“Can You Hear Me Now?Good!”

Using Webcams and Blackboard to Create a Virtual Classroom

Introduction

Who we are…

Myrna Finn, Ed. D. Theatre & Speech Communication Department, Salem State College

Christine Geiger, B.A.Educational Technology Specialist

What Were We Thinking?

• Myrna’s Question: “What happens when technology is pushed to its limits and creativity is harnessed in the service of education?”

• Christine’s Reality

If We Build It… They Will Come(and then what?)

• Time• People• Money • Technology

Stumbling Blocks…

• Personnel support • Platform costs• Access to technology• Tech support for students

Design Concerns

• Visual concerns• Content presentation• Group interaction

A-Ha! Solutions to Our Problems

• Non-verbal play MP3/video • Content problems Vignettes

created• 1:1/small group still an issue…

They Came……Our First “Explorers” … Fall 2002

• Population• First meeting • Exhaustion factor!

This is the “Then What…”

Samples: week four, week five, week six, week seven

Benefits of a Virtual Classroom

• Cut down on travel delays• Reach out and touch everybody• Intimacy• Students as creative learners • Community

Limitations of a Virtual Classroom

• Touch factor• Non-verbal behaviors• Managing classroom environment• Content compromised

Technology Migraines

• Home vs. lab students• “Zapping” interlopers• CUWorld tech support• Technology as obstacle &

detractor

Feedback from the Explorers

• Interpersonal learnings• Technology learnings• “Lights on, nobody’s home…”• Comfort level • Technology as detractor

We asked: What happens when technology is

pushed to its limits and creativity is harnessed in the service of education?”

To Teach, Or Not To Teach An Online Course

• Rewards• Taking risks• Abandon preconceptions

To Teach, Or Not To Teach An Online Course (continued)

• Stress! • Support is key• Advertise the course• Does it deliver the goods?

And in the end…

It all works in the end and we all live happily ever after (and are impeccable communicators!)

We’re Sure You Have Questions

Let’s hear them!

Thank you for coming to our presentation!

-- Myrna and Christine