If you’re not already reading Roxanne’s blog, read her post on “Does a screwdriver make a good hammer?” Make sure you click the link to Wes Fryer’s post that she references. There’s a great graphic on there comparing web 2.0 tools for interactivity and sycnchronous vs. asynchronous. I’m too brain-fried to add any other words of wisdom, but the idea of balance is sinking into my brain – transmission and construction both are necessary to learning. Think about it!
Tag Archives: VC Community
New VC Blog from London
I was delighted to find this blog from the Havering and Redbridge Boroughs of London, UK in my Google Alerts. Welcome, Dave Smith and Anthony Evans, to the VC blogging community!
It appears to be reporting on a partnership between two districts to form their own network and collaborative projects. A quick review of recent posts shows some really cool things happening that we can learn from. The pictures from their Uganda connection are exquisite! Check it out & leave them a comment!
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Is Synchronous Distance Learning Worth the Trouble?
Roxanne’s post on the Face Time article in THE Journal reminded me that I wanted to blog about it. The article covers collaborative videoconferences such as Read Around the Planet and Monster Match, as well as the new Collaborations Around the Planet site. Overall it’s a great article, and you should read it.
I, however, wanted to express my angst on how the article ended. It closed with this from an e-learning vendor (emphasis mine):
Real-time communication technologies like videoconferencing, Ericson points out, require synchronous interactions, which rob users of one of the most valuable qualities of web-based networking: the ability to time shift—to interact with others whether or not they’re online with you at the same time. E-mail, blogs, and wikis all allow for time-shifted interactions; online chat rooms and virtual communities such as Second Life require you be there at the same time as those with whom you are communicating.
“One of the big advantages of virtual education and learning,” Ericson says, “is that you can do things on demand, when you want to. We do believe that chatting and videoconferencing have a place. But in our model, it’s not as valuable as allowing students to participate in the community on their own terms, whenever and wherever they are. The idea of forcing a synchronous model, where everyone is on at the same time, well, that’s what a classroom is for.”
!!!!
First of all, you should know that not only am I crazy about VC, I also have taught nine different online classes several times each since 1999. I am taking two online classes right now, and will start teaching two next week. I love the reflection and thoughtfulness in online classes.
But, I don’t think it’s fair to compare synchronous vs. asynchronous distance learning and say one is “more valuable” than another. I also think it is definitely not fair to have a vendor with a vested interest in asynchronous distance learning critique the synchronous medium.
So, here’s the question for you. Is synchronous distance learning like videoconferencing worth the trouble? Is it worth staying up in the evening to connect to places half way around the world?
I can think of a few benefits to real-time – besides the learning that goes on – think of these:
- motivation
- enthusiasm
- engagement levels (think of the posture when kids watch a video vs. participate in an interactive VC)
- accents & dress differences (can’t see that in a discussion board)
- body language & face time
- the feeling of being together and connecting (they are the same as us!)
When I read Roxanne’s list of Read Around the Planet ideas I was encouraged. I’m deep in the challenges of dealing with the RAP leftovers. The ideas reminded me of the kids’ enthusiasm in these events. When you’re tired and stressed with too many videoconferences to suppport, think of the kids. When you get all your matches next week and have a ton of RAP test calls to do, think of the kids. When you’re frustrated with the pain of scheduling, think of the kids. Imagine the faces of the kids in the last VC you did.
What do YOU think? Please comment. Is synchronous distance learning worth the trouble? Why?
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Videoconference Jokes
When I used to teach Word, Excel, email, etc. workshops, I had a PowerPoint of technology jokes that I’d run before the session started.
I’ve wished for a while that I had a set of videoconference jokes to do the same. But there aren’t that many online that are appropriate for educational use.
Here’s one that I found once (the original source is no longer online):
Video Conference Pranks
Arrange with everyone in the room to freeze and quit talking all at the same moment.
Look directly into the camera and move your lips as if speaking, but make no noise.
Have someone off-camera talk while someone of the opposite gender lip-syncs on-camera.
Wainhouse Research Forums include a forum for videoconference humor.
Do you know of any appropriate VC jokes? Comment & share.
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Blogging Survey
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Short on Bandwidth? Problem or Dilemma?
