Zoom is the program that seems to have obtained the most buzz in the space of online conferences, perhaps because it is available to all, full-featured in even the free version, and extremely easy to use for both instructors an participants.
This ten minute video does a great job of introducing the program from a teacher's perspective:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9guqRELB4dg
Another good video with details about setting up the audio/video that I think is quite helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTSJ0YDoF7o
Here is another video for beginning Zoom online teachers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTXUmoNsgg0
This one explains how to join a Zoom meeting in several different ways. Very clear.
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362193-Joining-a-Meeting
I've looked at two alternatives for online classrooms: Canvas Conferences with Bigbluebutton and Zoom. Here are some pros and cons:
* Zoom can run outside Canvas, which might make it easier for students to access on a phone, or at least it will require less explanation for them to access it.
* Conferences is nice because it is in the Canvas class and all students are automatically in it once they are in your class. One place for everything could be nice, too.
* Conferences has a "polling" function to allow you to check comprehension from within the Conference. Zoom does not have this, though it allows you to give a thumb up or down.
Zoom and Conferences each have their own look and feel. At this point I don't see a clear favorite but recommend trying both out. I may update this post with additional information later. OK, so it turns out that Bigbluebutton in Canvas Conferences is limiting their availability to 10 simultaneous classes, so it might not work for us. Zoom jumps ahead in preferences.
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Canvas Tools: Conferences is Alternative to Zoom
Conferences: There is a very interesting online class tool built into Canvas called Conferences. The best way to learn about it is to log into Canvas, click into conferences and then watch the informational videos. There are videos for students to learn about it and for instructors. You could assign students to watch the student video to prepare them for using Conferences. I have copied the link to the intro video for teachers here: BigBlueButton/Canvas Conferences
More links to YouTube videos: Video on Conferences and This one.
Features:
* Students log in and then their icons appear along the side in the chat window.
* Teacher can share their webcam and students can as well, lots of control over this for teacher.
* Teacher can share presentation, PDF, share a Youtube video, or share their desktop.
* Students can chat with class, with individuals, or with the teacher in a side bar.
* Teacher can promote student to be presenter.
* There is a white board that the teacher can draw on or set it for students to write on.
* Teacher can break the class down into separate break out sessions for group work and then bring them back together.
* Teacher can conduct mini quizzes while presenting.
* Session can be recorded (It says that this is somewhat limited to keeping session for 14 days. Not sure if you can download it to share again later.)
Very impressive alternative to Zoom or Panopto, I'd say. It is also discussed by ELAD in Conferencing Comparisons where they mention Conferences, Zoom, and Cranium Cafe.
Based on the intro videos, I am strongly considering using this for my synchronous lecturing in my class spring quarter. It seems to have all the tools you might need. I just need to check on how to preserve the recordings for longer than 14 days in some way.
More links to YouTube videos: Video on Conferences and This one.
Features:
* Students log in and then their icons appear along the side in the chat window.
* Teacher can share their webcam and students can as well, lots of control over this for teacher.
* Teacher can share presentation, PDF, share a Youtube video, or share their desktop.
* Students can chat with class, with individuals, or with the teacher in a side bar.
* Teacher can promote student to be presenter.
* There is a white board that the teacher can draw on or set it for students to write on.
* Teacher can break the class down into separate break out sessions for group work and then bring them back together.
* Teacher can conduct mini quizzes while presenting.
* Session can be recorded (It says that this is somewhat limited to keeping session for 14 days. Not sure if you can download it to share again later.)
Very impressive alternative to Zoom or Panopto, I'd say. It is also discussed by ELAD in Conferencing Comparisons where they mention Conferences, Zoom, and Cranium Cafe.
Based on the intro videos, I am strongly considering using this for my synchronous lecturing in my class spring quarter. It seems to have all the tools you might need. I just need to check on how to preserve the recordings for longer than 14 days in some way.
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Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Some Apps you May Already Use in Grounded Classrooms
Some basics that a lot of teachers use in grounded (classes taught in classrooms) classes as well as in an online environment.
Socrative: One of the apps that teachers can use to get students engaged in game like activities that also allow a assessment on the fly of how well students understand what you have just been teaching. There is a free version and a paid version. The teaching app can be installed to your phone or Chrome. Very easy to use. I have enjoyed the space race, quizzes, and quick question features.
Kahoot: It is very easy for the teacher to set up and very easy for the students to access and answer. It seems lately that Kahoot is more popular among our faculty than Socrative, but they fill a similar purpose of making learning and assessment immediate and fun. [Kahoot is currently offering free use of the pro version for schools going online due to the Novel Coronavirus 3/21]
Quizlet: This is one I've used for flash cards and find it is both good with class and for individual study. You can set up a deck of flashcards and assign it to students to drill with. You can also ask them to create a deck themselves and share it with you and/or classmates.
Quizizz: This one is one I haven't tried yet but it suggests that unlike Kahoot's emphasis on being fastest and first, this one allows students to move at their own speed rather than competing on time with the class.
Here is a link to a blogger who has reviewed some of these programs and others:
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/
Socrative: One of the apps that teachers can use to get students engaged in game like activities that also allow a assessment on the fly of how well students understand what you have just been teaching. There is a free version and a paid version. The teaching app can be installed to your phone or Chrome. Very easy to use. I have enjoyed the space race, quizzes, and quick question features.
Kahoot: It is very easy for the teacher to set up and very easy for the students to access and answer. It seems lately that Kahoot is more popular among our faculty than Socrative, but they fill a similar purpose of making learning and assessment immediate and fun. [Kahoot is currently offering free use of the pro version for schools going online due to the Novel Coronavirus 3/21]
Quizlet: This is one I've used for flash cards and find it is both good with class and for individual study. You can set up a deck of flashcards and assign it to students to drill with. You can also ask them to create a deck themselves and share it with you and/or classmates.
Quizizz: This one is one I haven't tried yet but it suggests that unlike Kahoot's emphasis on being fastest and first, this one allows students to move at their own speed rather than competing on time with the class.
Here is a link to a blogger who has reviewed some of these programs and others:
https://ditchthattextbook.com/game-show-classroom-comparing-kahoot-quizizz-quizlet-live-and-quizalize/
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