CEP 812: Part A-Brainstorm Session

For our web conference, our group chose to use a free tool found at www.anymeeting.com. Our group is made up of Diana, Dianne, Andrew, and me. All group members were present for the session. We were able to take advantage of a chat feature, screen sharing, document sharing, and I was able to present using my camera and microphone. This seemed like a great conference tool in theory, since there was a possibility of multiple presenters, screens could be shared, and the sessions were able to be recorded. We spent a large portion of our brainstorming session focusing on the technical aspects of our meeting and it ended up being 74 minutes long. The technology that we chose to teach is posters through Glogster. A few members of the group have used this tool before and felt that it would be very beneficial to use in the classroom because it can be used across the curriculum. To facilitate the learning, we will be using Voicethread which will allow us to incorporate videos, pictures, PowerPoint slides, and voice. The technical aspects have been decided, and we will be using a script that will be added to a PowerPoint. Once the slides and Glogster tutorial have been created, they will be edited and uploaded to a Voicethread account. I set up an account for my group so that we can all access the final project. In addition to the technical details, our group created a timeline for who is responsible for which piece and when it needs to be completed by. Since we last met, we have also been discussing in the group discussion forum. Two of the roles have been reversed and the timeline is as follows:

Part 1: Script Writer- Introduction to the tool, why teachers may use it in the classroom and how, importance of it to student learning and achievement. (Completed by Diana-July 26^th)

Part 2: Storyboard Creator- Locates and creates visuals based on the script. Lay out in the storyboard what will be said along with each image. (Completed by Dianne- July 29^th)

Part 3: Slide Creations- Uses the storyboard to create a PowerPoint. Includes, photos, visuals, color, design, etc. (Competed by Andrew- August 5^th)

Part 4: Voicethread/Editing- Creates the slidecast. Includes music, embeds videos, fits the ten minute time frame, edits. (Completed by Sarah- August 9^th)

Please view our web conference by clicking on the following link: http://anymeeting.com/msutech/E950DA80864F.

There were obvious advantages to using this web tool. First, the sessions were able to be recorded. Many of the conference tools that were researched did not offer this feature. The presenter was also able to use a microphone, camera, and use a “start presenting” feature which allowed all of the attendees to view the same screen as the presenter. This made it easier to stay on track because instead of simply talking to each other, we could show the actual screen. Lastly, there was a type-chat feature on the bottom of the screen where everyone could write to each other for questions or comments. While I found that this tool did offer many advantages, it ended up being much more difficult to use than we had originally intended.

Unfortunately, there were many disadvantages to using this conference tool. When I set up our conference meeting, I was able to send an invitation link to the rest of my group. Each person was invited as a presenter so that we could all share our ideas. First, logging into the website took over ten minutes for me. I thought it could be my internet connection but that is quite fast and all other sites were loading as normal. Once I could finally attend the conference, we realized that we could not all present at the same time. One person did not have access to a microphone or camera so he was unable to present, and only two of us could share our screens. As time went on and we attempted to fix the presentation problem, we quickly found out that all four of us had lost the ability to share our screens. Only after logging on to another computer was I able to share my screen while using my microphone and camera. I was asked to keep my presentation feature on so we could have at least one voice, however, not everyone was able to express their ideas using the text-chat feature. Once we had figured out that we would be focusing on Glogster and presenting with Voicethread, we discussed how we would divide up the assignment as well as a timeline for the completion of each section.

Even though there were some difficulties with this tool, I would absolutely use it in my own classroom. Although I would not use this tool with first grade students for communication purposes, I could definitely create short tutorials and post them for the students to watch. In addition, students who missed a class could easily review material in this format from home, or the next day at school if a computer and internet access is not available at home. My goal is to create a tutorial using this site for each project produced by students that is centered on a technology tool. For example, when the students create Voicethreads, I will create and post to the classroom website a tutorial of how to access, use, and post projects created using this technology. In addition, parents will be able to access these tutorials and by creating a separate account they could allow their children to practice using technology tools at home while promoting learning outside of the classroom. Finally, I have considered setting up a contact session once a week to meet with parents. If parents have the technology, they could join the chat and ask me any questions that they may have about school. All parents would be welcome, and they could simply type questions or comments and I could easily answer, record, and then post the sessions to the classroom website.

I would definitely recommend this tool to anyone who is presenting independently to an audience. While it was very difficult to use as a group, it would be a great way to create a recorded tutorial, or a conference tool in which one individual is presenting. I look forward to using this tool in the future so that I can become more comfortable with the technology and take advantage of the additional features.