On Tools and Collaborative Projects
I am getting back to this blog later than I should have, but
other work leapt into its place. Even though my work for it was strung out a
bit, this module proved quite useful as I now have a number of alternative ways
of communicating with students in an online course. All these tools function
basically the same way: you download the software, create an account, create
the file, and then link to your file with a url. My daughter thought Voki was
especially entertaining. I feel confident that I can use all these tools, for
they are all quite simple. I think I could introduce any of these tools to
students during a course and get them to use them, since a four-minute video
tutorial seems sufficient. What to use these tools for is another question and
I need to start thinking this through more seriously.
I think our group project went okay. We got going on it
early and we discussed each other’s work, but we discussed that work within the
collaborative document and this seemed to make the document a bit of a mess. So
when it came time to hand in our evaluation, I think it required a lot from the
people whose job it was to winnow the paper down to size and make it coherent.
It seems to me that one of two things need to occur when working on such a
document: we either needed two documents – a rough, messy, discussion document,
and then a cleaner version in which the contributors only try to write narrative
that advances toward the final document. Or, perhaps there is the collaborative
document that everyone works on, but discussions about it occur in a forum.
On a final note, I find it a bit awkward to record myself
(either my image or voice) and use it. I wonder if you just get used it to it,
or if there is some etiquette or protocol to doing these things (rules of
production?, tips?) that would make me feel better in what I am doing?
Nick, good points about working with a group on a collaborative writing project. Maybe having 2 separate files would work better.
ReplyDeleteAs far as tips for making a selfie video, I would suggest a few things:
1. Don't get too close to the camera, especially if you are looking at a script of notes that might be at the top of your monitor.
2. Pay attention to the lighting. It's best if the light is somewhat in front of you so you don't look like a silhouette.
3. Write a script or at least jot down the main points that you will be talking about.
4. Practice a few times so you won't really need the script and you'll feel more confident and comfortable talking.
5. Look at the camera or at least near the camera. Again if you are farther back, your eye direction will be harder to detect.
6. Make sure you are in a quiet place.
7. Relax and have fun. It's ok if it's not perfect. Students just want to see and hear you and know that you are a real person.
8. Try to have the camera a bit above you rather than looking up at you.
9. Keep it short.
From the number of forum posts for the other groups, I suspect they did more of the discussion in the forum rather than the document (though I didn't read their posts to find out). That said, I think the final edit would've been easier if my proposed format for reviewing our sections had taken into account the need to convert the comments into a narrative rather than structuring the whole thing around the rubric--I missed that part of the directions somehow! (Yes, even librarians don't always read things carefully. :-) )
ReplyDeleteHi Nicholas, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the second module of the course. To talk to your point about how messy your collaborative project got, I think that is kinda part of the collaborative process. Yeah the instructor could set out specific instructions and areas for you to discuss and construct a report, but I think that is part of the learning process. Since I was not in your group I had a different experience. Our group was similar to what Cynthia mentioned, we did most of our discussion in the forum part and we did all of our collaboration in the live editable document and it seemed to work pretty well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your concern with how to include these various tools in a way that enhances the course. However, I do not think all of the tools need to be so cut and dry. Some of the tools like Voki can be used for more fun elements in the course. So get creative and I am sure you will think of some great ways!