Two communication tools we are currently testing in conjunction with Elluminate Live are WiziQ and DimDim for use as online classrooms, faculty office hours and for student conferencing. We are doing our own comparison of how these tools match up for faculty teaching through blended and online delivery methods.
These tools are getting tested by our faculty as a means to reach students through new methods for virtual classes or for additional learning sessions to help students understand a new software or to understand a new concept. DimDim and WiziQ provide a free or very inexpensive alternative to the well know communication tools, Elluminate Live and Adobe Connect. There are many more on the web today.
In distance learning hearing the instructors voice connects the student with the teacher and allows instructors to verbalize instead of just using text-based chat. These virtual classrooms provide a white board for class use, a text chat window, and the opportunity to see the instructor via a web cam and to hear the instructor's voice among many other features. Using these tools for synchronous learning provides a unique learning experience for the student as well as the instructor.
Test them out yourself. You can find one to fit your budget. And be sure to tell us which ones you are using.
1 comment:
Sounds like a great way to incorporate technology into the classroom. As a recent grad some of the tools we used were blackboard and webct. Another great online tool for managing school sports is TeamPages
www.teampages.com. As a company created by Uvic grads, we would love to hear your feedback as you seem to know a thing or two about these online tools!
We also have a blog if you want to read any inspirational quotes or have a sports community you would like to nominate for doing an outstanding job.
http://blog.teampages.com/
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