Video Chats
Hi All!
When I first started teaching we only had text chats, now we are all using voice and many are moving to video chats. I am not thrilled about getting dressed to sit in front of my computer and I also believe this may be a distraction for some, while others may not have the technical ability to be involved in a video chat.
What are your thoughts on the possibility of being required to do video chats?
Karen "kam" Maiorano
Lauren,
I find the voice over PP through PP is hard to do. I find there are other programs that work better. I like your plan though.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I enjoy using video chats the first week of the course to say hello to my students, after that I still use them but instead I use my powerpoint slides and the voice over. However, sometimes they are more complicated to get everyone on board with using.
Lauren Dotson
Cindy,
That can happen. It also depends on the product. Look to see what your LMS provides you.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I also believe video chats can be distracting. There is also a 'delay' in video chats that would be bothersome
Carlos,
Interesting, I have tried some video resumes and they have not been impressive. These are things to think about. . .
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I haven't yet seen these being implemented in my discussion boards, but it makes sense and it would be interesting. If video resumes are now the latest in putting yourself out there on the market as a potential candidate for a position, I don't see why this type of chat wouldn't be beneficial to students. I think this can motivate the student further more to be more actively involved in the chat, rather than typing. Many of them are very skeptic of the chats, and prefer not to engage in them fearing a deduction in the grading because of grammatical errors.
Karen,
I think the research shows that you have to be careful with using video just to see the teacher's face. What id the most important item you want your students to see; you or your Powerpoint slides or other visual element? It can be overwhelming on the screen.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
Janis,
You make a good point. Do we determine the effectiveness of technology. I think we need to collect data and share the results to determine the effectiveness of technology.
Dr. Kelly Wilkinson
I am not sure I really see the advantage of video chats for regular usage.
I have been an online instructor for a long time. When I started working with online instruction, I had to teach students how to send emails--that is how long it has been. :}
I know that students of online classes like to see a visual image of their instructor. I guess seeing us "in the flesh" would have added value in terms of making the online environment more like that in an on-ground class. But often times the video stream lags and the voice does not sync up.
What is your experience using conferencing where a live shot is involved?
I had one positive experience a few years ago. We were taking a graduate math course online and working with truncations of Platonic solids. For the life of me, I couldn't visualize how my partner was getting the answer. She had her webcam hooked up, so she flipped it on, held up the solid, and demonstrated how she was approaching the trunctation. Without that visual to accompany our conversation, I would have been lost.
It will be interesting to see how this aspect of communication develops as we continue to evolve as on-line instructors.
Janis
