Vyew:A Classroom's Adventure
into Online Collaboration
I have mentioned in previous posts that exposure to the sheer volume of technology can often be overwhelming. Whether it is blogs, wikis, or podcasts, there exists almost unlimited instructional potential these technologies present, and I struggle to create some order to it all. Furthermore, I am not even sure if these technologies are accomplishing my intended goals. Lately, I began to realize that while I was worried about created an online read/write platform, my class was developing a collaborative community right under my nose.
About one month ago, I asked five students to participate in an online experiment utilizing Skype and an online interactive whiteboard called Vyew . Vyew is a free, always on collaboration and web conferencing site that allows individuals real-time desktop sharing and capturing. I met with this small group of students, and we began what was essentially on online tutoring session for an upcoming essay. We did nothing that had not been done during the course of a classroom session, except we were all in our individual homes, and it was 8:30 p.m.. I began to sense, over the course of that hour long session, a wave of energy and enthusiasm from the participants. One month later, this concept of online collaboration has taken on a life of is own. Just last night, twenty sophomores from my A.P. European History classes, met online and did a Skype - Vyew session in preparation for an essay exam today. The remarkable thing is, I was not even a part of it. Individual initiative got last night's conference off the ground. More power to the students!
This was exactly the medicine I needed.
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14 comments:
Mr. Aroune,
I found last night's skype-vyew conference really inspiring. It was neat to see how much information was obtained by just a bunch of us. It was only in class when we showed you it that I realized how much work we put into it, and during the unit test, I saw how much more we got out of it than the traditional reading over our notes. We got to bounce ideas off eachother, and learned from eachother, but more importantly, it made studying fun. How many kids can honestly say that they find studying fun? Not many, I'll tell you that much. But I think all of us who took part in the conference can agree that vyew was able to make studying fun for us and worthwhile. Thank you Mr. Aroune for showing us all of this technology. It makes learning easier for everyone and a lot more fun than other classes. I look forward to using vyew regularly with my classmates. It is a very rewarding experience.
I agree that the proliferation of technology seems to be going unfettered by its ultimate usefulness. Some are concerned that the social networks that take place on-line replace the interpersonal, which ultimately may not benefit a young student's abilities to relate. I, however, feel that it brings us closer to each other. Nevertheless, those of us who have lived through the primitive DOS era (and still remember DOS commands) and the hype of Y2k struggle to determine whether technology is there to help or to drain our wallets. For those of us who do not have high-speed internet access - and are therefore unable to take advantage of the 20-student study group you mention in your blog, we feel the pull of technology but do not always have access to the benefit.- - Faith's Mom
I agree that the proliferation of technology seems to go unfettered by thoughts of its overall usefulness. For those of us who lived through the primitive DOS era AND the hype of Y2k, we often struggle to determine whether technology benefits or merely drains our wallets. And as our children spend more time on-line we are concerned that their on-line communities are replacing their interpersonal ones. Finally, for those of us without high-speed internet access, and who therefore cannot share 20-student study groups, we feel the benefit of technology passing us by.
I agree that the proliferation of technology seems to go unfettered by thoughts of its overall usefulness. For those of us who lived through the primitive DOS era AND the hype of Y2k, we often struggle to determine whether technology benefits or merely drains our wallets. And as our children spend more time on-line we are concerned that their on-line communities are replacing their interpersonal ones. Finally, for those of us without high-speed internet access, and who therefore cannot share 20-student study groups, we feel the benefit of technology passing us by. - Faith's Mom
In my opinion, Vyew is very easy to use and helpful. In the calm, relaxed environment of my home, I found it easier to concentrate and think clearly about the material. Rather than reluctantly studying on my own, with questions I had trouble answering, collaborating with classmates made reviewing the information much less intimidating and productive.
Hi! Being that we ourselves are not a very computer literate family, we appreciate what you are trying to accomplish. We understand the risks involved, but knowledge is far more important. With guidance between teachers, parents, and students New Technologies must be encouraged. We believe that these new technologies have stirred the interest of the students to further educate themselves and others. Thank You, Shari & Joe
Kostelny
Matthew is enjoying the Skype - Vyew sessions. What a great way to encourage each other and study.
A Genders
My daughter is a Sophomore in your AP Euro class. I am delighted to see her enthusiam each time you have introduced her to a new form of technology. "Social Studies", I'm showing my age, has never been my strong point and I find it difficult to help her. Your class has changed that.
I work for a company that was recently bought by a company in MA. My boss works in there. We have created wikis to communicate and compile information regarding projects we are working on. We also use Skype to keep in contact. This is a real world example of how what you're teaching them can be used productively!
Thank-you for your enthusiam and hard work!
Lori Ferger
Mr. A
I feel that Scyping and using the website vyew has been an excellant resource to use in completing the most recent project that you assigned. I also feel that we can communicate better with everyone in general then ever before. Technology has indeed improved over the years and has been a lot of help in most cases but hazardous in few cases. I feel that if we utilize our ideas and use ALL of the websites that you have been giving to us, then and only then, will we ever be able to understand thouroughy what is needed to tap into the world wide web and gain more knowledge to understand everything.
The best way to study for tests is to discuss questions with other students. Sometimes, you answer their questions and other times you get yours answered. The power of skype and vyew allows students to interact the same as, if not better than, being face to face to the other students. Keep bringing the new technology forward and allowing us to apply it your class. It's working great!
Mr. Aroune, I have to say that this is an awesome site because I can use it and have fun at the same time. Thank you for showing us!
Thanks for the description of Vyew + Skype. I'm a teacher at a private school in Georgia and I can imagine applying Vyew + Skype with my kids for "distance studying".
My students are far flung and face-to-face study sessions are impossible in many cases -- but not now!
Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the idea, and the inspiration. I just did my first homework club with my fifth grade students using Vyew. I got two students, but I'm very hopeful that this will grow in subsequent sessions.
IvYB8W The best blog you have!
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