Last semester I participated in an online seminar sponsored by Sony, Strategies for Student Engagement. In the seminar the speakers shared helpful ideas based around media (e.g. video camera) to get students more excited about learning. I was very impressed with the seminar platform as they used on24 to host the webcast. The seminar had three speakers from different states collaborating while each giving a PowerPoint slide presentation that was viewed on the screen. As a participant, I was able post live questions and the presenters answered them when it was appropriate.
Not only did the speakers show their slides but they were also able to show a live view of their desktop and demonstrated various techniques and online tools. demonstrated online tools over the Internet using screen flow. As a participant, I was able to participate live by asking questions via their message board and the questions were answered at the appropriate time.
How can educators create interactive seminars with other teachers or students inexpensively? The on24 service is very professional but the price is expensive. A useful tool that I have been using to aid in teaching my online course is Wimba. This online application is an effective online learning and interactive tool that uses an online “room” where people meet and can interact using webcams, voice messaging, and chat functions. Wimba sessions can also be easily recorded, archived, and viewed online by those who missed the session.