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 Jane,

I send them to Youtube or Teachertube and just send the link.

HTH

J

[Lesley Ann Wallace]

I think Elluminate is a good synchronous platform for student presentations as long as the students have enough practice with it before they are asked to perform!
What happens in many cases is that students without enough experience in technology are faced with 2 learning curves, first, their content and second, the technology piece. That is why practice is essential. Also, teaming or pairing students up is a great way to start them with online presentations because they are less likely to feel intimidated.
With equipment, you might want to survey your class to see who has what. That gives you a good idea of who needs to team up with whom. Also, when offering the class, place in the description that you expect them to present on line in some sort of fashion and require that students have certain equipment. If they are signing up for a total online class, they should be expected to have more than a computer to access.

[Carl Oekerman]

Hmmm. You raise an interesting point that I've been wrestling with: Shall we expect students to come to an onlne class with a certain level of computer expertise? That simply is not what's happening now. I think some students are registering for an online course simply because it 'fits' into their schedule (meaning they think they can do it anytime they aren't doing other things) and they have almost no computer experience. Last week I met with an online student so I could show him how to cut and paste.

If we will require a certain level of expertise, who will set the standards (and who will publicize those standards) so students can determine if they are ready for online learning? WAOL has a good self-evaluation quiz. Should we require students complete it and score at least an 'X'?

[jeff4082]

Ask if the student can be successful in the workplace without these skills. They cannot in my industry.

I have not looked at the WAOL quiz, but will.

Great points Carl.

[Sarah Fowler]

I might chime in here from an advising perspective. I always chat with students about what it means to take online classes. I have used the WAOL quiz also which works really well. The problem is that we (advisors) don't see every student and we can only make suggestions. It is ultimately the students choice on whether or not they enroll.

I like the idea of requiring the quiz for all who enroll. Even if we don't track their resluts which would be a pain, they will at least be introduced to some of the issues with taking an online class. I have seen a lot of students struggle with online classes, particulary if they have issues with self managment and interdependence. Because our hours are limited to students and we are a commuter campus, I don't see how students can be successful in these classes without reliable technology in their homes.

[Lesley Ann Wallace]

Remember Elluminate presentations can be recorded so that even though some students might not make it they can still access the recording of the event.

ALSO- offering the synchronous event more than once in different time slots allows students to choose a time that might be more convenient for them.

If students are presenting to you through Elluminate, then setting a time up convenient for who ever is involved and who ever wants to attend is also a way to accomplish this type of assessment, explaining to other students that they have to attend at least one or two other student presentations besides their own (including recordings).

Our expectations for online classes includes attending synchronous events, the students are responsible for class and if part of the expectations are to attend certain synchronous events, then so be it!

[Vicky Moyle]

Do students require a microphone or headset to participate in Elluminate?
I realize that they can view a session after it has happened--
and they can always write responses in the live Chat section, but they can't speak without the equipment, right?

[jeff4082]

While microphones and speakers are not required to use Elluminate the students learning, via Elluminate, will be severely hampered. Most modern computers have built in speakers and microphones (though of varying sound quality).

I think that the syllabus for classes that are using Elluminate need to be very specific as to the equipment requirements and skill sets expected of students. These are skills commensurate with current industry standards and need to be practiced and reinforced.

The day when one of my diesel students could achieve industry success as a leader in their field with no computer skills left us about 10 years ago. There are still a few shops operating without technology, but I do not expect them to weather the current economic conditions. It is no longer "if" you embrace the technology it is "when" and when is now. JMHO ((backed by close industry contacts)