Tonight we are following our own interests. I am looking forward to experimenting with the Smartboard, and the vRoom when two or three other library staff and myself visit the LTC on Thursday.
Followup – The Library team enjoyed the Smartboard, and feel that it would be helpful in getting students hooked into a session. Cost is a problem, and the purchase will have to be part of the budget for next year. In the interim we’ll try to get the Notepad software pushed to our computers, or the computer in the Smart Centre, so we can experiment with that.
I also attended an impromptu presentation of Wimba, which looks great for teaching in a virtual classroom, allowing multiple connections, and lots of interaction – even screen sharing. I can see that it would be helpful for talking to off-campus students, and demonstrating searches with them – or sitting in my office and demonstrating something to a class in a lecture theatre!
I’m really interested in getting the notepad software on my computer too. And Wimba looks like BIG SISTER heh,heh. I can see a good use as a supervision tool, but also, if I cry out for help, you can show me online on my own computer!
Barbara
Comment by Barbara — July 15, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
Hi Sue,
I would like to quickly let you know of a freeware tool being used by librarians and educators. It’s called Mikogo, and with it you can teach online by inviting up to 10 students/teachers to participate in a screen sharing session. You can show any application or screen content in real-time. Then you can switch the screen sharing presenter, and access remote keyboard and mouse control, as well as transferring files. Mikogo is genuinely free with no costs, no time limits, no feature restrictions, and no trial periods.
With the Mikogo Skype Extra you can share your screen while chatting with students – all for free.
Take a look at the Learning Community website, EduWiki.us, for more detail about Mikogo: http://eduwikius.wikispaces.com/Mikogo
For more information, take a look at our website: http://www.mikogo.com
In case of any questions, feel free to contact me. I hope to hear from you.
Regards,
Andrew
The Mikogo Team
Comment by Andrew Donnelly — July 16, 2008 @ 1:38 am