Compose a blog post regarding the available options in the
synchronous delivery market for learning.
One part of the traditional classroom that people often find
missing in learning is the social connection. A traditional classroom allows
for real time interaction between teacher and students and between students
themselves. This interaction helps form a cohesive and trusting environment in the
classroom. As technology has advanced and improved over the years so has our
opportunities to implement this social connection in e-learning.
Synchronous classroom sessions as discussed in In this blog post happens in real time so participants can talk, interact, ask and
answer questions etc. There are various platforms that allow
for synchronous sessions and administrators and teachers must select the
best platform for the delivery of their content. When looking at
delivery platforms it is helpful to consider the tools offered by the
vendor including but not limited to
Presentation delivery format
Audio/video capabilities
Video conferencing
Chat tools
Ability to share screens
There are numerous synchronous platforms out there
depending on what you are looking for. Here are a few that I thought were
noteworthy: Adobe Connect I use Adobe connect for my
synchronous sessions at GaVS. This is also the method that GaVS administration
delivers professional development and faculty meetings. There are some real
positive fetters including the ability to share your desktop, numerous people
can join, allows for collaboration by using break out rooms, can include video,
sound, and many more features. Cons to this program is cost, lack of technical
support 24 hrs a day, and their are glitches like how many people can have
speaker access at once without feedback. Over all it is a decent platform for synchronous
sessions.
GoToMeeting is a platform that I had not heard of
before and received the prize of 'first place' in the article Compare
Online Meeting Software. It offers everything that adobe connect
offers PLUS 24 hour technical support and has been given a rating of 5 stars
for usability! Cons include the cost feature and that average meeting size is
15 participants.
Blackboard Collaborate
offers the same variety of tools of the previous two that are needed for synchronous
learning including real time communication, ability to annotate slides, use of
white board, ability to make timed quizzes and many more features. etc. According to the article Blackboard Collaborate Reviews cons to blackboard include
the cost feature, and the loading of presentations is not as user friendly as
other platforms. Also blackboard seems to be better for a classroom situation
and not a meeting room.
Google Hangout is the only
free version of synchronous learning I looked at. It provides minimal versions
of the previous three platforms but has three really series pros 1) It is free
which is appealing and 2) it is extremely user friendly and 3) the ability to
use Google Docs to share and create with their peers. Cons include the limited
number of participants. There can only be ten participants at a time. who can
be in the session at a time . Hangout seems best to work with small groups
collaborating together - perhaps a group of students working on a project
together.
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