synchronous+video+meetings

Our campus now has a license for Eluminate, a tool for synchronous video meetings. As we try synchronous meetings, we can report our experience on this page.


 * Experience with an online class meeting using screen sharing, VoIP and chat**

I ran one synchronous class session using Yuuguu for screen sharing and Skype for VoIP and chat. I stayed on campus to take advantage of the fast Internet connetion, and some of the students were on campus, others at home.

I conducted the class as if it were taking place in the classroom -- first giving a short lecture using a note from the class Web site, then demonstrating a social network created using Ning. The presentation and demonstration were identical to a classroom presentation and demonstration, and involved no extra preparation. I encouraged the students to make comments and ask questions as they would have in the classroom.

I expected that the students would find the low bandwidth channel less engaging than a classroom where everyone could see facial expressions and gestures; however, in a short survey after the exercise, they reported that they were relaxed and less shy when online than in class. They also tended to focus more closely on the presentation, and were less likely to look at unrelated material on their computers than if in the classroom. The students ranged from neutral to preferring the online meeting. You can see the survey and results [|here].

