edna.edu.au

Cognitive Load and Backchannel

We have been using a backchannel (Edmodo, me.edu.au or twitter) for various video conferences with varying levels of success.

Interesting research article from Jennifer Maddrell. (Old Dominion University)  The effective of backchannel on cognitive load.

Two key implementation points for mangaging video conferences:

• Ensure you give the audience cues on when to use the backchannel
• Give the backchannel a different purpose to the main channel
  

"While no research was found that specifically evaluates backchannel interactions in the computer-mediated classroom, findings in areas that share key features with this relatively new instructional phenomenon may shed light on the effects the backchannel has on cognitive load. In evaluating this prior research from synchronous text based discussions, laptop use during live face to face classes, CMC, and dialogue analysis, the findings seem to suggest support for both negative and positive effects on cognitive load. The potential for distraction, split attention, and redundancy effects may indicate backchannel interactions place unnecessary extraneous cognitive load on learners. However, findings may also suggest that the backchannel interactions directly facilitate learning through more effective and efficient processing of the to-be-learned material. Further, the signals and cues within the dialogue may help presenters to more effectively and efficiently sequence and transition within the presentation of content which may help to manage intrinsic cognitive load."

Also another area to think about is how much is the backchannel happening in a multi-modal course eg where you have a forum, interaction with a teacher etc.  Can a backchannel be an alternative pathway to the main educational program?  How do we provide this effectively for different context eg special education, gifted and talented?

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Tags: video conference cognitive load macict
Posted at 10:20AM Sep 25, 2009 by Concetta Gotlieb  |  Comments[2]

Speak My Language Wrap

Thank you for attending the 'Speak My Language' video conference series.  Please find attached a certificate of appreciation for each class from your school who attended.

Approximately 1860 students from students in all regions  were involved in the conference and stimulated extensive discussion and learning.

 The conference had three objectives:

• To show the diverse range of exciting projects happening in schools across NSW
• For the presenters to learn new skills in using technology to communicate
• For the centre to better understand how the video conference allows us to meet a range of learning objectives

The series ran very smoothly and over the three days, we have very few problems and we feel that we met these ojbectives.

Schools, students and projects

The types of projects that the students covered included:

•  Indigenous Digital Story Telling
• Beyond Visible - Breakthrough Technology
• Building an Indigenous Bush Garden
• Aboriginal Dance
• Aboriginal Art using paint
• Using iTouch and wikis in education
• Student Forums & Multiculturalism

If you would like any further information or contact details of the presenters please contact us macict@det.nsw.edu.au  or telephone on 9850 4310.  Also if you would like to organise a more intimate video conference with just one or two other schools please contact us.

Click here to participate in another video conference.

Video Conferencing Skills

We would like to congratulate the student presenters who spent hours learning to use the video conference equipment and getting over their nerves.  It was fantastic to see those students confidence develop.  We are very proud of the students for:

• The diversity of presentations
• Their ability to ask and answer questions
• Their ability to quickly understand how to use the new technology

If you would like to learn more about video conferencing or have your students participate in a similar 'Learn to VC' experience please see the the  Connected Classroom resource pages or email macict@det.nsw.edu.au or call on 9850 4317.

Video Conferencing Future Uses

Throughout the conference discussions with students and teachers have highlighted some of the benefits, limitations and creative uses of the video conferencing tools.    The types of issues include technical how tos such as the use of video when in the VC, sound issues and the ideal number of participants.  They also included teaching strategies such as the ideal length of a session, questioning techniques and the use of other devices whilst in the VC.  Click here for our summary of issues.

Also as a result of the learnings we will now be assisting a number of schools with projects in which they will use video conferencing to achieve a specific learning objective.  If you have a project that you would like explore please call us to discuss opportunities for connecting with other schools.  Click here to see some examples of projects that other schools are starting.

We would like to collect some data from this conference to inform future projects and as a resource for teachers who are interested in using the video conferencing equipment for classroom based learning.   We would like as many students as possible to complete a short survey  on what they learnt from the VC, we are also happy to have each class return one survey.

Thank you!

We really appreciate the efforts of all the presenters and participants.  We feel that you are all significant in shaping the future of technology and learning. 

