Synchronous online training can provide benefits for distance learners by adding social presence and a sense of belonging. Such training overcomes geographical boundaries, provides skills at the right time, and recorded sessions are a valuable resource. However, there are also challenges like technical issues, lack of non-verbal cues, difficulty improvising, and student distractions.

1. Synchronised training for
distance learners
OU Live
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Thomas Boulvin,
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Bernadette Martin

2. Synchronous technologies
• Significantly add to social presence
• Provide ‘human feel’
• Nurture sense of belonging [1]
[1] Kear, K., Chetwynd, F., Williams, J., Donelan, H. (2012) 'Web conferencing for synchronous online tutorials:
Perspectives of tutors using a new medium', Computers and Education, 58 (3) pp. 953-963
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LibTeachMeet 12 June 2014

3. LibTeachMeet 12 June 2014

4. Promotion and delivery
Hosted Advertised Recording
Generic Library VLE Library website No
Targeted Module website Module website Yes
Targeted Generic Library VLE Library website,
but promoted to
students on
specific module
No
LibTeachMeet 12 June 2014

5. Positives
• Overcomes geographical boundaries
• Provides the right skills at the right time
• Recorded sessions a valuable resource for tutors
and students to refer to
• Raises visibility of the library
• Enables collaboration with faculty
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6. Challenges
• Technical issues
• No visual clues (facial expression/body language)
• High attendance can mean less interaction
• Harder to improvise with pre-loaded session plan
• High levels of off topic student chat may need to
be managed
• Distractions in students’ own environments
LibTeachMeet 12 June 2014

7. Thank-you for listening
LibTeachMeet 12 June 2014
Thank-you
Thank you
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Svilen Milev,
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