Comments on: Is Synchronous Distance Learning Worth the Trouble? http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/ Experiences, curriculum thoughts, and technology rants related to educational videoconferencing. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:08:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: rodbrent http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-25193 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:47:46 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-25193 I thought that you and your audience might like to know that National Distance Learning Week is coming up this November 10. I just interviewed the National Director, Dr. Ken Hartman. You can hear the interview and learn more at http://www.RodsPulsePodcast.com.

Regards,
Rodney B. Murray, Ph.D.

]]> By: The Tech Savvy Educator » Blog Archive » Forum Friday - Time to Think! http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-23037 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:26:02 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-23037 [...] Blog to get you Thinking about WHY LEARNERS NEED TO BE CONNECTED Videoconferencing Out on a Lim Janine Lim is an inspiring VC evangelist. If there’s a resource out there that will help you connect your classroom with an expert, another class halfway around the world, or just go on a virtual field trip, Janine has found it. She talks tech, instruction, and the why it’s so important to stay focused on the kids when connecting classes around the world to …. [...]

]]> By: Does a screwdriver make a good hammer? | VC Rox http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-22500 Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:03:30 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-22500 [...] medium. This was highlighted in T.H.E. Journal article, “Face Time” in January. Then, Janine posted her rant which got me thinking about what is the value of synchronous vs. asynchronous and how they [...]

]]> By: Jocelyn Littlefair http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-22059 Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:12:11 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-22059 I teach Sr. High Second Languages to remote endpoints… but when I describe my position, I far prefer using the term “blended technologies” delivery over videoconferencing delivery. Semantics? Possibly. VC offers personal communication that is so valuable, and yet used by itself, VC may be somewhat limiting as a sole delivery method for the synchronous environment. We need to spice it up:)

I find that my challenge is to engage my students without always leading the class… Using other synchronous devices for the students to interact with each other during the class (Elluminate, Bridgit, chat rooms, etc) adds depth and an authenticity to the DE game.

Using VC in addition to relevant asynchronous CMCs (moodles, Desire2Learn, etc), and the students get a far more rounded experience.

And as far as the “that’s what a classroom is for” argument originally delivered, this simply doesn’t represent realities in so much of rural Alberta. Students, no matter where they live, deserve secondary specialist teachers. Secondary specialist teachers (especially physics, second languages, etc) are few and far between… and those willing to move to remote locations are even fewer! VC, in conjunction with other blended technologies, offers the opportunity for one teacher to facilitate a course for a dozen or more students synchronously across a distance of hundreds of kilometers without the inconvenience of the teacher leaving his/her community.

]]> By: Chris Lawrence http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21966 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:55:21 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21966 First of all I am skeptical of all vendor quotes. I am also getting increasingly frustrated by the either/or…”better” debate. Seems to me a talented and creative educator blends available tools towards their educational goals. I for one am excited by the potential of both delivery methods either in isolation or in blended ways, rather than choosing sides in some pointless turf battle.

]]> By: Roxanne Glaser http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21944 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 01:25:40 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21944 I am a graduate of Pepperdine’s OMET program (USDLA Platinum winner last year) and it was way back in 2000 (pre blogs, pre wikis, pre RSS feeds). It was around the time of the beginnings of CMS/LMS systems.

Our program was a blend of face-to-face and online. The online portion was a blend of synchronous chat, asynch newsgroups, asynch/sync groupwork. We did not have Skype or any videoconference possibilities. It was an amazing experience based on social constructivist learning theory and I learned more than I have in any other “formal” learning environment before or since.

That is a lot to say that the most effective educational environments are ones that are learner-based and not one-size fits all. I am thankful that there are so many of us dedicated to synchronous experiences that are worth the effort. That is our challenge to ensure that we use the correct medium to fit the learning objectives and subject matter.

I am glad that those comments were at the end of the article. It makes us deepen our understanding of our practice. One other key in addition to what Ken commented is that live interactive videoconferencing challenges students to listen, pay attention, articulate well, and think on their feet!

]]> By: Ken Conn http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21942 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:48:07 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21942 That part of the article bothered me too. Like Janine said, saying asynchronous learning is more valuable that synchronous learning really isn’t right. It would all depend on the activity the students were participating in. For example, you could interview an author online through a discussion board or some other type of asynchronous tool, but doing it synchronously through videoconferencing is so much more powerful due to simple things like the inflections placed in the questions and responses as well as the body language of the participants.

]]> By: Janine Lim http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21931 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:00:22 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21931 Thanks for the comment, Jason.

And, think about it. Would Kasey be as exciting if she was just on a video tape? I don’t think so! :) It’s the interaction of Mote Marine’s programs that make them so great. Real time face to face interaction!

]]> By: Jason http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21919 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:46:15 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21919 Well, distance learning is about making time and space irrelevant. Asynchronous learning eliminates both those considerations. IVC eliminates only the latter.

But then again, isn’t Ericson somewhat biased since he sells asynchronous solutions?

Another point in favor of IVC is for events that are time dependent. There is something to be said for experiencing concerts, special guests or even space launches contemporaneously. And it’s not just a matter of what’s happening on the screen but also what’s happening in the audience.

]]> By: Janine Lim http://vcoutonalim.org/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21914 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:24:22 +0000 http://bcisdvcs.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/is-synchronous-distance-learning-worth-the-trouble/#comment-21914 Are you thinking of full length courses, Steve?

Coz I’m thinking of short enrichment events….

Janine

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