I read what Kristin Kipp had to say about synchronous sessions in her blog. She mentions that most students cannot attend or choose not to attend the synchronous sessions, therefore, she does not make attendance a requirement. She has learned from experience that the synchronous sessions are more successful when it is mini-lesson focused on one concept instead of a review of that week's assignments and lessons.
As a teacher who has no experience in teaching in a virtual classroom I think the synchronous sessions will be an opportunity for human interaction among the students and with the teacher. The session will happen in real time allowing students to ask questions and the teacher to provide instant feedback or clarification on a topic. The teacher can demonstrate more examples in a live session that were not previously posted in the course work.
As a teacher who has no experience in teaching in a virtual classroom I think the synchronous sessions will be an opportunity for human interaction among the students and with the teacher. The session will happen in real time allowing students to ask questions and the teacher to provide instant feedback or clarification on a topic. The teacher can demonstrate more examples in a live session that were not previously posted in the course work.