True Class:

Getting instantaneous feedback

and spontaneous communication

in the online classroom

Michael BarakatPhiladelphia, PA 19125215-519-9164michaelbkats@gmail.com

Identifying the needsof the users

Interviewing experts

Chatroulette:Observing what works

Distance Education Project

Distance education platforms rely on lots of content management. But, they don’t focus on fullfilling the students needs. Frequently they use a broad range of

features that get lost in the minutia of a bigger system. How do we foster collaboration, spontaneity, and user feedback online?

Embracing the interface

Analysis

Conclusions

A new interfaceYears

Months

Weeks

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

Instant

1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 1900 1920 1950 1980 2000 2008 2009

1450PrintingPress

1832Telegraph

1876Telephone

1920s 1930sTV andRadio

1980s1990sDial Up Internet Access

2003Broadbandand Wireless

The Agricultural Economy

Pre-Industrial

Industrial

Technology Economy

Information Economy

The CreativeEconomy

2007Widespread touch PDAsiPhone

Volume of Information

People

RandomPeople

Webcam

Webcam

PersonalComputers

PersonalComputers

Chatroulette Feedback Loop

Teachers

Physical Classroom

Student Body

Parents

School AdministratorChief School Administrator

Teacher’s Assistant

World Wide Web

Meet RegularlyEmailCell PhoneConferences

Meet DailyCell PhoneOne on OneEmail

High Frequency

Classroom timeCell PhoneOne on One timeEmail

Low FrequencyDaily MeetingOne on One

Meet MonthlyMeetingsEmailLAN PhoneConferences

Meet DailyCollaborationDaily MeetingsEmailCell Phone

Meet MonthlyEmailLAN PhoneScheduled MeetingsConferences

Books Television

LectureReadingExperimentationHands on workGroup ActivityPeer to peer studyExamples

Less Data More Complicated

Traditional Education Structure

Parents Teachers World Wide Web

Virtual Classroom

Class DiscussionFile Sharing Video Lectures Live Chat

Student Body

Books Television

More Data Bigger Pipeline

Distance Education Structure

True Class:Finding a way through Chatroulette

Distance education is boring. Chatroulette is interesting. If the two of them got together and had a baby what would it look like? Sure, it might look a little ugly, and it might need discipline, but it would be a show stopper.

Hard to sort through.

Hard to focus on.

Impersonal.

Distant.

Unorganized.

Convenient.

Instant.

Not for everyone.

Not engaging enough.

Easy toattend anytime.

Not exciting enough.

Too fast.

Fine for other people, but not me.

Confusing.

Distance Education is...

This is Chatroulette. Is it really so special?

People

RandomPeople

Webcam

Webcam

PersonalComputers

PersonalComputers

Chatroulette Feedback Loop

It lets you talk to anyone on the web randomly.

Traditional Classroom

Online

Accommodates different user types

Feedback

Group Participation

Financial Cost

Learn on your time

Realtime interaction

Spontaneous environment

Who is the best? Gold Stars:

Can distance ed be as engaging as traditional class

Strength

Traditional ClassroomAccomodates a variety of di�erent students with on the �y collaboration and instant feedback in real-time.

Allows students to learn on their own time and at a lower price.

Instantaneous feedback. Randomized interaction produces unpredictable results.

Low price, instantaneous feedback, real time interac-tions, higher retention rate.

Gives up the advantage of learn on your own time.

It’s too unpredictable and likely to overwhelm users with unwanted viewing content.

Extremely low passing and retention rates. Very slow feedback.

Is limited by physical space, distance, and, cost.

Chat Roulette

Electronic Distance Ed

True Class

Weakness

Backpack allows for quick drag and drop of files to classmates and instructor.

Class Discussion logs all dialogue from the classroom.

Teachers assistant allows students and teachers to keep track of where they are in terms of participation. The view

here illustrates what an instructor might see. It also acts as a communication portal.

