Future Trends in Distance Education - a Web 2.0 production

Welcome back loyal review followers.

Below is the Week 4 project that Coretta Edwards, Tom Pile and I completed. Check it out.

We used various Web 2.0 tools to plan, construct and share the final product. To start, we used regular, old-fashioned email to schedule rough meeting times. Next, we met online and recorded our meetings using Google Wave. To complete the PowerPoint, a draft template was created using Microsoft PowerPoint for ease because I already own it. But then, the template was uploaded to Google Docs so all of the team could work on the content. Once final, we uploaded the presentation you will see to VoiceThread, shared it to all team members thus allowing each of us to add commentary. And finally, while in VoiceThread, I posted the uploaded document to this blog.

Now that's some serious Web 2.o productivity! Wouldn't you agree?

The only change I would make to the process is my shameful use of Microsoft PowerPoint. Bad reviewer - I know. I could have just as easily, and for a much cheaper price (insert FREE), used Impress form the OpenOffice.org productivity suite of the same name. Next time I will...I promise.

In the meantime, enjoy the presentation below that covers future trends in Distance Education:



I hope you enjoyed the presentation, the commentary and even added some comments. Check back next week, Week 5, when I'll be reviewing Facebook. That is sure to be no simple task.

Steve

A Critical Thinking Tool for Everyone - Creately

Happy hump day review followers:

This week's Web 2.0 tool review is on Creately. Creately is a critical thinking tool that allows the user to create work flows, process flows and technical diagrams by dragging and dropping objects onto a gridded worksheet. It is an amazingly easy tool and better yet if offers collaboration between multiple users through the website - creately.com.

This week I have included two videos. The first is the review of the product. This video includes all of the information you will need to access, create, save (export) and print a diagram. The second video contains a review of the advantages and disadvantages of the product as well as obstacles and benefits to using it in the classroom.

First video - Product Review:


(Click here for a large format of this video.)


Second Video - Advantages and Disadvantages


(Click here for a large format of this video.)

I hope you enjoyed the review and remember to check back in two weeks when I'll be reviewing Facebook as a Social Networking Web 2.0 tool.

Steve

Wordle anyone?

This week's review is on Wordle. Please click on the play button to watch the video podcast.

Hope you enjoy it. And remember to check back often for more reviews.

Thanks.

Steve




I am including a link to a larger format version as well - Click here

Skype for Two

Web 2.0 Tool Review 1: Skype^TM

Interesting fact #1: Skype^TM is a free communication tool that can be downloaded at www.Skype.com. Once there, click on Get Skype^TM, then click on the Get Skype^TM for . is determined by the Skype^TM website.

Interesting fact #2: Skype^TM allows users to communicate free over the web using video. Now that’s something to talk about.

Interesting fact #3: The user can also call landlines, mobile phones and instant message friends using the downloaded Skype^TM tool.

Overview:

Skype^TM is a tool that has been around for a while now. It provides normal Joes like you and me with the ability to conference using video over the web, with additional tools for instant messaging, communicating via telephone/mobile phone and various optional features such as faxing, video conference recording, white boarding and linking to Outlook and My Space. In a nutshell this little package provides a great service with no hitch (translation – cash) using the basic tools. The interface, yes there is a downloaded application that stays on your computer, is pretty intuitive with the common attributes of any window-based application. There is a menu bar, with numerous selections, options for configuring the application to the end users preferences, as well as online help, hover text and reminders for guiding the user along in their conference, text session or phone call.

Screenshot: Main Skype^TM window

What is really nice about Skype^TM, other than the fact that it’s free, is that it operates pretty seamlessly (translation: it doesn’t crash a lot). My review was done using broadband at home and I had no real connectivity or speed issues. Additionally, during this time I had the opportunity to download and install the Windows 7 version and compare it to the OSX version I usually use on Mac. And while I can say the functionality is the same and there didn’t seem to be any variation in speed or reliability, I will mention here that the difference in look and feel between the two versions made it somewhat difficult to initially adjust. Nonetheless, after about an hour I was sailing along easily between the two versions.

System Requirements:

Skype^TM works with Windows, OSX and Linux and though the system requirements vary some between the operating systems, the general requirements are:

· Between 800 Mhz and 2Ghz processor

· Between 256 and 512MB RAM

· 20 MB free disk space

· Microphone and speakers or a headset

· Internet connection (broadband where possible)

These are the minimum requirements. In my experience with video and audio, the maximum you can get is the preferred mode for things to run smoothly. For more information - http://www.Skype.com/intl/en-us/get-Skype/on-your-computer/windows/. Click on the OS on the right side of the page, scroll to the bottom of the corresponding page and you will be able to confirm the system requirements for your operating system.

