Concerns with Adobe Connect - Synchronous Learning Sessions
Let me say first that I love the capability that Adobe Connect has provided to instructors. It's a wonderful environment for the online learner and instructor. What I am lacking in the tool is the capability for the students to talk as well. Even if the tool would allow a single student to talk at a time, this would greatly enable the interaction of a synchronous session. We are getting so close with online learning! I'm sure the capabilities will come soon! What software have you found to be beneficial for synchronous learning sessions?
Cynthia,
Most of these resources will allow you a trial run or go to YouTube and watch a video on each one. YouTube can be a very good resource!
Shelly Crider
What is a good way to learn about all of these options (Adobe Connect, Blackboard Connect, WebEx, etc.)?
Do any of you use something called iLearn?
Dawn ,
Try a WebEx once in the near future. You can speak, share your computer, and record!
Shelly Crider
mica,
Very good point. Not every student has fast speed internet. In fact, I have had online students who did not even have internet! They planned on working totally at library!
Shelly Crider
So agree with you. Its hard to sit and speak with them but they have to type in their response to you. It would be great to be able to talk and be spoken to as well. I truly believe it would spark alot more interaction between the students and instructor as well as student to student.
Dawn Huber
Right!
It really isn’t the issue of capability—as anyone can be “promoted†to presenter—however, it’s really a bandwidth consideration.
We also have to remember that a lot of students who are taking classes online are doing so because they live in a remote area or in circumstances that necessitate they take a class that way—via distance. In these instances, many of these students don’t have the best connectivity.
I have even found in the past that if I “share†too much, in terms of content during a session, that some student connections have a hard time keeping up with the data coming at them. If we started adding additional voice and perhaps video to the equation, I’m sure that would make for further difficulties.
It will be interesting to see where this technology goes in the next few years though!
Best,
Mica
Adobe Connect has always had the capability for students to talk, as do most of their competitors, e.g., Blackboard Connect, GoToMeeting, WebEx, etc. However, that is not the issue...the issue is bandwidth and who will pay for it.
Steven,
This is nice to teach the students to use (for those who have not tried it) so that when they get into their new career they can utilize this!
Shelly Crider
The newer versions of Adobe Connect not allow the students to talk but they can also use their cameras too.
Barbara,
Have you tried other programs like joinme.com?
Shelly Crider
I agree that students need to be able to talk. I would also like to see an easier way to bring in slides. I don't like to show my PC when using my info because there may be things I don't want students to see.
