Typically refer to three kinds of events when we talk about web conferencing – Virtual classroom or live synchronous classroomWebinar or online presentationMeetingsQUESTION - Who is doing any of these three – participants, in your organization, presenting and producing
When live, real-time facilitated instruction with learning-oriented interaction is needed. This environment is for active idea generation, problem solving, and other higher-level application activities; learners are vulnerable at the point of application – real-time interactive context addresses this. We live in social context, so learning within social context is necessary for application - peer interaction enhances the construction of meaning. Different scenario than knowledge dispersal or information dump – In asynchronous learning: knowledge dispersal with learner control over pace, time to reflect, etcIn synchronous learning: high cognitive load when learner can’t control pace and there’s a dump of contentAlso showing up at a scheduled time really isn’t needed in info dump if there’s no interaction – make it count –If you don’t have the interactive components in your live event, why are you having it? Might want to consider another approach (pre-recorded slide presentation, e.g.)
QUESTION – what systems are people using?Often times I’m asked about “the best” system – there’s typically one answer to this question
There are a lot of different web conferencing systems available with different strengths and features – Eluminate, WebEx, Adobe Connect, GoToMeeting, DimDim, etc. There are also other synchronous tools with fewer features that could meet needs. One regularly sees folks asking about what system is best – the answer is always “it depends” – context and needs differ from organization to organization, and you need to think about your own case – what will you use it for, what resources do you have already, what makes sense for you.HANDOUT of features list.
This is a way to think about features when you’re shopping or when you’re going for a blend with different tools
Moore’s three interactions – asynchronous gets at learner-content, but without blended approaches lacks learner-expert and learner-learner interactions – as we know, a LOT of research finds that interaction is essential for learningLearner – Content – the foundation of Western educationLearner – Expert – takes individual learners into account - to clarify, draw analogies, simplify, suggest further readings, etc.Learner – Learner – much educational theory includes the importance of social dimensions of learning – active learning, authentic learning, problem-based learning, communities of practice approaches etc.QUESTION– what are ways to get at the three interactions – don’t always have to be syncLearner-Content approaches – e.g. screencasts, course modules, books, articles, blogs, podcasts, videoLearner-Expert approaches – e.g. discussion boards, email, IM or Skype office hours, web conference, TwitterLearner-Learner approaches – e.g discussion boards, email, web conference, TwitterSo the idea is to think about how, if it’s necessary for what you’re teaching, to get these interactions in
Our case – purchased some WebJunction classes to offer to CO library staff at a distance. Staff reported some of the same challenges and issues as are traditionally reported in the literature – these include…QUESTION – I’m interested to know about scenarios in your libraries where learners have faced similar challenges
To try to support learning and address these challenges, we piloted this approach of using the existing asynchronous content and add two facilitated discussions to add the learner-expert and learner-learner interactive componentsOur case study – allows for segmentation effect – learner pace in asynchronous approach is maintained – learner can take in content at their own pace, allows time for reflection, integration etc – sensitive to human and financial resource issues – used existing content and made it relevant to individual learners with the synch component
Handouts - participant guide, facilitator guideTips to highlight: Clear roles; Importance of producer, of two people to field questions etc.; Welcome exercise (map with whiteboard) to establish rapport – no dead space! ImagesNote on Connect – Flash based so no plugins, movable pods
Tips – importance of showing features that will be used during the session; setting of expectations/ground rules for communication here too – can also put these separately in a slide; note on muting phones
Including photos for community building
Most of the session consisted of slides like this – handwriting font for informality; participants would brainstorm and I scribed; Eileen facilitated
PROMOTE participantsWhiteboard layout in Connect– show three different exercises – grid box, voting, scenarios –Advantages – kinesthetic, visual, participatory, can annotate a lot of different materials
Show poll as well – advantage of reports
You can try it!Other ideas?
Chat layout in Connect– chat brainstorm, have participants respond in chat to someone’s brief presentation, have participants work in pairs through chat private messagingAdvantages of chat – kinesthetic, a lot of feedback in a short time, discussion is captured
Media layout in Connect – audio file or video fileAdvantages - multi-modal approach, adds visual / auditory richness – just what you’d get in the F2F classroom with adding these componentsDisadvantages – bandwidth issues, can’t tell what your participants are experiencing
Note the flexibility in layout
Other free or low cost approaches to synchronous learningSkypeWeb video calling1-to-1 video callsConference calls – no videoIMSend filesScreensharingAbility to add extrasFree for skype-to-skype YugmaAdd desktop, document or application sharingBeta version with integrated audio/videoPro includes whiteboard, recording (~$150 year)Mikogoshare screen contentRemote desktopProvides phone conferencing numbers (not toll-free)Phone charge, otherwise freeYuuGuuScreen/desktop sharing, IM, Skype integrationFree for up to 5 in a session, plus limits on minutes/month; then $10, $15/monthTinyChatIM and video chatroomsFreeDimDimFull conferencing platformFree for 20 attendees and basic meetings/events, more for additional features