Features:

So let me break down a few of the features in Skype^TM. As I mentioned earlier, Skype^TM is a great product if for nothing else that it provides communication over the web for free. I’ve actually used the mobile version to make phone calls for free back to the states while in Europe – a major cost savings. But even with the cost being so wonderful, Skype stays on the mark for the shear usability in conferencing over the Internet using video, text and audio.

Screenshot: Skype^TM functionality – Call, Video Call, Share Screen and more

Making calls whether video or to a landline/mobile phone is extremely easy. In the case of a videoconference, the initiator simple double-clicks on the conference partner’s Skype^TM ID within their contact list and then Video to initiate the conference.

Screenshot: Making a call

For a call to a mobile phone or landline, the initiator simply double-clicks on the desired contact then selects Call instead of Video and a telephone pad appears. Next, the initiator dials the number using the pad and the call is started. Well at least the phone will start to ring, the recipient still needs to accept it.

Screenshot: Dialing a landline/mobile phone in Skype^TM

Screenshot: Accepting calls (voice and video) in Skype^TM

Screenshot: An active conference call in Skype^TM

Users also have the ability to instant message one another within the application. So if you haven’t brushed your hair that day, have a blemish or just don’t feel like putting on a “happy face”, you’ve got options.

Screenshot: Instant messaging in Skype^TM

One feature that is very useful in the classroom is the ability to share desktops. Mind you the conference partner cannot take over the initiator’s desktop, but they can follow them as they move around it opening and closing windows, making calculations or most importantly demonstrating some activity.

Screenshot: Sharing a full screen or a selected window in Skpe^TM

Once the initiator shares their screen, the conference partner has the ability to increase the size of the screen by double-clicking on it to watch the activity of the presenter.

Screenshot: A shared desktop

Two final features seem beneficial to mention here. One is the ability to block callers and the other is extra applications that are available to users of Skype^TM that integrate to enhance the application.

To block a caller, the user only has to select Conversation from the menu bar then Block. The application prompts the user to confirm and those pesky Ex’s are history…at least in SkypeTM.

Screenshot: Blocking a caller

To select additional features provided by third-party vendors such as video conference recording, faxing and white boarding, the user selects Tools from the menu bar and then Extras.

Screenshot: Third-party optional features for Skype^TM

Final Thoughts:

In my opinion, SkypeTM is a wonderful tool. It provides a great deal of functionality at the perfect price – nothing. Moreover, it is not a “space hog” requiring copious amounts of the hard drive, nor crashing every couple of minutes because of memory issues. But most importantly I like it because it is evolving. I remember the days when it did crash and did not provide all of the features it does today. In this version, both on Mac and Windows, I am beginning to seem practical uses for it in the classroom e.g. guest speakers from NASA, City Hall, or even institutions far away. More and more we see video conferencing being used on the news with such simple tools as Skype^TM. Why not take full advantage of them in our classrooms. The additional features such as white boarding (Not review this time because it does not come with the base package) and remote desktop sharing have practical uses in the classroom e.g. demonstrations and white boarding during lectures. So my final assessment is that Skype^TM has somewhat arrived. It still has a way to go, but it has practical uses today.

In Summary:

· Advantages

o Optional software such as VODBURNER that allow the student and instructor to be more productive by recording conversations. There is other optional software for linking to My Space, white boarding and faxing.

o Skype^TM provides accessibility options for students and instructors who may need them.

o Accessible on smartphones and television.

o Easy-to-use interface

o Ability to block callers

o Ability to share remote desktops and windows

o Multiple methods of communication (text, voice, video)

· Disadvantages

o Interface in Windows looks significantly different than in Mac, though the functionality is the same. In the classroom this might pose some initial problems getting set up.

o Calls do drop though not a real issue.

o Add on software is free in some cases but most often at a subscription fee so buyer beware.

o Though you can do one-to-one video conferencing, you cannot to multiple video connections at the same time – or at least others are put on hold while you conference with one connection. What this means is that in a learning environment, the teacher could be remote and conference via video with a classroom in another classroom. However he or she would not be able to teach to a class of students in multiple locations with each student being able to see every other student and the teacher. In my mind, this is a major drawback to implementing it as a full learning solution.

Hope this entry was useful to you. As I mentioned early, I’ve only reviewed the basic functionality of Skype^TM. Check back often for other product reviews and more in-depth reviews of previous stories.

Steve