Assignment 3 Attend Live Webinar Session
There are three times posted during this module on the calendar for the live webinar session. The sessions will be about 20 minutes long. Pick the one most convenient for you. You can get there by going to the very next link (8.1). See you there!
Webinar Platform Live Discussion on WimbiaMedia pending.
Assignment 2 Group Project
Using the WebCT chat feature (and also the Google Talk feature for one-on-one conversations if you want), work with your team for the following “panel” assignments. Come up with a group answer and post it to the WebCT discussion board for this module. It is important that ALL team members participate in this. Your team assistant will serve as your team leader. React to the postings of the other two teams.
Jupiter Team: Consider the following: Now that Google offers a service (it’s free right to those who sign up early) to educational institutions to permit branding and account management for Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Chat, will we see a greater threat to course management systems such as WebCT? Fully support your answer with examples of how one or more institutions are using these tools.
Stardust Team: Consider the following: Synchronous communication provides immediacy and speed that is lacking in asynchronous distance learning courses. However, they provide some disadvantages as well in terms of accessibility, time inconvenience, and complexity of training. With this in mind, what one or two tools are most promising for synchronous delivery for distance educators in the next 10 years? Describe these tools (do they rely mainly on voice, text, audio, etc?). Support your answer.
Moonrocks Team: Consider the following: Group assignments in distance learning can be greatly facilitated through the use of synchronous learning tools. Provide five solid and specific examples of group assignments and the best synchronous tools for these activities. Also, provide a statement as to whether or not you believe that group activities are worthwhile in the online classroom.
Assignment 1: Google Talk
Sign up for a Google Talk account as soon as possible this week. It is very easy. If you don't have Gmail, then you will need to sign up for a Google account, but you can do it right there at this site. This whole process will take you less than 5 minutes, and it is quite intuitive.
Google Talk will allow instant messaging from your desktop as well as voice calls. The only downfall is that it only works on PCs (not Macs). Please contact your team assistant if you have a Mac for an alternate assignment. Google Talk provides excellent audio quality, and also allows file sharing. Very easy, and seems to be very powerful. What makes this more interesting is that Google University has begun offering tools, such as email, for free to universities, and allowing them to use their own branding. Certainly, implications exist.
For this assignment, after you have gotten your Google Talk up and running, post your Google Talk email on your blog (they generally provide you with a new one). Go to the blogs of some other classmates, look up their Google Talk email and add them as contacts. Keep your Google Talk open when you're at your computer during this week (when you can) so that your classmates can try this out with you. Contact at least one class member and have a Google Talk with them. Use both the text messaging and the call feature. Post on the discussion board about your experience. Could this be used for distance learning? Would this be more convenient than the chat feature in WebCT for online office hours? What advantages, if any, might it offer?
Reading I: Online Synchronous Tools
During the past several years, there has been an explosion of web-enabled technologies which allow live collaboration and presentation. These technologies include the following general tools:
A general advantage of such tools is that they allow participants to feel a similar sense of community that they would in a traditional course, and to get instant feedback for their questions or ideas. In addition, synchronous tools are very high on the "bells and whistle" factor and thus, they look impressive. Disadvantages include cost, accessibility, the fear factor, and the inconvenience to students of having to meet at a certain time.
In this module, we will explore live voice chats and live Webinar tools.
