Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question

1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.

FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Designing an Elluminate Class

I think the content and your objectives determine how you want to design the Elluminate class. If you were going to do straight lecture with question and answer you could easily use Elluminate to deliver the PowerPoint and then allow students to chime in. You could have a reasonably large class. The more group work you want to do the smaller the overall class size should be. The training and time need to get use to the program is essential. I think plenty of time has been allowed in our class to get use to it. The pace has been good for me. However, our class is fairly large. The more people in the class the wider the range of abilities are in using this technology. More time may be needed to get everybody up to speed and comfortable with the technology. If you have a lot of content to deliver you may not have the time for that so you need to limit the size of the class. Also, I think instruction in etiquette is needed. How we interact on Elluminate is different than when we are in person in a classroom. Since we don't see faces and may not recognize voices it is more important to announce who is speaking. It is important to know about using the on and off mic button. I think most people have figured it out by trial and error. Also, facial expression is lost even when you hear the voice and misunderstandings or misinterpretations can occur more easily. Feelings can get hurt more easily, tension can build more easily, etc. I think this needs to be thought out and addressed in the beginning to help everyone realize and understand these things. I don't think you should assume everyone knows how to interact in this type of environment. Also, in small group all the members may feel comfortable jumping in but other groups may not. You may have a very silent group who are just waiting for someone else to start. You have a lot of silence wondering who is actually there and participating. I think that group leaders need to be assigned by the instructor before groups are assigned so that the conversation will keep going. Overall, I am enjoying using Elluminate for our class though I am still fearful of how group work will turn out.

4 comments:

Ms. Smith said...

Connie, you made some interesting points regarding etiquette on Elluminate. First of all it is much like commenting in emails, the perception is not always the intednded version. It is important to introduce yourself when speaking and remember to click off and on the mic. I do think we are evolving as a class in this respect. As for group leaders, I think you do need a leader and that you should appoint one when you are all in your room.

RS said...

Connie,

You made an excellent point when pointing out the different lesson delivery methods. For the lecture you could have college sized classes and as you pointed out the group work would need to be smaller. For me not being able to see the class is something I do miss when we are all assembled in a classroom. I learn a lot from the various comments, even the side conversations that should not be happening in the classroom.

It does take time to get use to using this type of technology. There are a lot of new factors, which affect how well it will work for all students. Overall I like the technology. It is a new learning experience.

Thanks,
Ron

Dr. M said...

Hi, Connie - I really like your focus on the "soft side" of this technology, and Delores is correct in comparing it to email etiquette, which means different things to different folks. I agree about misunderstandings occuring more easily, and also agree with some earlier posts, that knowing your Elluminate classmates is a real plus, and will keep misinterpretations to a minimum. Well said!

Dr. J said...

Hi Connie,
This is very insightful! I didn't think of what you and Delores are talking about. I know I can come across harsh in emails and I am wondering if you all are experiencing this from me? Thanks, Dr. J.