Feel free to respond to any/all of these question prompts:
- How are you feeling about EFOT in general?
- How did the video tutorials reinforce the M1 activities?
- What did you think about Zaption, the interactive video software?
- How was using VoiceThread to begin to connect with one another?
- What are your thoughts about using VoiceThread in your classes? In what ways would you use it? Why might it not work for your class?
- Touch on anything else that is on your mind about our class!
5 comments
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There are so many moving parts to this course that it has been difficult to pause long enough to integrate the theory (from the articles), new skills, and activities/requirements, however that embodied integration is just what one of our author’s suggested is fundamental to this process.
I appreciate how VoiceThread continues to make personal our contributions. The tone and inflection of a voice captures what an email cannot. For my work with congregational and community leaders – those who do far more speaking/preaching/conversing than they do writing as a way of communicating with their constituency – the quality and character of the oral/aural is central to the daily work. Lots of learning ahead!
David Jenkins
Since I was late joining the group, it took me several days to get the rhythm and momentum of the class with the juggling of several tools and platforms. However, the Syllabus was so clear that I was able to see the coherent picture. (David J, yes the ‘moving parts’ and ‘integration’ seems to be where I need to stretch. I heard that online learning is not linear, which is quite an adjustment to make for a ‘seasoned’ learner and instructor like me!)
But, becoming acquainted with such a variety of tools is exciting and stimulating. What a great experience coming at this from the learner’ perspective! The first week is critical to creating community and playing with the tools. Thus, the encouragement, feedback, patience, and calm of the facilitators is crucial to success, as I experienced here:)
I do indeed hope I can learn more about VT to be able to use it with clear outcomes, objectives, and enhanced learner engagement/interactivity. The feedback issue is troublesome (who gave feedback to whom & when). I’ll continue to explore this tool.
Now that I know to look at the ‘all screens’ option of Just-In-Time videos, I know how to recognize what I hadn’t seen yet. Too bad they can’t be date-stamped or have a title bar.
The other tool that is promising and intriguing is Zaption — I loved the quiz!. Also, I have already started using diigo for my private library. These tools are amazing. In the end, however, I think the most valuable aspect of this is the readings. I will admit that I still have/prefer to print them out and read them.
Finally, my objective in taking this course is to explore the possibility of creating online lessons to complement F2F learning, and then see how a complete course might be created, or at least a hybrid.
Peggy
Author
Dear Peggy,
Thank you for your feedback and reflections on the first week – you were definitely a pleasant surprise with your late start!
First, I am SO happy to hear that the syllabus was clearly written. It took concerted effort and revisions to ensure that I was providing a model for this class. It is a critical element of the online course experience, without a doubt.
I am also happy to read that you feel supported and encouraged in this first week where acclimation is of utmost importance. As I mentioned to you previously, your colleagues had received a couple of communications and prior access to the syllabus before the class began. I think this is an important element to any online course, especially when attempting to create an engaging class AND when there are a great deal of technologies to introduce and explore. I feel like I’d be doing you all a great dis-service if I was only showing you Blackboard as the main tool for online classroom delivery.
Re: VoiceThread. I’ve been working with and advising on the use of VT for quite some time now. I just got word that there are a great deal of enhancements occurring in the near future. Here’s a link to sign up for the demo: http://t.co/FCINZ2w690
I’ll post more about this, as it comes up. I REALLY would like to have our own enterprise instance of VT. There are many, many pedagogical values to this tool.
Re: the JIT video tutorials. In VT, one can give each of the slides a title. I also included a new title page before the actual video. I can also add the date. Let me know how I can improve these for you and I’ll do it!
Zaption DOES have great promise. I’d also like to see this tool as an enterprise option, but even so, the pro author version is quite affordable. I can especially see this as an engaging tool for ESL learners.
Alright, I guess that does it for me responses to your comments. Printing out readings is my preferred option, as well, that way I can take notes. I do love diigo for future referencing and even use it for home for recipes, health, wellness, etc.
Great job, Peggy!
Leah
Leah, You all have done a great job setting up this class. As David J. mentioned, there are lots of moving parts. Since I have been traveling these first two weeks, it is very difficult to reflect “on the run”. I’m not sure having internet accessibility in hotels and elsewhere is enough to be a part of the class. I’m thinking my last six weeks will be a better experience with integration. I’ll have to let you know.
David K.
Author
Greetings, David. I do understand your sentiments. This definitely gives you the inside view of a student/learner who is attempting to manage personal, professional and the academic life. It takes a few to get into the groove, but I am certain that will happen very soon. Let me know how I can assist you in any way. Cheers, Leah