Adobe Connect videoconferencing software was used in an online course to minimize distance between instructor and student. Students were required to attend two virtual meetings with the instructor. Data was collected from a student survey conducted near the conclusion of the course.
Office hours are important for student learning and many faculty members resort to face-to-face meetings, which sometimes prove to be difficult, and given incongruous instructor-student schedules, separation of instructor and student presents a challenge. It is possible to offer assistance to students effectively and minimize transactional distance between the instructor and student in asynchronous settings across distance by utilizing videoconferencing software. Videoconferencing is an effective method for integrating face-to-face interaction in online courses and meetings can range from full class participation to one on one meetings. Adobe Connect software was used in an online college success course to conduct virtual office hours and to provide weekly introductions to the topics covered and required assignments. It is a Flash-based virtual meeting room that allows you to connect with multiple participants to share audio, video, applications and chat. While students were required to attend two virtual meetings with the instructor, they were encouraged to request meetings as often as needed. In addition, some students requested the use of the virtual meeting room for group work. The videoconferencing software permitted interaction using video and audio and allowed the instructors to review assignments, give feedback, and communicate expectations. The desktop and a whiteboard can be shared in order to provide further clarification and collaboration. The use of the videoconferencing software permits inviting subject experts to lecture on various topics. In addition, a synchronous session in library research was held via Adobe Connect to prepare students for a research assignment. Those who could not attend were required to watch a recording and complete a quiz. At the end of the course, a survey was sent to students to ascertain their level of satisfaction with virtual office hours. Student performance was also analyzed to determine what impact, if any, the virtual office hours had on their grades. Early results for assessment indicate that this is an effective means of maintaining an interactive classroom and providing personalized learning.