Presentation Options for Online Students?

[Carl Oekerman]

I am trying to keep my online version of Interpersonal and Organizational Psychology (PSYC 111) roughly equivalent to what we do in the face to face version. One assignment involves a five minute summary of an informational interview. Another assignment involves a 15 minute presentation in which they teach the class something about a topic they have researched independently.

So far, the class has been fully asynchronous. I have not asked them to all log in at a particular time, and it's doubtful we could find a time where more than half of us could show up online (or in a classroom, for that matter, since they are all BTC students).

So I'm wondering what kind of options are out there. Honestly, I'm open to any and all suggestions. Here's what I'm aware of so far:

Elluminate sounds cool, but is it just for synchronized events?

Should I send students to the library to have a presentation recorded via webcam (unless they have one on their home computers)?

Many students put together a Power Point Presentation in my face to face class. However, I try to stress that their PPT shouldn't be the focus of their presentation, but rather support the material they are delivering in front of the class. That way they can't hide behind a podium.

Ironically, several of my current students listed as one of their goals for this class would be to improve their speaking/presentation skills. How can we do this online?

Send ideas soon ... Please!

[jeff4082]

Hi Carl,

This would be somewhat defendant on the technology available to the student.

A Google Docs "Presentation" might be an option (see attached screen capture). This would allow all to view the presentation with an internet connection.

They could also collaborate on a presentation:

http://www.google.com/apps/business/index.html#utm_medium=et&ut...

Of course they might want to do a podcast too...all doable if they embrace the technology.

Regards,

[Carl Oekerman]

Interesting!
I hadn't seen this (of course, I have only seen a tiny proportion of what's out there...)
When I went to the google.com/apps page, I couldn't click on the google docs icon. Is there a secret?

[jeff4082]

You need to sign up for a Google login.

[Carl Oekerman]

Got it! Thanks!

[Jen]

There are tons of options for this! Do you require audio and/or video? Here are just a few options:

http://voicethread.com/ They can load images and record their voice, video or type in text and then just post the link in the class.

http://www.slideshare.net/ They can load PPT slides and then record voice and synch it. They can share the link in class.

http://www.jingproject.com/ They can record their voice and computer screen at the same time. This is free and they can record up to 5 minutes. The file is then hosted at http://www.screencast.com/ and they can share the link.

They could just record themselves with a webcam and send you the file or put it on youtube.

[Jen]

This is my favorite resource for this type of tool:
http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/50+Ways

[Carl Oekerman]

Lots of good resources! I suspect the webcam idea is going to be the simplest and easiest for students to access.

This raises an issue about e-learning: What proportion of our students are already competent in using this technology and what proportion are recent immigrants (like yours truly) into the digital age?

For those students who are new to online learning, we are asking them to learn a new skill set while they are learning course content. What are the ramifications? Are we scaring off an entire demographic among our students? Are we scaring off an entire demographic among our potential instructors?

Three weeks into this online class, I find it exciting and overwhelming at the same time!

[Jane Blume]

I can see that the library needs to purchase a few items for students to use. We have a headset and camera for staff use, but will order a set for the students. The free software options are numerous. Anything else we should think about purchasing?

[Carl Oekerman]

Thanks Jane!
I guess I was a little premature in telling my students that the library had equipment they could access. (I was recalling that we had the gear, but it didn't register in my head that it was limited to staff use at this time).

Would it be a major expense for a webcam and microphone? Could students have access to this in one of the small meeting rooms (so they wouldn't have to record themselves out in the public area)?

Thanks for bearing with me as I learn my way into the new frontier...

[Jane Blume]

We just received one set from Computer Services late last week. I think the cost is less than $100. I wanted a student set so that there would not be a conflict with use. A couple of us are taking the moderator training to see if we could use Elluminate for reference questions for eLearning students, etc.

[tonykuphaldt]

Hi Jane (and Carl),

Sorry for the late response . . .

Just before the spring quarter ended, Satpal handed out Flip Video cameras for his instructors to use. I've been playing around with mine and I have to say this is the easiest videorecording device I've ever used. They're cheap, too (less than $150 apiece), run on AA batteries, connect to any PC just like a Flash drive, and record in the very common and efficient .AVI format. Audio quality is outstanding, and they even record video fairly well in low-light conditions.

These might be a good alternative to webcams, for students to use in recording their presentations.

The video files created by the Flip camera tend to be a bit on the large size, owing to the high resolution. Uploading to YouTube for instructor viewing is probably the best way to handle this, as the files are big enough to cause problems if sent as email attachments.

[Jane Blume]

We have one Flip video camera for students to check out. Media has one for instructors (probably mainly part-time instructors) to check out for short-term use. I've used it and find it very simple to use. I haven't been able to get even a 20 minute vodeo rendered small enough to email though.