Online Session
Hey people,
last session we had an online seminar. Actually, it was a lot of fun. Unfortunatelly it was more about technics working or not working than about content.
First, we started chatting via skype. It was the “welcoming part”. The technic worked out well.
Then, we had a telephone conference via skype. The technic worked but communication was more complicated as I didn’t know who was there and sometimes it was hard to distinguish who was talking.
Third, we tried another web site/program (can anyone give me a hint how to get to this program?) where we could see the skype chat, a “white board” and the teacher via camera and hear the teacher’s voice. Unfortunatelly, most of the time we could not hear the person speaking. The teacher tried to explain something but I could not follow it.
Last we watched a video on You tube and then went back to chat.
Well, summed up, it was an interesting experience. We had a lot of fun and it was my first time using internet for a class. I want to give a short comment on what could be improved.
Most problems arised with the technic. Skype (chatting and calling) basically worked well. The sound of the new program was a major problem and therefore it was not effective. The program itself offers various possibilities and it therefore is highly recommendable to be developed.
Preparing an online session it would be effective if there was a clear goal set, like an exercise that has to be handed in at the end of the session. Then, you could use the communication choices more targeted. Chatting is important and mostly used for relationship building and fun. As a teacher it should be a goal to use the communication tools to communicate about topics you want students to discuss.
That’s it for now. Thanks to the people who made it possible and who spent there time for offering this session.
Juliane
