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Logging has been enabled. Canadian Association for Distance Education MAUD Seminar on Teaching via the Internet Metcalfe Room Getting the Right Mix - Terry Anderson
Terry is moderating. |
| sharon | Sharon Roy | Laurentian University | |
| terry | Terry Anderson | U. of Alberta |
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Margareth says: hi Sylvia hi Terry Sylvia says: hiall Sharon says: Hello to Terry, Sylvia, and Margareth Terry says: I guess we'll just wait a few minutes to see who finds the room! Gregt says: hello Terry says: Hi greg Kathim says: Hi! Who is present Don says: Don Gregt says: hi Terry the first real virtuall Margareth says: Margareth Terry says: If you type "look" you can see the names of the 7 of us now here. Don says: don Terry says: Ok, Let's get this show on the go! Don says: How do I tell you I'm here? Terry says: I will first say, that an expereinced MAUD/MOOer I am NOT! Gregt says: I was sure I was here, but now I'm not - this sounds like a country and western song but I do need to know if I am in the Metcalfe Room. Terry says: In fact I'm a little sceptical about the utility for learning of synchronous tools in general and text ones in partciular Kathim says: I'm here (or maybe there??in a virtual sort of way) but I don't see my name on the list. Does anyone see Kathim on the list? Terry says: second, please forgive my atrocious spelling and typing. Margareth says: yes Kathim Terry says: What I thought we could do in this session is brain storm about when syncronous communications (in a group) has value in distanc education context. Terry says: I can lead off with a few examples of the value of synchronous, but would love to have input and discussion as I type along. Don says: If all the ointerruptions we're experiencing today were part of a course, it would be difficult to learn very much. Margareth says: I'm not sure. It can develop a greater sense of belonging, perhaps Terry says: You are right Don, I have been at the grand daddy of MOOS, Diversity University and they are much better at setting private spaces, which do not allow interruptions Gregt says: I can see this being of interest to a specific specific type of student - but these may be very few indeed. Terry says: The first point that comes to my mind is the value of immediacy. Terry says: Immediacy is taken for granted in face-to-face (f2f), but rarely expereinced in distance ed (DE) Kathim says: we've just gone through a similar experience using multi-site videoconferencing. The participants didn't like the back and forth because of the limitationsof the technology. I am hoping to learn how to structure syncronous communications in alternative delivery. Margareth says: there's been literature to suggest that immediacy is a necessary component of a good distance ed experience Gregt says: immmediacy is a good point but this is text in the extreme and we understand that graphics are the way of the future. Terry says: So its first value is its familiarity Margareth says: but can't we gain immediacy through asynchronous contact? Don says: I like what I've read which says that some students , esp. quiet types, appreicate the opportunity to compose their responses to questions/comments in their own time, which speaks to the benefits of asynchronous forms of communication. Terry says: This is of course off set with the "unfamilarity" of text based discussion Terry says: Immediacy also allows for instant clarification and can cut short misenterpretation Don says: The other benefit of asynchronous is that I don't need to waste time waiting for tohers to enter things on a keyboard! Don says: change tohers to others. Sylvia says: this type of synchronous seems to allow for composition of response in a minor way Gailt says: what session topic is this? Terry says: If I use the example of this conference, it wasn't until Stephen, Jeff, Margareth and I got together here, in real time, that the thing actually got organized. Margareth says: "Getting the Right mix Gregt says: what are anticipated future directions for this technology? Terry says: But it could have been done using email, or CMC - but things didn't work out using those media Margareth says: Yes working on the MAUD was much quicker than e-mail and CMC and cheaper than an audioconference Terry says: I like the Palace system http://www.thepalace.com as it allows the same type of inetraction we see on this MAUD, but is MUCH easier to learn and supports graphics Michael says: What does CMC mean? Margareth says: CMC means computer mediated conferencing Terry says: Sorry Michael, CMC is Computer Mediated Communications or computer conferencing, First Class, Lotus Notes etc. Margareth says: actually, this is a form of CMC Margareth says: But most people equate CMC with a conferencing system such as First Class Michael says: Thank you Terry says: The definiations change weekly (at least!!) Keng says: I imagine the future will combine voice, graphics, and text. Familiarity will help control the confusion. Margareth says: Terry tell us more about the Palace system Terry says: I agree with Ken, I think these MOOs/MAUDS are too confusing for all but the real keeners. Terry says: The Palace is a VERY slick tool from Times Warner, costs $20.00 to register, and allows you to move through the environemnt by clicking on doors and moving from room to room. Terry says: It is designed with a castle format now, but we are hoping to build a University campus on the server here at U. of A. Peterg says: if this technology had a way of threading, it would help enormously. Margareth says: does it allow for better real-time conversation Sharon says: what is threading? Gregt says: to what degree is the sucess of this medium determined by the content being delivered? Terry says: When you type a comment it appears as a "Ballon" above the head of your charcater. Terry says: You can easily see what and who is in the room. Terry says: Most of these environemnts have been used for "soft science" and arts type courses, Greg. Do you think it lends itself to a particular type of content? Sharon says: Does each person "appear" as an image on the computer screen? Terry says: Yes, Sharon each person gets to create a character, which can be a real photo of yourself, a cartoon and animal or whatever. Gregt says: I would see this as useful in creative writing and in various communication technology and related fields. Margareth says: What about math Gregt says: it seems when the process is as important as the content, this approach would be useful. Terry says: some of the folks at Diversity University are building blackboards and WWW interfaces, so math aids will probably be available soon. Margareth says: The question remains what is the right mix? Kathim says: Terry, I'm not quite certain of the purpose of this session? Is there some structure? Terry says: I think that is true Greg. Keng says: I think any real-time forum would only be one