meaningful and grounded in real-life tasks. "The presence of a live instructor, combined with the use of the human voice and a rich set of facilitation and collaboration possibilities, opens up a new world... (Finkelstein, p. 7).