CHAT 2

WebCT Communication Hubs

• What , why, and how? (Michael Coghlan)

• Application 1 (Liz Roarty)

• Application 2 - chat (Linley Joomjaroen)

WebCT Communication Hubs

• WebCT - not just an online tool (and not everyone wants to go online)

• great resource for f2f classes/workgroups• explosion across TAFE SA

WebCT Communication Hubs

• WebCT was designed as an online course delivery tool

• early adopters designed and delivered content

• how can you use this with f2f classes?• What if you just use a homepage

– for storing resources/documents?– plus communication tools and links?

WebCT Communication Hubs

• And so the concept of hubs was born

Uses:

• f2f delivery and distance delivery• professional development projects• workgroup communication across campuses

WebCT Communication Hubs

• Face to face teaching– discussion and chat– class homepage– student pix and bios– a sense of place/a home on the

Internet– links to resources

Hubs and Constructivism(on and off line)

• Move away from bodies of content– expensive and time consuming– the Net is already full of resources– why did we ever think we would do

something that we would never do in traditional teaching?

Hubs and Constructivism

• Whether f2f or online, hubs allow:– resource/document storage– appropriate links– communication tools for collaborative

learning

WebCT Communication Hubs

• Induces reluctant teachers to use online tools

• they can slowly introduce online technology into their classrooms in manageable, achievable stages

• backdoor induction to the online environment

HOW ARE HUBS BEING USED?

• WORKGROUPS– professional development resources– meeting agendas/discussion– diaries (who is where?) using the

calendar tool– document storage and sharing– communication across campuses

(discussion, chat, email)

HOW ARE HUBS BEING USED?

• ESL Talk (Liz Roarty)

• the use of a hub in a Distance Learning project (Linley Joomjaroen)

From isolation….The Distance Learning Network

…to Virtual Community

• The Future:– Online communication enables us to:

• collaborate on projects and developments• be up-to-date • act as leaders in our own teams• support each other

From isolation….

The studentsThe Distance experience

CHAT

• A Learning Tool– interpersonal engagement– learner type

DLstudent: helloi lili havarju tudej ju hev gud daj tudaj uat a ju duin tomoro a yuhollidaj

DLTeacher:What’s your name?

DLstudent:mieniemisniemesmem

DLTeacher: What’s your first name?

DLstudent: My nname is naim

DLTeacher: hello Naim!

DLstudent: Helolinda

DLTeacher: Hello Naim. My name is not Linda. My name is Linley.

DLstudent: halloi lili havaryutudej yuu

DLTeacher: Hello Naim, I’m fine thank you

CHAT

• A Learning Tool– conversation and learning - a

dynamic interplay

• DL teacher>>You ask... (How old are your children?)• Student A>>How old are your children?• DL teacher>>(good).. ask about my daughter• Student A>>What?• DL teacher>>ask about my daughter... how old...?• Student A>>I dont understand• Student A>>How old are your daughter• DL teacher>>yes good!• DL teacher>>(How old is your daughter?)• DL teacher>>She is 10 years old. (Now ask about my son)• Student A>>How old is your daughter?And How is yor son?• DL teacher>>How old...?• Student A>>How old is your san?• DL teacher>>son!• DL teacher>>He is 7! • Student A>>How old is your son?• DL teacher>>(yes great!) Excuse my manners.....How old are you?

•

• Student A>>OK!!!I,m 46 yers old • DL teacher>>(because it is not polite to ask a lady's age)• Student A>>I'm not problem my each• DL teacher>>age• Student A>>I'm not problem my age.• DL teacher>>ask me!• Student A>>My hair wait.• DL teacher>>waiting - what's it waiting for?• DL teacher>>Oh, you mean white!• DL teacher>>So (for practice) How old are your cats?• Student A>>I can't• DL teacher>>Can't? what? • DL teacher>>can't laugh? can't understand?• DL teacher>>I don't know• DL teacher>>How old are the cats?• Student A>>I don't know how old are my cats.• DL teacher>>(good english!)

CHAT

• A Learning Tool– an “oral” genre

• DL teacher>>believe me, G, they grow up very quickly!

• Student G>>I agree, Linley.Time is frying!!

• DL teacher>>frying?

• Student G>>Sorry, flying!

• DL teacher>>LOL!

CHAT

• A Tool for Developing Relationships– Power– Identity - fantasy and reality

• DL teacher>>Student A, guest guest just asked me if you were a real woman! (or just a computer!)

• DL teacher>>Student A, guest guest just asked me if you were a real woman! (or just a computer!)

• M>>the firs one is son, second is girl. she is 13, third girl she is 12.…

• A>>I'm real woman.

• DL teacher>>Student A, guest guest just asked me if you were a real woman! (or just a computer!)

• M>>the firs one is son, second is girl. she is 13, third girl she is 12.…

• A>>I'm real woman.• M>>fourth is boy he is 11,fifth is a boy he is 10…• M>>sixth they are twins 7.…• M>>so I'm very busy• A>>Very good,big family,7 children…

• DL teacher>>Student A, guest guest just asked me if you were a real woman! (or just a computer!)

• M>>the firs one is son, second is girl. she is 13, third girl she is 12.…

• A>>I'm real woman.• M>>fourth is boy he is 11,fifth is a boy he is 10…• M>>sixth they are twins 7.…• M>>so I'm very busy• A>>Very good,big family,7 children…

• A>>I think M ,you are real woman.

CHAT

Not just a light conversation

but a very powerful and

exciting learning tool.

WHERE TO NOW?

• decentralisation to the local campus/workgroup

• a hub for each workgroup?• a hub for each teacher?• who creates them?• should it be admin staff?• templates for ease of use and

consistent look?

WebCT Communication Hubs

• Online Professional Development for staff

THANK YOU

ANY QUESTIONS?