component of a course, so why not math? Margareth says: I think the ability to interact with others in distance education is a real asset, but I'm not sure it needs to be synchronous Peterg says: It seems to me that a major feature of this technology is social rather than as a means of getting content. Terry says: Another value of syncronous, may be to eliminate what Liz Burge found in her dissertation on computer conferencing, as the sense that students had of being "out of synch" with the rest of the class. Sylvia says: It seems when DE courses use some pacing and see the need for a group discussion that this format would be useful Gregt says: While it is true that almost any content could be put in this format, video, TV and many other media have demonstrated that this can be folly. Margareth says: Sylvia I think using it to provide pacing is probably one good use Terry says: Some would argue that divideing learning from social is impossible Peter! Terry says: I've also noticed that having parties on these systems is a lot of fun, and something missing from many DE classes - even those using computer conferencing. Margareth says: Sylvia does group discussion require / Keng says: I agree with the pacing idea, and perhaps a weekly mud for a limited time would be sufficient. Sylvia says: I can also see using this format as an option to student groups for groupwork or just to meet in the lounge which seems to be important for some Margareth says: Yeah, that would provide the social aspect too. Gregt says: It is probably true that dividing learning from social is impossible - but what is to say that this type of "virtual separation" will not be the future of social life. Terry says: I think it is useful when students are breaking up a cooperative work project, assigning tasks etc. This can drag on for days or weeks using asynch. Margareth says: Sylvia, group work can go on in asynchronous time. Michael says: Could someone clearly explain the differences between asynch. and synch? Margareth says: Terry do you see a future for a more improved MAUD or are conferencing systems going to be the wave of the future Terry says: Michael, synch or synchronous is any communications in which particpants are available in "real time" like a phone call or this MAUD. Don says: I agree with the need for threading. It's absolutely essential. exit Terry says: ASynch is store and forward, like voice mail, email or most forms of computer conferencing. Keng says: So what's the right mix? Canned course work + email for detailed communication + maud for socializing and quick exchange of ideas? If so, in what proportion? Terry says: To answer Margareth's question, I don't see a HUGE future in synch stuff for DE, except for special functions. I assume though that a full featured DE system will provide both options. Terry says: Ken, I was afraid you were going to ask ME that question. Margareth says: That's true. First Class offers on-line chats Sylvia says: I think that the right mix depends on the learners and the content. A well planned de course needs to take both into consideration and multi-modes need to be used. Terry says: To summarize what I think we've said, Synchronous communications can be useful for pacing, heightened socil interaction, and confusing students!!!! (just kidding" Sharon says: I would think the "right mix' depends on a lot of specific things, such as course content, geography, student resources, etc. Terry says: And probably suits the learning style of certain groups of learners, and maybe certain subjects - such as philosophy Terry says: I think you are right Sharon, there probably never will be one perfect medium, but I am beginning to think that there is a place for group, syncronous discussion in a DE program. Warrenw says: may i join this discussion as a session jumper? Sylvia says: Are there figures anywhere comparing the relative costs of using the maud vs audioconference/videoconference? Keng says: Using maud would also require some convincing of the powers-that-be that socializing might be useful to DE students. My university doesn't usually allow anyone to use maud. Terry says: Sure, But it may be time to start the second sessions, I'll ask Labatt Sharon says: I know that our de students really want opportunities for sycronous discussions, either soical or academic. Warrenw says: i beleive that that is a big issue with individuals learners but we need a protocaol for discussion like ham radio? Terry says: Stephen says we should finish up in 5 minutes. Terry says: Why are they releuctant to let students use this tool Ken? Sylvia says: Perhaps mauds need to be funded out of the tuition monies that de students pay that goes towards buildings on campuses. Sharon says: we need protocol, as this seminar illustrates. Peterg says: Does ham radio accomodate groups? Terry says: I agree with Sharon, but part of the problem is the HUGE learning curve to learn to use these MOOS/Mauds. I think systems like Palace will be much more useful. Warrenw says: i don't think so but at end of message it is "out" and at end of transmission is "over and out" Gregt says: It may be that the technology is too new to have an application beyond a modification of an existing approach (e.g., early TV simply taped a live speaker. We may find a uniquely MAUD approach that is not simply a "make do". Sharon says: Terry, our university will not allow the use of any mud system because it can't handle the demands Mud makes if very many people use it. Terry says: I just noticed that there are 29 people in this room, but only about 7-8 have said anything. I guess this is normal for any group. Comments? Gregt says: Usually this is the case! Keng says: Terry, I think it probably comes from the idea that university comp. accounts should be used for 'serious' work, while chat formats are associated with sex forums and so forth. Terry says: Care to speculate on what that type on\f new application might be, Greg Warrenw says: the fact that real time keyboarding is required is somewhat daunting considering my skills and conversation that goes by missed Terry says: I guess the adminstrators really need to take a trip here or to Diversity Unievrsity to SEE there current educational application. Terry says: Well, I think our time is up. Thanks for hanging in there. Let's try to find session 2!! Terry says: any final comments to me can be addressed asynch. to Terry.Anderson@UALberta.ca Gregt says: Terry, it may be that we develop new concepts of communication that build upon the inherent features of MAUD in the same way that we developed ways of communicating post printing press. It is my firm belief that technoilogy drives content and not the other way around. Terry says: Thanks again for coming and adding your wisdom, to the room! Terry says: Great point Greg! I'm excited to see how we educators adapt to these technologies as well - hope it isn't like dinosaurs Logging has been disabled.
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