For the past couple of semesters, I have made myself available online for students who also happen to be niteowls. During these IM Chats, I often find that I'm able to connect with students who are reluctant to speak out in class and I've found these jam sessions to be productive. Whether the students feel the same way, I'm not sure. Here's a sample from one of tonight's conversations.

[02:05] Student: Hello, Rich
[02:05] Student: I have asked you about online tonight
[02:05] Student: when you're online
[02:05] Student:
[02:05] Student: are you there, Rich?
[02:05] Student: cause I'm waiting for you now
[02:06] RST: what's your question again?
[02:06] Student: oh
[02:06] Student: I want to tell you about my idea
[02:07] Student: you said that it must concern about what we has studied
[02:07] RST: yes...
[02:07] Student: Let I tell you
[02:08] Student: my idea about observation of human
[02:08] Student: when some one doing something
[02:08] Student: depend on what you perceive
[02:08] Student: you will say that right or wrong
[02:09] Student: nothing is absolutely
[02:09] Student: this is my idea
[02:09] RST: but what does it have to do with what we studied in class? which topic?
[02:10] Student: idealism
[02:10] RST: i'm not clear on this...
[02:10] Student: can you explain clearly?
[02:11] RST: you are talking about relativism.
[02:11] RST: but some things ARE absolutely.
[02:12] RST: for example. if i go kill a random person on the street, and i'm convicted of a crime, i then say, that i don't believe killing people is wrong, who is right?
[02:13] RST: i may perceive things differently. does that make it right? i could say i blacks, homosexuals or vietnamese are less human than others.
[02:13] RST: does that make my opinion make it right?
[02:13] Student: i mean whatever you say
[02:14] Student: you believe in yourself
[02:14] Student: so don't have the right or wrong absolutely
[02:14] RST: this is logically what we refer to as a fallacy.
[02:14] Student: like
[02:14] RST: it is a error in logic.
[02:14] Student: you help the person
[02:15] RST: that statement is wrong.
[02:15] RST: you are making the statement: Everything is relative.
[02:15] RST: think of that statement.
[02:16] RST: if i say that everything is relative; by saying EVERYTHING, it implies an absolute statement.
[02:17] RST: however, in this "ABSOLUTE statement", I am saying something is relative (which is not absolute). Therefore, it is a statement that does not make sense.
[02:17] RST: This is the logic.
[02:17] RST: But if you want to talk about absolutes, i want you to seriously think about it.
[02:18] Student: ok
[02:18] Student: after chatting with you
[02:18] RST: i know that's really confusing.. but i'm trying to push you (and give you a headache).
[02:19] Student: yes, it is
[02:19] Student: what about my first idea?
[02:19] RST: the point is.. i think you need to go through the course reader, or your notes and refresh yourself with all the topics we discussed this semester.
[02:19] RST: and see if anything touches you.
[02:20] RST: you are still too general right now for me to accept your proposal as being related to class material/content.
[02:20] RST: you are a good student. i'm trying to make you better.
[02:21] Student: I know
[02:21] Student: what about my first idea?
[02:21] RST: email me your idea that relates to a topic tomorrow.
[02:21] RST: i will reply then.
[02:22] RST: i still believe you are not using your mind and creativity enough.
[02:22] RST: you are smart. so i want to see smart work.
[02:23] RST: plus, this is a university level course. i intend to give you a university level education...as best that i can.
[02:24] RST: go back to BlackBoard. look at the proposal sample. read how the sample student describes their project.
[02:24] RST: that will give you an idea on the standard i am looking for.
[02:24] Student: ok
[02:24] Student: thank you
[02:25] RST: the better your concept, the better you will score.. (and then you won't have to see me anymore!)
[02:25] Student: I hope so