Communication Tools
My courses meet in an online environment where we do web conferences once a week. The students can use chat, video, and audio to interact with me.
The students prefer to use chat instead of the audio/ video set-up. What would you recommend to get the students more involved? Right now they only really use their chat box, but for me I really want them to participate orally and visually to break up the course and make it less teacher centered.
Albert,
We have to do what we can to assist our students. If you are "surviving" without them and helping students achieve the learning outcomes, keep going! Thanks again for your input.
I agree that webcams are inexpensive but they will increase the cost.
Many of my students fighting unemployment, Hurricane Sandy, and inadequate technology.
It is clear from the discussion that webcams and audio presentations are a very desirable learning devices.
Julia and Anthony,
That may increase the number of posts/replies, but be careful to reward only good/complete/appropriate posts. Thanks!
Anthony:
Creating an incentive for the students could be one method you could employ. Perhaps giving an extra credit for "x" replies could be used.
Julia Huston
Jacob,
Why not require students to buy Web cams and discuss in a synchronous format that way? Web cams are inexpensive and I require my students to use them and it seems more effective to us.
I also struggle with this aspect. In our online classroom we have one live chat session where I present in video/audio and the students respond in text. Responding in text tends to be less than ideal for students. In my experience they simply are not as engaged in the class. I have found that allowing the students to raise their hand and then switching to allow them to use the audio to speak is effective. However, you need to make sure the student has the technology and equipment to do so. In some cases it can get frustrating if they right technology is not in place.
Steve,
It's funny how two similar products can reside with us differently. We all have our favorites. ;-)
I use both Wimba and Adobe Connect as well. I much prefer Connect for its more streamlined functionality, but Wimba seems to be better for active student input using microphones and file sharing.
Steve,
Good suggestion. It is good to offer choices of times for collaboration and group chats.
Thanks.
Dr. Tena B. Crews
In response to Anthony's original question, perhaps students prefer to use chat because they are multi-tasking? Many students seem to try to do too much schoolwork from their workplaces. One of the ways that I deal with this is to offer multiple times - early morning, daytime and evening - for chat sessions.
Robert,
Opened ended questions are great to help students think and engage in a conversation? Thanks.
To encourage more interactive activity, I would force the issue and ask the entire class open-ended questions. Plus, follow up questions, role playing and scenarios would help as well.
Donald,
I use Adobe Connect also and require students to have a Web cam. We meet synchronously 2-4 times per semester and students do their oral presentations using the Web cam.
Why do you require your students to have a webcam? With a web cam, a student can see another students, what they look like, and most importantly, how the student lives. Many students who take courses in an online environment do not have a web cam.
When I teach online, I use Adobe Connect Professional, and I have a picture of myself on the second page on the PowerPoint presentation. If I were to have a web cam, then I would necessarily dress up before going on camera. Is this something that your students would like to do, dress up for being on camera?
Donald L. Buresh
Martha,
Ah, yes. Wimba and Adobe Connect are fabulous for online courses. I have not used Collaborate, but they are all very similar.
I use the adobe synchronous tool and WIMBA. I perfer WIMBA as I am able to have students verbally interact with me and the class. I setup the room so that all students are presenters. Students will use these classrooms to have meetings among themselves, planning group projects. Wimba will disappear next year and will be replaced by collborate. Seems as though this program will be sufficient and meet all of my expectations. Anyone have any experience with collborate?
Anthony,
I require students to have a Web cam. When they have questions, they turn on their Web cam and ask the question. Then, I turn my Web cam on and answer the question or ask a student to do that. I ca