Randomization feature takes control of Q and A sessions for unpredictable classroom dynamics.

Action bubbles let you know what your classmates are up to.

Color coded system allows students and teachers to understand who’s talking and who’s not.

Traditional style chat window for talking with people who are outside of the “classroom.”

Classroom

Class Discussion

William Turner (3:01pm April 25th): I have a question for class this afternoon. Why don’t we try something new with how we format our class structure?Rupert Giles (3:30pm April 25th): What did you have in mind?X Harris (3:31pm April 25th): I know of a few ways we can make class more unpredictable and more engaging.William Turner (3:38pm April 25th): Yes! That’s exactly what I was thinking. In our discussion today we can try the randomization feature on our software.Rupert Giles (3:40pm April 25th): What’s the point in adding randomization?

Interaction 2

Interaction 1 Teacher’s Assistant

NameAaron Powers 65.5% 85.7% 89.5%Adrean Mangiard 88.7% 73.7% 93.6%Albert Simone 67.1% 45.8% 95.9%Amit Ray 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Andy Grossman 79.2% 96.0% 93.5%Ashish Jaizwal 56.4% 66.1% 89.5%Caitlin Miller 80.5% 87.9% 96.1%Cat Angst 83.1% 89.1% 98.2%David Giffin 45.8% 95.9% 68.5%Donovan Preddy 98.8% 75.9% 93.1%Georgia Guthrie 69.4% 56.1% 95.4%Jack White 86.5% 87.9% 96.1%Jake Wells 84.3% 84.8% 95.1%Jeff Lukasik 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Jes Williams 56.4% 66.1% 89.5%Jim Hykel 80.5% 87.9% 96.1%Joe Barakat 79.2% 96.0% 93.% Jonas Milder 67.1% 45.8% 95.9%Kristin Freeze 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Liz Marklewicz 75.5% 85.0% 92.5%Mark Fragale 98.8% 75.0% 93.1%Matt Miller 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Mike McAllister 93.5% 87.4% 90.1% Patrick McMahon 68.2% 58.1% 90.0%Steve Wunrow 56.6% 73.2% 88.2%Woody 44.8% 95.9% 95.5%

GradeParticipation Collaboration

Chat List

Liz MarklewiczMichael BarakatWoodyJake WellsKristin FreeseSherika WynterJesica WilliamsGiacomo CiminelloDonovan PreddyMatt MillerGeorgia GuthrieKim ForsytheAndy Grossman

Conversation

Backpack

Books

Homework

Handouts

Shared

Instructor

You

Chalkboard

Total students online: 1,000,185Distance Education Platform Calendar Settings Log out In class: 603,100 In study hall: 397,085

zz z...z

z

zz

Jake WellsMID Student89.7% Participation Rate

81.5% Collaboration Rate

ChatEmailView Profile

Randomization makes online learning more unpredictable , just like the traditional classroom environment, where we don’t know when we are being called on, or when we need to present questions.

Randomize

Q and AStudy HallOther...

Format

Lowest Highest

Participation

Assignment 1 - Bande a ParteAssignment 2 - RANAssignment 3 - Total RecallAssignment 4 - Basic InstinctAssignment 5 - A.I.Assignment 6 - As Tears Go ByAssignment 7 - The Gold RushAssignment 8 - The SearchersWorksheet 1 - John FordWorksheet 2 - Hong Kong CinemaWorksheet 3 - Horror Film ConventionsWorksheet 4 - Character Study

True Class Interface

Backpack allows for quick drag and drop of files to classmates and instructor.

Class Discussion logs all dialogue from the classroom.

Teachers assistant allows students and teachers to keep track of where they are in terms of participation. The view

here illustrates what an instructor might see. It also acts as a communication portal.

Randomization feature takes control of Q and A sessions for unpredictable classroom dynamics.

Action bubbles let you know what your classmates are up to.

Color coded system allows students and teachers to understand who’s talking and who’s not.

