Chatting recently with a Sociology Instructor she mentioned that due to our island's isolation she is very limited to exposing her students to speakers with topics that would benefit them.
She expressed how she would love to have her students virtually attend the 2006 Honors Seminar Series that will be presented by PTK.org via satellite this fall. This venue would provide one opportunity for them to connect with the rest of the world. Emerging technology can connect your students to guest speakers virtually.
I started thinking about ways to connect students who are so geographically isolated that it is very costly to bring in guest speakers. Skype might be one answer.
Skype is an Internet telephony that works from computer to computer, or computer to telephone. Recently I had the chance to try Skype from my computer. While chatting I was thinking how this FREE technology would allow instructors to have guest speakers ‘talk’ to their class; all you need is an Internet connection, a computer, and a Skype account.
Also, it would be a great way to have a panel of experts discuss topics and students ask questions right in your class.
Now add a video web cam and you have a live video presentation. Unfortunately, video conferencing is not available for a MAC, bummer. I had to do a little ‘bricolage' but I found that if you have a new Apple MACBOOK with Windows XP along with your iSight web cam - it works!
You are limited to one videoconference though, you couldn’t have an entire panel discussion with everyone on the panel presenting ‘live’ via video. Another excellent idea is that a Skype videoconference could be held for synchronous chat sessions for online courses, bringing the speaker to your students synchronously!
It is exciting to think how emerging technology can transform the way you teach, in ways that will improve student learning.
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