Sometimes it is good to talk Towards a signature pedagogy for synchronous online tutorials

Webinars what are they about?Dr. Michael HallissyH2 Learningwww.h2.ie1H2 LearningOverview of this sessionWhat is a webinar?How to do online webinar meetingsHow they can be participatory?How they can build capacity of community groups at local level?A recent case study I conducted with City of Dublin ETB

H2 Learningwww.h2.ie2BackgroundWorking in a range of contexts to support teachers to use digital technologies in teaching, learning and assessment practicesTeacher professional development a key focusDoctoral thesis"Building teacher professionalism in teaching-learning interactions between online tutors and learners during synchronous tutorials a case study from Hibernia CollegeFocus is on how we can capture and develop teacher professional practice in relation to using digital technologies

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieTendency to overhype the impact of technology

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieWho has participated in a webinar previously?

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieLearning at a distance

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieLearning at a distance has been around since 1890s1st online OU Course 1988 (Mason, 2001)the internet does not educate, nor does it actively support learning. Mostly, it provides information (Laurillard, 2012; 29) OU noted that active discussion has long been one of the aspects that is difficult to provide in distance education, with tutorials and summer schools being the usual means of achieving this (Mason, 2001; 73) Since 1988 there has been a great deal written on the topic of discussion and online courses in HE but this has mostly focused on asynchronous technologies forums particularly.But today we have no tools -

6Elements of learning online

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieComputer-mediated conferencing (CMC) is unique among distance education media because of its ability to support high levels of responsive, intelligent interaction between and among faculty and students while simultaneously providing high levels of freedom of time and place to engage in this interactivity. (Rourke et al., 1999; 50) The claims made for the educational value of CMC rest on the assumption that students learn effectively through discussion and collaboration (Laurillard, 2002; 147)She notes that the properties of a medium do not determine the quality of learning that takes place (Ibid;147)Now we have:Synchronous Computer-mediated conferencing technologies (SCMC)

7Tools of the Trade

H2 Learningwww.h2.ie

Can also link into group event?H2 Learningwww.h2.ieWebinars what are they?

H2 Learningwww.h2.iehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gz2wBT9gZfo&feature=youtube_gdata

10Learning through Discussion

Allows students to learn from each otherI can listen, and follow, but that does not mean I have understood it securely as an idea I can generate myself(Laurillard, 2012; p. 145)H2 Learningwww.h2.ieLearning that reflective activity which enables the learner to draw upon previous experience to understand and evaluate the present, so as to shape future action and formulate new knowledge.

11Free Tools

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieTypical Functionality you have in webinar software

EmoticonsHands up

YesNo

Controls

Chat box

Slides

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieHow to use webinarsH2 Learningwww.h2.ie

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieOnline Learning connect with a guest lectureAllows you to connect live at a distance Allows you to interact with your audience in real-timeAllows you to bring experts or guest lectures into your learning spaceIt can be archived and replayed

H2 Learningwww.h2.ie16Online Learning - Facilitate Discussion at a distance

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieAre they engaged during these sessions?

H2 Learningwww.h2.ie18Or are they otherwise engaged?

H2 Learningwww.h2.ie19But it can be so much more Unplanned chats among peers over lunchLively in-class discussions or debatesStudent-led presentations or performancesStudy group, team, or committee gatheringsImpromptu exchange between a student and a lecturer after class or during office hoursTimely and personalised guidance from a reference librarian, advisor, or a lecturer(Finkelstein, 2006; 3)And the list goes on

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieHosting an engaging webinar analogy of a dinner partyPrepare for their arrivalHave resources ready in advanceWhen they arrive you can focus on these and on collaborationWelcome them warmlyWelcome people by nameCreate a warm and secure environmentFrequently assess the mood of the roomFrequently check that people are alrightDont wait till the end of the eveningHave more food (for thought) than you needPrepare more activities that you needDont feel you need to use them allMake everyone feel includedGive people opportunities to interactRefer to comments made by people by nameFacilitate Connections and conversation, but dont dominate ever discussionYour role is to facilitate an environment where learners are exchanging ideas with others, and seeing their peers as resources for ongoing learningOffer guests something to take home with themProvide a transcript or a recording of the eventAccess to slides, readings or continue the discussion on the forumKnow when to say good night; leave everyone wanting moreEnd on a high point. Dont try to cover everything. Monitor the energy levels and go with the group.H2 Learningwww.h2.ie21Webinar Case-study City of Dublin ETB

H2 Learningwww.h2.ieThank YouMichael Hallissymhallissy@h2.ie

Skype:mhallissyTwitter:mhallissySlideshare:http://www.slideshare.net/mhallissy/Linked in:http://ie.linkedin.com/in/michaelhallissyWebsites:www.h2learning.com

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