Traditional style chat window for talking with people who are outside of the “classroom.”

Classroom

Class Discussion

William Turner (3:01pm April 25th): I have a question for class this afternoon. Why don’t we try something new with how we format our class structure?Rupert Giles (3:30pm April 25th): What did you have in mind?X Harris (3:31pm April 25th): I know of a few ways we can make class more unpredictable and more engaging.William Turner (3:38pm April 25th): Yes! That’s exactly what I was thinking. In our discussion today we can try the randomization feature on our software.Rupert Giles (3:40pm April 25th): What’s the point in adding randomization?

Interaction 2

Interaction 1 Teacher’s Assistant

NameAaron Powers 65.5% 85.7% 89.5%Adrean Mangiard 88.7% 73.7% 93.6%Albert Simone 67.1% 45.8% 95.9%Amit Ray 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Andy Grossman 79.2% 96.0% 93.5%Ashish Jaizwal 56.4% 66.1% 89.5%Caitlin Miller 80.5% 87.9% 96.1%Cat Angst 83.1% 89.1% 98.2%David Giffin 45.8% 95.9% 68.5%Donovan Preddy 98.8% 75.9% 93.1%Georgia Guthrie 69.4% 56.1% 95.4%Jack White 86.5% 87.9% 96.1%Jake Wells 84.3% 84.8% 95.1%Jeff Lukasik 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Jes Williams 56.4% 66.1% 89.5%Jim Hykel 80.5% 87.9% 96.1%Joe Barakat 79.2% 96.0% 93.% Jonas Milder 67.1% 45.8% 95.9%Kristin Freeze 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Liz Marklewicz 75.5% 85.0% 92.5%Mark Fragale 98.8% 75.0% 93.1%Matt Miller 91.5% 88.4% 92.5%Mike McAllister 93.5% 87.4% 90.1% Patrick McMahon 68.2% 58.1% 90.0%Steve Wunrow 56.6% 73.2% 88.2%Woody 44.8% 95.9% 95.5%

GradeParticipation Collaboration

Chat List

Liz MarklewiczMichael BarakatWoodyJake WellsKristin FreeseSherika WynterJesica WilliamsGiacomo CiminelloDonovan PreddyMatt MillerGeorgia GuthrieKim ForsytheAndy Grossman

Conversation

Backpack

Books

Homework

Handouts

Shared

Instructor

You

Chalkboard

Total students online: 1,000,185Distance Education Platform Calendar Settings Log out In class: 603,100 In study hall: 397,085

zz z...z

z

zz

Jake WellsMID Student89.7% Participation Rate

81.5% Collaboration Rate

ChatEmailView Profile

Randomization makes online learning more unpredictable , just like the traditional classroom environment, where we don’t know when we are being called on, or when we need to present questions.

Randomize

Q and AStudy HallOther...

Format

Lowest Highest

Participation

Assignment 1 - Bande a ParteAssignment 2 - RANAssignment 3 - Total RecallAssignment 4 - Basic InstinctAssignment 5 - A.I.Assignment 6 - As Tears Go ByAssignment 7 - The Gold RushAssignment 8 - The SearchersWorksheet 1 - John FordWorksheet 2 - Hong Kong CinemaWorksheet 3 - Horror Film ConventionsWorksheet 4 - Character Study

True Class Distance Education Interface

They can see the expressions on each others faces and react as in Chatroulette. Expressions are represented by face icons that change and morph according to user’s real life expressions. This is possible through webcam and eye tracking technology. Having the ability to read the expressions of your students and peers enables a system of action and reaction as in a real life environment where whenv

a student looks forlorn or disinterested a teacher can adjust their teaching for the benefit of the student. Students are also now able to see the response of their classmates in real time. Cutting down reaction and communication times enhances the fluidity of conversation and learning.

Touching you touching me - the feedback of distance education.

Initial wireframes

True Class:Finding a way through Chatroulette

Now go watch the video!www.mikebarakat.com