Top Ten Educational Advantages of NowComment online discussion
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Top Ten Educational Advantages of Online Discussion
Fall 2011
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NowComment® Online Discussion |
Face-to-Face Discussion |
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General Differences |
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A lot of information is shared (text and pictures are high bandwidth visual information). |
Relatively little information shared (speech is low bandwidth).
Nov 16
Fredric Stein
Fredric Stein
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No opportunity to reflect and modify one's comment before releasing it.
Nov 16
This could be a good supplement to moodle. |
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Multiple simultaneous conversations; students can comment at any time on whatever they find interesting (including tangential observations) without interrupting other conversations
Nov 16
mr. pranav garg
mr. pranav garg
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Weird first time users should be helped with tips of how to make comment otherwise it would be difficult for them to figure out how they can be productive.
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There's only one conversation, which may not give some students a good opening to turn the conversation to their topic. Tangents can derail the current conversation. |
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No need to split attention; full discussion transcript remains accessible for student review and teacher evaluation.
Nov 16
Students may be more likely to make “thinking out loud”-type comments in a face-to-face discussion, precisely because there will not be a full transcript available later. This may constitute an advantage over NowComment. 
Nov 16
Being able to respond in a face-to-face setting is definitely a benefit. I think have a transcript and being able to make specific comments on it could also be useful, though! |
Students and teachers must juggle listening and note-taking; retention is constrained by imperfect memory and note-taking ability.
Nov 16
Yes, let the infinite internet take your notes.
Nov 16
We think this tool should be presented as a supplement to face to face discussion rather than a replacement |
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One upload gives the class ongoing access to both the document and discussion transcript. |
Time and expense of distributing paper copies (which students often lose or forget to bring). |
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Overcome Time Constraints |
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Opportunity to make as many comments as each person thinks is important, because making comments doesn't take time away from others.
Nov 16
How do we make sure we are maintaining quality comments as the amount of comments grow?
Comment Deleted
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This comment was deleted by Megha A at Nov 16 2011 12:53PM. 
Nov 16
Very subjective, is there a moderator function? Does this take the democracy out of the tool?
Nov 16
We need some kind of moderator on this document!
Nov 16
Democracy is overrated
Nov 16
Yes, democracy comes with harsh consequences:)
Nov 16
Makes comments richer! Can be used both for both in-class & out of class discussion! Perhaps inspires more lively debate as opposed to a forum. |
Only time for a few comments; some people get no turn to speak, many don't get to express all the thoughts they feel are important. |
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Opportunity for more developed, detailed, and nuanced comments; long comments don't take time away from others. |
There's usually no time to fully communicate complex ideas, explore tangential themes, etc.
I am a Magazine Journalism major from Kent State University. … (more)
Apr 11
Ryan Friend
I am a Magazine Journalism major from Kent State University. … (more) Typing out a response allows users the ability to see what they are saying while analyzing word choice and purpose of their argument. |
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New Technology, New Options |
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Option to hide viewing of comments until a certain date/time lets students comment with minimal peer pressure/influence.
Nov 16
This can be helpful. Teachers can prepare comments in advance and choose to reveal them at the right time according to their lesson plans, or even change them before publishing based on students’ progress. 
Nov 16
I like the idea of this feature in very controversial documents. When you take a topic like Abortion, dissenting opinions might not get shared without such a feature. |
Inescapable influence or pressure of previously voiced comments in class discussions. |
Top Ten Educational Advantages of Online Discussion
Fall 2011
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NowComment Online Discussion |
Face-to-Face Discussion |
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Comfortable Online Social Context |
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Writing is done in private (often from home or other safe environment). Students get to choose which comments to respond to and which students to engage with. Online discussion is a fresh format that leverages students' comfort, facility, and enjoyment of online and social media. |
Very formal, high social pressure (public speaking, all eyes on the speaker). Whose comments a student gets to respond to are determined by whom the Teacher calls on or whose hand is raised first. A familiar but not exciting format.
No paragraph-level conversations.
Start one.
Nov 16
Which is an essential social skill! We must teach our students public speaking. 
Nov 16
Mar 12
Absolutely, it is a social skill. And we must assure students that it is okay to express opinions openly, in public, and that it is all right if not everyone agrees with each other. |
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Students can take time to think through and fully express their thoughts; no one is ever interrupted. |
A few highly verbal extroverts often dominate the conversation (and sometimes interrupt others); students have to speak up quickly or risk losing their turn, even if their ideas aren't fully formed. Shy students habitually don't participate.
Nov 16
I agree— online discussions are a great outlet for students who generally don’t participate in class discussions.
Nov 16
but what about scaffolding for actual public speaking?
Nov 16
Whats the difference between circle comment and rectangle comment? 
Nov 16
Circles are comments on sentences and Rectangles are comments on paragraphs, according to what was said earlier..I think |
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Students can intellectually engage with each other to explore in depth (e.g. multiple back-and-forths) similar or divergent perspectives, related ideas, interesting implications. |
Few chances to talk through varying perspectives, rarely able to ask follow-up questions or pose challenges, etc. |
Note: Online discussion nicely complements face-to-face discussion, lectures, and other traditional methods:
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leverage online comments to energize face-to-face discussion
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use online discussion to reinforce concepts after a presentation
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request online comments to see what people understand before giving a presentation
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review discussion transcripts to identify research projects, writing projects, group assignments, etc.
Please visit our educational applications page for helpful links and sample uses:
For more information about NowComment please contact: [email protected]
General Document Comments 0
I am a Magazine Journalism major from Kent State University. … (more)
I am a Magazine Journalism major from Kent State University. … (more)
When conflicting viewpoints are discussed in person, sometimes the opposing view intimidates their opponent with their manors. Reading a person’s response allows for a more meaningful conversation that is absent from threatening stares.
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