Interactivity in a Virtual Classroom (Centra) Michael Coghlan TAFE SA

WHERE’S WALLY?

WHO’S ONLINE TODAY?

MULTIPLE VENUE PRESENTATIONS (MVPs) CLASSROOM/ F2F VENUE remote students guest lecturer public space

What do we mean by Interactivity? Long association with computer assisted learning Has usually meant interactive programs (CD, website) - predictable In a virtual classroom it refers to ‘true interactivity’ ie interaction with other people – unpredictable, unscripted

Why does Interactivity Matter? Learning is a social experience Increases level of exploration; students more likely to engage with content and not just ‘consume’ it’ Aids critical thinking, higher order thinking, problem solving Online: interactive experiences much more enjoyable

Good in theory but……. Very hard in practice Influence of transmission model Curriculum/time restraints – an interactive approach can take longer Students may need to be taught to interact, collaborate, and trust each other

How do you ‘do interactivity’ in a virtual classroom?

Participants can: Participate in 2 way voice chat Participate in 2 way text chat Use the whiteboard (compose text, draw pictures, upload images) View slides and URLs Take part in polls Work in groups Share applications Stream live video (webcam)

Presenters can: Do all the things a participant can do PLUS Upload content Make participants presenters Create new screens Display URLs Create polls and quizzes Create break out rooms Share applications Show videos Stream live video (webcam)

Interactivity: Golden Rules Don’t talk for more than 5 minutes at a time! ie ‘chunk’ the session Don’t assume you know it all

Changing Methodology Online/elearning: ca 1998 2006 Asynchronous (written) text based Content focused Asynch + synch more voice interaction Content + process

Paradigm Shift

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity Ask students where/who they are ‘Fill them out’ as real people Share some information about yourself Don’t underestimate the value of small talk show a map so people can mark where they are

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity Use a webcam (or at least show a picture) Have students use webcams if they have them

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity: Ask questions – esp open questions Global (to the group) and individual Encourage questions and comments Exploit the whiteboard: Brainstorming Group work Inserting images (have students prepare some) For fun (especially before session, during breaks)

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity: Ask for feedback regularly via Voice Text chat Whiteboard Poll Emoticons

Progress Check We could use emoticons….. Or do a quick poll: How is everyone feeling about the session so far? Satisfied Very Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity: Hold group discussions Question: Do these examples of interactivity seem practical in your teaching/work situation?

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity: Enable all channels of communication (when appropriate) Encourage student to student communication – especially text chat

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity Exploit polling/quiz tool (short answer, multiple choice) New polls/quizzes can be created on the fly Share the results Use results as starting point for discussion

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity Conduct web tours Have students lead web tours

Other Strategies to Increase Interactivity Share your desktop Have students share their desktop Let students take control of your mouse!

Pre and Post Session Open the room early Get there early (social time, informal question time) Allow discussion to continue post session

MVPs: Pedagogical Implications F2f classroom, lecture theatre PC suite/lab Office (at work) Home office/study Other (café, beach)

CENTRA: a presentation tool? a collaboration tool?

The Instructional Challenge: Methodology: how do you use these tools to maximise their impact?

Live Online Presentations Golden Rule: 5 minutes talking at a stretch maximum Intersperse presentations with questions, polls, other speakers (from the floor), whiteboard activity Decide how to handle direct messaging – will you monitor/respond? Or ignore it? Dip in and out of it? Consider working with a producer/co-presenter More at http://users.chariot.net.au/~michaelc/fll/blog.htm#skills

What kinds of activities can be held in virtual classrooms? TEACHING ‘straight lectures’ http://propertyservices.brightcookie.com/ps/lectures.htm Guest lecturers http://dcyeh.com/sy0304/2ndsem/groupa_projects/happy/ Oral presentations http://alothman-b.tripod.com/present_162.htm Group work Office hours Social: student - student

What kinds of activities can be held in virtual classrooms? PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Conferences, seminars, workshops Training sessions Meetings (much more cost effective than teleconferencing)

Is this the classroom of the future?