ERIC Number: EJ1029273
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Dec
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0146-3934
EISSN: N/A
Reviving a Digital Dinosaur: Text-Only Synchronous Online Chats and Peer Tutoring in Communication Centers
Schwartzman, Roy
College Student Journal, v47 n4 p653-667 Dec 2013
A qualitative and quantitative content analysis was conducted of all text-based synchronous online chats at an oral communication peer tutoring center throughout a semester. As a comparative benchmark, chats at the same university's main library were analyzed over the same time period. The library's chats were much more heavily weighted toward task-oriented research questions. The communication center chats served almost entirely as a portal for making appointments. Suggestions are offered for more robust incorporation of chats to diagnose a center's operational issues, improve outreach, triage student needs, build a sense of personal connection, and reduce attrition.
Descriptors: Synchronous Communication, Content Analysis, Qualitative Research, Statistical Analysis, Comparative Analysis, Peer Teaching, Tutoring, College Libraries, Information Centers, Distance Education, Computer Mediated Communication, Mentors, Communication Skills, Universities, Scheduling, Feedback (Response), School Holding Power, Time to Degree, Satisfaction
Project Innovation, Inc. P.O. Box 8508 Spring Hill Station, Mobile, AL 36689-0508. Tel: 251-343-1878; Fax: 251-343-1878; Web site: http://www.projectinnovation.biz/csj.html
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A