How well do you teach in your Virtual Classroom?
By alex miller • Jul 8th, 2007 • Category: Facilitation, Virtual WorldsFriday July 6th:
Attended e-Learning Networks web conference about Virtual Classrooms, let me clarify; the virtual classroom is an online classroom using web software such as Adobe Connect or Elluminate. Sessions run in these applications have a URL (web address) and offer interactive tools such as polls, share document spaces, whiteboards, chat and much more. You can facilitate quite an interactive session using the software, which often includes the use of a web camera and headset for audio and vision.
I run frequent online sessions in Adobe Connect and have attended quite a few in Elluminate. I found this session very helpful, it was highly interactive and closely examined how much interaction to include on both your online sessions and your e-Learning material.
The session looked closely at the following points;
- Is learning better in a face-to-face or virtual classroom? What the evidence says.
- What are the important instructional elements of any learning event?
- How to engage learners productively in virtual classroom events with visuals and interactions.
Guest speaker Ruth Clark led discussion on the above points, which she expands upon in her recently published book;
The New Virtual Classroom: Evidence-based Guidelines for Synchronous e-Learning,
by Ruth Clark and Ann Kwinn.
This session was recorded, so stay tuned for the link, it’s worth having a look at.
Ruth focused on how to harness the power of a virtual classroom by looking at the techniques required (such as interactivity, instructional design, multimedia, use of graphics, etc), rather than the technologies (although there was a slight focus on Elluminate).
Link to view recorded Elluminate Session: (link coming soon)
Link to Ruth’s slides: (link coming soon)
Website: http://www.clarktraining.com (download book intro here)
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Overseas customers can not purchase the book through Clark Training so I ordered it from Amazon. I believe Ruth has also requested to re-record the session because of the issue with the slide (I thought her presentation was fantastic regardless).
Sue
Thanks Sue, good to know. It was fantastic, some good info! Alex
I’m sure Ruth did a great job, although I didn’t get a chance to see it. While you are waiting for the recording links to come through, I thought your readers might like to know about another free educational resource. I gave a presentation concentrating purely on vocal presentation skills for online educators. This concentrates on vocal mannerisms, how to set up your environment, and your content. I think it should be complementary to Ruth’s materials. I’m not trying to steal any of her thunder! If you want to take a look, you need to do a free registration to watch the recording “Improving Your Online Presentation Skills”:
http://meetandtrain.ilinc.com/register/hhhmhv
(This is not an advertisement or a solicitation for you to buy anything)