 

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Tags: macict speakmylanguage video conference
Posted at 11:36AM Jul 01, 2009 by Concetta Gotlieb  | 

Feedback from Speak My Language

Feedback from Cathie Howe

student 5-8 presenting to student year 5 on iPods

The kids were excited.  They loved the topic of iPods.  The technology was new to them and they were very interested.  Loved the fact that every student had an iPod touch.  The are interested because they can do the things they like to do at home, a home technology integrated into the curriculum.  Each student has ownership.  It was probably something they hadn't thought of.  They were very interested in the apps, what was available, what apps were integrated into teaching and learning.  Interested in the fact that there were common apps.  Opportunity to personalise.  Times during the day when they could use it for gaming.

The session started some discussion on e-Portfolio using the wiki.  They are now thinking that they could have a page to showcase the best work they have done at school.

They enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions of a school that was far away.  Networking on a face-to-face basis.  Loved the fact that they could share the desktop.  They also liked the Voki, they asked if they could make Vokis at school.

Feedback on the video-conferencing process:

• Child presenters were excellent
• Students did look at the students and think they could do something similar
• Empowering for the students
• Think about the best camera angle when reading, perhaps standing, zooming in etc can help the students connect with their audience
• Practice speaking clearly, perhaps getting closer to the mic and standing would help
• They did have back-up notebook slides and pictures which helped us follow the presentation
• Images really helped students visualise what the students were explaining
• Students were asking teacher questions throughout the presentation - so perhaps some short breaks to talk in class groups would be good

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Tags: speak my language video conference macict
Posted at 10:18AM Jun 26, 2009 by Concetta Gotlieb  | 

Video Conference Reflection: Student Led Conferences

Today was the first day of the Speak My Language video conference series.  The conference as I've discussed on my blog before is designed by students for students. 

I think overwhelmingly it was a really good day and an amazing learning experience.   There are so many things to explore and think about these video conferences when done in the right way cover so many learning outcomes in such an authentic way.  For example distance, place, identity, talking and listening and of course the topics included in the conference.  The four key things I've taken away from today are:

• Buzz created - teachers and students are talking about what could be
• Context - we need a way to provide a bit of background about all the schools that are participating
• Kids love asking questions - we need to think about dynamic learning spaces that manage this
• Follow-up - people want to get involved - we need to ensure we are clear about the next steps

 

Aims of the conference:

• To expose teachers and students to their first ever VC experience
• To expose teachers to the possibilities of using their Connected Classroom in their program
• To allow students to talk about video conferencing projects they are involved in
• To allow students to talk about other interesting ways they use technology in their classrooms

 

The speakers:

• All did a excellent job especially considering it was the first time they had used the VC and many had very large audiences.
• Spent a number of sessions creating presentations and practicing their skills in using the VC.
• All seem to have learnt a lot from discussing what a video conference is and how they can be used.
• All enjoyed practicing their presentations with other schools.
• Presented on a variety of topics (today we heard about: breakthrough technology eg special satellites, planting Indigenous gardens, using video conference equipment to tell Indigenous stories)
• The Indigenous garden & storytelling sessions were very very popular 10 schools or more in each.  That's a lot of students.  Perhaps we can run these sessions again, but we will need to think about how we use these excellent resources wisely.

 

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Tags: student content macict connected classroom video conference
Posted at 07:06PM Jun 23, 2009 by Concetta Gotlieb  |  Comments[4]

Student Led Conference - Register Now!

Speak My Language

Video Conferencing for Students: 23-25 June, 2009
Download the Timetable .

Macquarie ICT Innovations Centre is hosting a video conference seminar for students which will feature students leading discussions and contributing ideas on inspiring technology and learning. Register now (Click on MacictVCWeek, Username macict, password macict) to listen to amazing young learners from across the state talk on topics as diverse as ipods, nanotechnology, Indigenous gardens, art and global connections.

Give your students a voice online and let them be a part of describing our future. We welcome your students to contribute their ideas and questions to our collaborative video below.
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Tags: macict speakmylanguage video conference students
Posted at 08:07AM Jun 18, 2009 by Concetta Gotlieb  |