Abstract

The notion of synchronous office hours in an asynchronous course seems counterintuitive. After all, one of the tenets of asynchronous education is to not require students to be online and participating at any time during the course. Having taught higher education online asynchronous courses for twenty years, the researcher experimented with online synchronous office hours as a means of making a connection with her online doctoral students. This paper outlines the challenges, benefits and best practices of incorporating a synchronous element into an otherwise purely asynchronous environment. Additionally, it offers strategies to enhance communication between students and the professor, as well as developing a community of learners in the asynchronous classroom.

Citation

Gibbons-Kunka, B. (2017). Synchronous Office Hours in an Asynchronous Course: Making the Connection. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 13(4), 98-110. IGI Global. Retrieved August 8, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/185665/.

Keywords

• asynchronous
• distance education
• synchronous
• Virtual Office Hours