Facilitating Online Discussion in e-Learning

Glen Farrelly March 2011

Session Agenda

1.Introduction2.Synchronous Online Discussion

1.Webcasts2.Web Conferencing3.Webinars4.Instant Messaging

3.Asynchronous Online Discussion1.Blogs2.Forums

Learning Outcomes

• Learn key terms• Determine key technologies &

leading companies• Identify requirements & caveats• Share best practice• Answer questions

Hierarchy of Internet Media

INTERNET

EmailInstant

Messaging Website

BlogSocial

NetworkingSite

VoIP

ForumMobile

Website

Streamingaudio/video

WikiVirtual world

Podcast & Online

video

Internet MediaAsynchronous Synchronous

Blog Instant messaging (chat)

Email Voice Over IP (VoIP)

Forums Webcast (live)

Podcast Webinar (live)

Webcast/webinar (archived) Virtual worlds

Webpage

Synchronous Online Discussion

Plan:1.Key terms & defining features–Leading products–Requirements–Best practice & caveats

discussion

Synchronous Discussion

• Key termso Webcasto Webinaro Web conferenceo Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

• Related terms:o Streaming o Podcasto Digital videoo Video hosting service

Synchronous Discussion

Webcast

• One to many• Streaming • Live or on-demand• Video or audio• No audience interaction

Webinar

• Web seminar• Live or on-demand• Often use presentations

or screen sharing• Audience interaction

not required

Web Conferencing

• Live• One to many or one to one• Interactive• Collaborative

ROLES: • As participant:

o Question or comment via the chat boxo Direct messages to everyone or presentero Indicate your “status” via icons

• As host or presenter:o Invite attendeeso Lead session o Field questions or notes openly or privately

Web Conferencing & Webinars

Webinars & WebcastsRequirements for presenter & audience:• Computer no more than 4-5 years old • High-speed Internet connection• Media player or plug-in (e.g. Flash, Real Player)• Speakers

To record:• Webcam or digital video recorder • Microphone (often built into camera)• Sufficient lighting & low ambient noise levels

Leading Products

Skype • Cost: voice only free, video free if

under 2 users (otherwise $4.99/day, $8.99/month)

• Pros: easy to use; familiarity; established company; screen sharing

• Cons: cannot record; doesn’t have extensive functionality; software must be pre-downloaded

Adobe Connect:• Cost: uncertain - expensive• Pros: established company;

extensive functionality; can record easily

• Cons: learning curve; add-in software for presenters

Leading Products

Adobe Connect:• Uses Flash• Public or private• Live or canned

Features:• presentations• screen sharing• text-based chats and Q&A• interactive polls• audio or video integration

Leading Products

Slideshare's Zipcast • Cost: free for unlimited number

of participants• Pros: web-based (no

downloads); established company; social media integration

• Cons: cannot record; advertising present; not private (unless pay $19/month)

Leading Products

Vyew • Cost: free up to 10 people• Pros: can record; entirely

web-based (no downloads); additional functionality

• Cons: less well-known company; advertising present

Leading Products

Best Practice & Caveats

• How have you used web conferencing or webcasting software before?

• What technical or user hurdles have you encountered?

• Can you share an instance when any of these technologies helped achieve an educational outcome?

Instant Messaging

• Also known as chat• Real time• Not archived• No visual threads

method• Via Web or mobile

Chat short handBTW = by the wayGMTA = great minds think alikeIMHO = in my humble opinionK = okayLOL = laughing out loudTTFN = ta ta for now

:) = smile:( = sad:O = surprised;) = wink

Asynchronous Online Discussion

Plan:1.Key terms & defining features– Blogs – Forums

• Overview• Leading products• Considerations

– Best practice & caveats

Asynchronous Discussions

• Key termsoBlogoForum

• Related termsoCommentoThreadoSeed

Asynchronous Discussions

Blog

• Informal style• Topical• Chronological• Allow reader

comments

Blog

Forum

Characteristics of forums:• Asynchronous• Threaded• Archived

Forum

Forum

Leading Products

WonderCafe Cost: free for U.C.C. churchesPros: integration & promotion of UCC tools & resources; easy to use; familiarity; no advertising; hosted in Canada (probably)Cons: minimal design customization; uncertain privacy options

Google Groups Cost: freePros: familiarity; ease of use; privacy options; integration with other Google toolsCons: advertising based; little design customization

Leading Products

Facebook or LinkedIn GroupCost: freePros: familiarity (per user demographic); ease of use; integration with social networking featuresCons: advertising based; distractions, i.e. not cloistered experience; no design customization

Leading Products

Leading Products

Haiku (haikulearning.com)Cost: free for one classPros: privacy options; some design customization offered; extensive functionalityCons: overwhelming functionality; more complicated set-up; learning curve to use

Forum Considerations

• Required or optional participation• Moderated or open• Automated posting notification• Structured or free discussion• Seeded questions

Forum Considerations

• Presence of instructor & students• Anonymity• Teams or individual• Posting rules (e.g. number, word limit)• Code of conduct

Best Practice & Caveats

• What has been your experience with online discussions?

• Can you share any examples of the effective use of forums, blogs, or chat?

• Any offline lessons that apply online?

For More…

• InformationoWikipedia & Webopedia oHow Stuff Works

• GlenoTry my blog, Webslinger