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Virtually There: Distant Freshmen Blended in Classes through Synchronous Online Education

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Abstract

Synchronous online education occurs when the students and faculty member are in different locations geographically and interaction occurs simultaneously through the internet at scheduled times. In this study I investigated the phenomenon of using synchronous online classes blended with a face-to-face classroom to complete the freshman year of college. The essence of the experience emerged around the concept of ambiguity, specifically in regard to group membership, functionality of technology, and place. This understanding of ambiguity provides a framework upon which to design practices for engaging such distance students and best promoting their learning.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Education Programs, Fort Hays State University, 600 Park Street; Rarick Hall 232, Hays, KS, 67601, USA

    Phillip A. Olt

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  1. Phillip A. Olt
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Correspondence to Phillip A. Olt.

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Olt, P.A. Virtually There: Distant Freshmen Blended in Classes through Synchronous Online Education. Innov High Educ 43, 381–395 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-018-9437-z

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