Electronic Communication

What are the benefits to conducting a threaded discussion

                       Or 

                          e-mail discussion

                      Or 

                           

                         live chat discussion?

Threaded discussions are virtual conversations in a particular forum with a "thread" or topic that will weave it's way through a conversation within a selected group, such as a class. The teacher is most likely the initiator or author of the threaded discussion.  Everyone participating in the discussion can see who is communicating and can respond to them and read the responses of others in the discussion.  Often it leads to offshoots of similar topics, but the thread is still embedded in the flow of conversation.  "A (threaded) Discussion Forum gives you an opportunity to participate in virtual conversations at any time and any location" (Canvas website, community.canvaslms.com).  A threaded discussion usually lasts longer than a focused discussion because the focused discussion only allows for a question and reply.  

I believe that a threaded discussion would be an excellent way to connect with my students daily, especially if we were participating in online learning.  A teacher can introduce a topic and open the discussion to questions, comments and suggestions from the students.  A teacher would want to assess what, if any, prior knowledge the class has before jumping into a new unit.  I like the concept of having a forum where we can discuss a topic without the common distractions and interruptions of being in a typical classroom.  I also believe that threaded discussions will give students who don't speak in class out of shyness or anxiety, a place to feel safe and acknowledged.  When a student feels heard without instant ridicule, they are more likely going to contribute their voice; which will in turn, will raise their self confidence.  A threaded discussion can open up the students to listen and learn from others, without having to constantly ask for direction from the teacher.  If there is a question, the student could just scroll up and read through to see if the question has already been addressed.  

E-mail discussions are an easy way for a group of people with something in common (Cub Scout den, work, gardening group, camper's club....) can all meet through e-mails.  The leader gathers all emails of the participants and sends out one email that everyone receives and then can respond to.  An email discussion is the easiest way for people to meet on the same level, almost everyone has an email address by now.  You don't even need a computer, a smart phone can facilitate an email discussion as well.  According to the website, Listserve Cowboy (blog.mail-list.com), these are the advantages to email discussion groups:  they are private, they're achievable (everyone should have an email), they're "forwordable" information can be passed on easily, they're unforgettable, no need to visit or login, it's all right there to review,  and they're already a habit, which means, checking email is typically one of the first things a person does when they start their day.

I have been a part of several email discussion groups.  It is very helpful when you need to spread information quickly to a particular group of people.  Teachers use email lists for parents all the time when they need to remind or inform the class.  Older students might get in email discussion groups in their classes with the teacher as the leader.  I have to say, even though email discussions are easy, they are not fun.  Sometimes you will forget and click "reply" instead of "reply all" and now you just left someone in the dark, got to start over again with a forward.  Sometimes people get stuck on an email group when they no longer want to be there and don't want to be rude and yell, TAKE ME OUT OF THIS DISCUSSION.  New people need to be added all the time as well.  I would definitely say the threaded discussion is much better in terms of a smoother flow of information.  If you are in a school or work environment and have the proper app such as Canvas, I would use that instead of the email groups.  It's time to transition into a better way to communicate.  Between threaded discussions and email discussions, I would caution against using both.  Sticking to one method of communication is easier for everyone in the long run, even though it will take some commitment, otherwise you can set your class up for confusion.  

Live Chat discussions are different from threaded discussions and email discussion groups because they introduce real time visual and auditory communication.  In live chat you see who you are talking to and you even get to see yourself talking to them!  In these discussion groups you can all talk at once in a flowing conversation but, there is a time lag (latency) between one person's question and the other's answer.  Participants also have the option of muting their microphone and turning off their camera during a discussion.  Teachers can give a live chat lecture in online school while the students are there and answering and asking questions through a live post.  The teacher can see and answer questions in their own time.  Live chats can be recorded, so like in the email and threaded discussions, you can go back to listen to something you might have missed.    

I have had the opportunity (thank you COVID) to have several live chat discussions in the past seven months.  It started with Sunday family chats with my in-laws (my husband's parents/siblings/nieces and our children).  I am getting better at being patient with the time lag and dealing with the lack of flow we would normally have if we were speaking in the same room.  I would rather be with them and awkward than not seeing them at all.  It's funny, we all want to talk at once and we can hear anything or we all want to let the other have a chance to speak, and that creates weird long silences.  I am a Boy Scout merit badge counselor and recently (thank you COVID) many scouts have had the free time to complete lots of merit badges.  These live chats consist of me and a young adult I have never met, and his/her parent.  I consider this very close to teaching as I am going to get until I return to substitute teaching.  These live chat meetings have gone very well, and not because I was amazing, it's the kids who are so savvy that they made me feel more comfortable. I am in awe of my own children and the way they have adapted to online learning and the live chats in their classrooms.  Not only have they been mastering the art of live chatting, they have become used to the new routine.  They want to return to the classroom, as do most students, but it is refreshing to see how well they have adjusted during this pandemic.  Finally, the live chat discussion we had in our Integrating Technology in Education class recently was really fun.  I think we were all a little nervous in the beginning but we got down to business and discussed the topic we were assigned.  I think live chat discussions are just as effective as threaded discussions, but each has their own place and time.  Live chat is more important when visual human interaction is needed in the conversation.  Being live shows the emotions and subtle unspoken language that we all speak subconsciously.  Looking at others as we are speaking provides information about tone and intention.  Email discussions miss these important aspects of language, and sometimes the message is misinterpreted.   Threaded discussions are somewhere in between in my opinion, they convey the facts and information as well as email discussions, but go further in details which can be built upon with some emotion when a threaded discussion is conducted.  Live chat discussions give you the best of both, with the drawbacks of time lag and awkwardness, but both dissipate with time.