Hello, everyone,
it's time to summarise this week for our Anyone There ??? session.
What have we completed so far?
Using Wiki(spaces)we started to write 3 chapters of Trainer’s Guide for Web-conferencing:
- Emergency Checklist
- Spot the Difference (between synchronous and asynchronous)
- Anyone There? (how to engage and embed interactions).
You were asked to subscribe to one or all activities.
Here we go with the weekly recapitulation of things: “You added...”
1. Technological problems - is that all?
Technology sometimes fails. How can we prepare for it? What are the other challenges when using web-conferencing technologies? We are happy to see new people contributing.
You added...bi-lingual sessions and a poor connectivity is challenging, be patient.
Some like that the sessions are bi-lingual because as the information is being translated, it gives you time to contemplate what has been said.(Bernadette)
We have many countries join in that have poor bandwidth and they can benefit greatly from the session, so my response to the question of what do you do if the lead drops out for 5 minutes? It is no big deal, we wait patiently or someone else contributes. (Bernadette)
In the system we use there is a possibility to select an audio codec decreasing the audio quality, but making the session more friendly for users with a slow Internet connection. (Maja)
Your ideas has been slowly inserted in the chapter: Emergency Checklist
2. Technology works - what's next?
What can we do to keep the participants engaged? What you as a participant would keep engaged?
There is always something to add and discuss, but this aspect of web-conferencing got less interest this week.
You added...You will add next week surely. We will ;)
Your ideas has been slowly inserted in the chapter: Anyone There?
3. Technology works – why don’t we use it?
You haven’t changed your mind about our asynchronous format. You have still one week to do it! Next week on Friday we are meeting online at 09.00 UTC, you want it or not...
4. Technology works - when to use it?
When would you suggest to run a virtual classroom?
You added...when it can balance the asynchronous experience
I have participated in few synchronic sessions, and I agree that language and "geographical dispersion" is a problem. But, thinking in training activities, I think that perhaps the most effective way will be one that combines asyn and synchronic sessions. (Claudia)
Or...when we don’t have time for a well-thought learning design and full participation on the other hand.
Do we sometimes use these tools just because we have a lecture that we want to broadcast, as we do not have the time or knowledge to properly design for an online environment? (Mark)
One reason I think for a synchronous session based on what people have said so far, they allow you to pay half attention and get other work done, whereas asynchronous sessions are more work. (Pat)
But...there are good examples too: case studies, assessment of comprehension.
“We used case studies to demonstrate how concepts covered in the online training could be applied to real forecasting problems.(...)By creating more of a discussion session, you can judge how of the material/concepts you are trying to teach is actually understood by your audience.
(Elizabeth)
And... what THEY (eLearning Guild authors) say is to use synchronous for:
Connecting dispersed learners
Real-time interaction and collaboration because it is immediate, engaging, natural (?), spontaneous, direct, social
Sense of immediacy and co-presence
Fostering a learning community
Balancing learning dynamics ("create a more egalitarian learning experience")
Unique functionality (whiteboard, application sharing, web tour)
Extending application demonstrations and Web safaris
Your ideas has been slowly inserted in the chapter: Spot the Difference
In addition, a few resources have een pointed out. You can find them in the “Resource” section of our session. Keep sharing papers as we look forward to read more!
What will happen next?
We are happy to see a little movement in the wikis, a few people subscribed (declared to write). However, you apparently prefer to talk about things using this forum instead. We were discussing recently a research proving that "interaction is no panacea”. You like to interact in the forum, it seems!
We know that flexibility and convenience is one of the most valuable qualities in the online learning environment, so we are flexible. Keep you conversation going in this forum, or contribute to the wiki. The choice is yours and we are ‘recording’ everything.
Good weekend to everyone!
Maja and Vesa