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

2. WHERE’S WALLY?

3. WHO’S ONLINE TODAY?

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. 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

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

13. Paradigm Shift

14. 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

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

16. 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)

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

18. 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

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

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

21. 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

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

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

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

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

26. CENTRA:
a presentation tool?
a collaboration tool?

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

29. 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

30. What kinds of activities can be held in virtual classrooms?
TEACHING
‘straight lectures’
Guest lecturers
Oral presentations
Group work
Office hours
Social: student - student

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

32. Is this the classroom of the future?