Do any of your schools struggle with managing bandwidth so that videoconferences can happen? Mine do. I was reading Doug Johnson’s blog, and realized that his post Problem or Dilemma may assist with this issue:
[Dilemmas are] conditions that can only be managed, not solved because they involve conflicts in values. Because of individual priorities and “problem frames,” it is impossible to deal with these issues so that everyone gets what she/he desires. So how are these situations best dealt with? Personally, I like using my advisory committee (or a task force) comprised of all stakeholders effected to fully air the issue, suggest actions, and make a recommendation. Does everyone always like the result? No. But everyone knows why it has been made and has had a chance to have had their concerns heard.
Read the full post. How is bandwidth a dilemma? I have schools where they make an announcement (or send an email) for everyone to stay off their computers from 9:00-10:00 or whenever because a videoconference is going on. That’s pretty extreme, and those of you lucky enough to have fiber would never dream of such a situation. But it happens. In another district, due to internal networking, three schools have to stay offline to do a videoconference! Do you think these schools see videoconferencing as something they want to do on a daily or weekly basis? Certainly not! Just enough to meet the requirements of the RUS grant, or just enough to satisfy those teachers interested in using it. Just imagine the feeling about videoconferencing in these buildings! Having a conversation as Doug described is certainly one great way to get everyone involved in the issue.
What other ideas do you have?
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ESC 11 Workshop Online
October 17, 2007, I did a workshop on Collaborations Around the Planet and Read Around the Planet for ESC 11’s Conference. Thanks to Google Alerts, I found out the video recording of the workshop is online. Feel free to use it if you want.
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CILC Symposium Archives & TeacherTube Videos
Did you know that the CILC Symposium videos are archived on TeacherTube? Check them out. The sessions are also archived, along with supporting documents at the CILC Symposium website. If you missed this conference, you’ll want to check out these resources.
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Scheduling issues aren't just with the VC equipment & the far site
My Kid2Kid Videoconference Connections class is just winding up. One of the side conversations that popped up during the discussion was as follows. Both of these schools have a room for the videoconference cart. Both videoconference coordinators are full time teachers with no release time to support VC.
Teacher coordinator A: I think the scheduling works well in our district (I just always check the district calander first to see if anything else is scheduled at that time and day). It’s just sort of a hassle to make sure that everyone knows that I’m using the room in our school (our title 1 aides use it too to work with students in) and then make sure that they remember when I’m using it! Sometimes the testing times aren’t during my planning time either and it’s hard to get someone to cover my class so I can test the connection. If I do move up to our Middle School next year, I’m guessing it will all be different there anyway!
Teacher coordinator B: I have the same difficulties in my building. The room is shared by title 1 and I try to schedule test calls for before or after school and then not forget that I’ve scheduled them. I keep a calendar on the door of the room, a calendar for myself and then I have to update the calendar in the office in order to check out the room. Sometimes I don’t get things updated in time though. It can become overwhelming.
Teacher coordinator A: We have a book in the office where we are supposed to sign up for the days and times we will need the VC room. Although I don’t even think the people who use that room know the book exists, or where it is kept. Plus whoever printed out the calendar pages for the book didn’t have the right year, so all the days/dates are wrong!
So everytime I got to put a program in there, I have to scratch out the dates and put in the right ones. I have a thought as to who printed those pages out, and because of who it might be, I’m not going to tell them they did it all wrong. It’s pretty much just me using the book anyway. lol
Do your schools deal with these room scheduling issues, too? Any ideas for solutions?
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National Distance Learning Week Awards
Last post from the CILC Symposium 2007.
Yesterday, November 13, at the luncheon, the NDLW awards were given out. I was glad that some of my favorite people won – COSI Columbus, and the AT&T Videoconferencing website (which started so many of us on our videoconferencing journey.)
But my favorite award winners were Roxanne Glaser and Shane Howard from Region 12, TX. We collaborate on so many events with Region 12 – the sharing goes both ways for projects like MysteryQuest, ASK, Monster Match, Jazz, Mini-Jazz, etc. etc.
Dona Weber, OH, was gracious enough to take this picture of the three of us. And Roxanne was so kind to let me hold her award for the MysteryGuest PD model – which is a really cool extension of the MQ idea and you should check it out.
Congratulations Roxanne & Shane for awards well deserved! And also to all the others who also won or who were nominated.