I'm a technology geek.
There, I said it.
In the last twelve months I've been teaching a few online Digital Media Design classes. Like many instructors, I am new to teaching online classes. Fortunately, I am not new to the medium. Not only did I complete my degree through a distance-learning program, but I have taken many professional development classes specifically focused on best practices in online instructional development. As such I’m well prepared to address both the challenges and benefits of online learning.
For example, I particularly benefited from online video/audio conferences with instructors and fellow classmates while taking classes. I feel strongly that online video/audio conferencing is an application that greatly benefits students and, as such, I planned on integrating it into all of my distance learning classes.
COTC recently implemented the Angel Learning Management System and currently is looking into purchasing the rights to an online live video/audio conferencing tool to use within the system. But, being an impatient technology geek, I poked around and found Dimdim to use in the meantime. Dimdim is currently free with the limitation that you may have only 20 participants in any one online conference. However, one of the best features of Dimdim is you can record sessions so students who miss the online conference can review the presentation at their leisure. This is particularly important in offering asynchronous classes. Many distance-learning students choose online classes for convenience and avoid programs that require specific login times.
Another benefit of using Dimdim is participants do not have to download any software (great for those students who may not be particularly computer savvy or using someone else's computer). They simply follow a link sent via e-mail or posted somewhere online, sign-in with their name and they're in on the conference.
I've been using Dimdim for the two classes I'm teaching online this quarter and have had received great feedback from my students. It has proven invaluable in demonstrating how to use design software, providing instructor lead feedback for work-in-progress (most of the Digital Media Design curriculum is project based) and discussing the topics and or subjects being studied.
Students in both classes have expressed their gratitude for this extra resource. The first time one of my students logged into one of the live conferences he said, "52 credit hours later and I finally get to hear a teacher's voice." It has been proven to be both gratifying to me and extremely helpful to my students.
Regarding group project work, some of my student groups have been “meeting” through Dimdim and recording their meetings for group members who can’t meet at a set time. They seem comfortable using the service on their own and seemed to have embraced the concept.
Dimdim works by allowing the you to share presentations (PowerPoints or PDFs), your desktop, a on-screen whiteboard or webpages. You can also choose to permit participant "mark-up" capabilities, screen sharing, presentations or whiteboards. Students can even be allowed to speak during the conference through a microphone, via telephone or typing in a chat window.
It works like a dream. Dimdim is Mac and PC friendly, and it is simple to use. And, you have control: no waiting for someone else to set you up, provide software, etc.
I highly recommend you try it!
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