I don't know why I seem surprised - I attempted to join our discussion group Elluminate session last Monday and the system failed. Tried to join the adhoc skype session - that fell over too. Interestingly enough it clearly demonstrated the pitfalls of learning via technology. Now I admit that I'm not technophobic (only because I haven't come out of that closet yet ;) ) but surely this sort of thing shouldn't happen. At least in a F2F environment if a bit of technology fails I can 'wing it' but what do you do when it is outside of your control. You could sense the "what do I do now?" kicking in in the discussion emails so the opportunity for learning was clearly lost.
It got marginally better on the rescheduled Thursday - I could at least skype with a couple of colleagues after Elluminate didn't work again. But all of this emphasised some of the issues I have with the idea that technology will improve learning...
1. What happens when it all goes wrong?
2. What does everyone do when something fails before you start?
Bronwyn has put the whole event in context yet our reliance on technology does not often mean we have a plan B. And to be fair why wasn't the technology tested to see it works - much like you would test whiteboard makers etc. At least when a piece of equipment fails mid-lecture you have at least covered a bit of material so discussion can ensue while repairs take place. Failure to launch gives you nothing to work with - and the waiting participants turn on you as though it's your fault (mainly because you didn't test it earlier).
Yes we were able to adapt and communicate with each other in a group skype chat so I can see why Bronwyn saw that as a good thing for developing our community. Yet I don't have the same enthusiasm - which I think is linked more to my unfamilarity with the online learning community structure. What I saw reminded me more of Brownian motion where people organised more by random accident than purposeful design. Maybe it's related to the fact we (well me anyway) were there more as lurkers so not prepared for active involvement.
Ah well, guess we'll see who's right and whose wrong as the journey continues...
Monday, September 10, 2007
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4 comments:
Hi Mark, I just love the titles you come up with-I can never come up with grovey titles.
I must admit that I do not necessarily agree with Bronwyn about last Thursday and the development of community-I don't have a sense that a community is developing, but who knows how things will develop over the next few weeks.
Nevertheless, for me, last Thursday was a success because of the adhoc session with Merrolee. I found out about iGoogle and more about her work, which has set me off thinking and working in another direction. So the answer to your opening question is yes, we should have tried in the first place. Looking forward to catching up with you on Skype. cheers Sarah
Hi Mark. 1005 agree with your comments.
Can't really add much more detail but if you read my postings you may get a handle on some of my thinking.
Hi Mark, I have to agree as well. It all just turned into a discussion - which was nice - but we missed out on the learning opportunity really. Just one of those things but it does show the value of systems testing prior to event times.
I'm glad some people (including me) got value from it though, and it is very important to take positives from negative experiences if we can.
It was a learning experience but not quite in the way we envisaged. Better luck next time.
Hi Mark
The technology failure reminds us to have a contingency in place. I've taught with computers for years and learned early on that I always needed a second lesson plan in case they went down - and each time I got complacent they would crash on me!!! This experience made me think about what other online events could take place - arrange the meeting in Skype prior to the Eluminate session and have some discussion goals etc. There are still issues about technology failure for individuals (in a distance online environment). When my internet connection kept dropping (in our first course online chat) I got very frustrated and this kind of thing could quickly lead to students giving up I think.
Cheers
Yvonne
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