An online
asynchronous learning environment is often silent. While communication is quiet
it can still be perceived in several ways. Discussion forums, e-mail, even
texting are just a few of the convenient ways for students and facilitators to
communicate asynchronously in the online classroom--anytime and anywhere they
have Internet capabilities. This type of communication however, does pose some
advantages and disadvantages to both the student and the facilitator.
In
an asynchronous online learning platform students and facilitators have
nothing but time on their side. This extra time allows them to edit spelling and grammar prior to posting comments online.
Thus giving students and facilitators the ability to filter their comments and bring
a sense of sophistication to the online classroom. This also gives individuals
more confidence and a greater ease in communicating than if they were in a
synchronous or face-to-face classroom.
Nonetheless,
things are not always good in the asynchronous environment. With the
advantage of thinking through comments provided by students and facilitators they also acquire
the disadvantage of having a rehearsed and unnatural classroom. There are also
the disadvantages of delay in conversations and the lack of ability to control
communication between parties. The delay in response time also can be
confusing. It could lead individuals to believe that their comments are
offensive or unwanted. This could also give students a sense that they are not
a part of the group and make them feel distant. Oftentimes, in an
asynchronous learning environment, the written word is misinterpreted because
of a lack of emotion or a misunderstanding of intent behind the written
words.
Many of these disadvantages can be avoided by
understanding proper netiquette skills. Proper etiquette is often taught to
children from infancy. Using terms such as, please and thank you in verbal
conversation aids a person's ability to achieve the goal he or she wishes to
obtain. The same is true with asynchronous communication. There is certain
speech or online etiquette that a person must follow to be taken seriously and
not have his or her conversation misinterpreted. Using all caps, for example,
tells the reader that the person conveying the message is yelling. Not to
mention, the overuse of dembangers (exclamation points) also conveys yelling or strong feeling. If
an individual is reading posts or comments without participating they are
considered lurking. Also if an individual is posting comments without cause or
proof to provoke a reaction he or she is considered flaming. This type of
online communication is considered inappropriate, poor netiquette, and can lead
to miscommunication and a lack of understanding of the posted message in an
asynchronous learning environment.
References:
Albion. (1990-2011) Netiquette
home page. Retrieved
from http://www.albion.com/netiquette/
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