NowComment Online Discussion

Face-to-Face Discussion

General Differences

A lot of information is shared (text and pictures are visual, “high bandwidth”).

Relatively little information shared (speech is low bandwidth).

Multiple simultaneous conversations; students can comment on whatever they find interesting (including tangential observations) without interrupting other conversations.

There's only one conversation, which won't always touch on what a given student finds most interesting. Tangents can derail the current conversation.

No need to split attention for notes; full discussion transcript remains accessible for student review and teacher evaluation.

Students and Instructors must juggle listening and note-taking; retention is constrained by imperfect memory and note-taking ability.

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 don’t bring).

Online discussion is a fresh format that leverages students' comfort, facility, and enjoyment of online and social media.

A familiar but not exciting format.

Overcomes Time Constraints

Opportunity to make as many comments (subject to Instructor’s limits) as each person thinks is important, because making com­ments doesn't take time away from others.

Only time for a few comments; some students get no turn to speak, many don't get to ex­press thoughts they feel are important.

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.

NowComment Online Discussion

Face-to-Face Discussion

Comfortable Online Social Context

Students can take time to think through and fully express their thoughts; no one is ever interrupted.

A few extroverts can dominate the conversation, sometimes interrupting others; other students have to speak up quickly or risk losing their turn, even if their ideas aren't fully formed. Shy students rarely participate.

Students can intellectually engage with each other to explore in depth (i.e. multiple back-and-forths) similar or divergent perspectives, related ideas, interesting implications.

Few chances to talk through differing perspectives, rarely able to ask follow-up questions or pose challenges.

Writing is done in private, often from home or other “safe” environment. Students can respond to whichever comments they choose.

Relatively high social pressure (all eyes on the speaker). The instructor and/or each student's verbal assertive­ness determine who gets to respond to which comments.

New Technology, New Options

With NowComment you can choose to hide a document's comments until a certain date and time, to minimize peer influence/pressure.

Inescapable influence or pressure of previously voiced comments in class discussions.

Sort and tag comments, skim summaries, reply privately, include videos and images.

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