Jeff and Dave conducted a wonderful session last night in Worldbridges and Skype. We thank them for all the tips and for teaching us so much. We would love to read your comments about the session. For those who couldn´t make it, just click on this link http://webheadsinaction.org/node/291 to listen to the recording of the webcast.
Thanks
José Antônio
14 Comments
January 22, 2008 at 1:10 pm
The live session was another opportunity for everybody to share different experiences . Very interesting ways to practice text and voice messages. I couldn’t be more committed to these sessions.
See you around in cyberspace…….
Mirian.
January 22, 2008 at 4:57 pm
It was great to once again hear some voices of names we usually only read, and listen to some new voices too. Jeff was a great host, as usual, and the moderators also contributed to making that session a very pleasant one.
I’m looking forward to part 2 on Sunday!
Regards from Brazil!
January 22, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I enjoyed the session but was frustrated by the intermittent sound problems, as were many others. Sometimes, however, we have to remember that what we are doing is really miraculous, and if there are glitches, we must not be too impatient.
I think more newbies might have participated in the Skype chat if they had been invited by name. I can still remember how nervous I was about participating in a chat others around the world could hear (and English is my native language!).
Cheers from Maryland,
Nina
January 22, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I am copying a message related to this entry that was posted somewhere else, and then adding my reply:
“Tonight I was at Woodbridges, in the margins, so to speak; not sure what I am doing most of the time, but certainly spending a lot of time trying to understand—for one, What am trying to accomplish at Woodbridges? What does Skype have to do with Woodbridges? Why is there a chat box on the side while the webcast is going on? I felt like I was supposed to be involved in simultaneous activities, but i didn’t understand how or why.
Ginny
2. baw08 | January 22, 2008 at 4:20 am
Dear Ginny,
In the first place, we are communicating, interacting with people from all over the world. That’s what we were doing there. In the second place, we are learning how to use synchronous tools that we can use in blended or online courses; we are exploring, learning by doing. Finally, Worldbridges is a community of communites, that uses Skype to stream voice so all of us involved can listen to each other, with the option of just listening as if you were listening to the radio.
Our task as teachers? To reflect on how we can use these tools in our teaching.
I know that it can be a bit confusing when we have not been involved in this kind of activities, but the best way to learn is by becoming involved
You’ve gone a step forward by attending the session and publishing your thoughts here
Cheers,
Daf
January 22, 2008 at 7:02 pm
Dear Nina,
Since 2002 when I started my online journey, voice has improved so much that I cannot believe it. I still remember our trials in Yahoo Messenger and Alado, nothing to do with the quality we get in Skype and other platforms today. The main problem nowaday is bandwidth. We cannot control what every person has, and having so many people connected at the same time is another factor. Andy Pincon and Jeff always say that webheads push technology to the limit.
Regarding calling by names, it is kind of difficult when you have so many people. If we omit someone that person might think we have not mention his/her name on purpose. Others might feel that they are being pushed. I think we still have 5 weeks to let participants get used to the environments and to us
hugs,
Daf
January 22, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I really like the ‘organized chaos’ of these synchronous sessions, and I can see that I’m getting much better at following them. We have people talking, dozens of conversations going on in the chat at the same time, users entering and leaving the room, power point presentations, interactive boards, plus occasional ‘real-life’ interruptions at home or at work…
I remember thinking – after my fist experience last year – that I would probably need a couple of extra brains to be able to cope. However, it’s amazing how we adapt to a new environment and how even technical problems aren’t enough to make you feel lost.
I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s session, with its glitches and all. And it was great to hear and chat with the other participants!
Um abraço,
Monica
January 22, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Dear Daf and all,
I was not able to attend as it was 3 a.m here in Khartoum. I listened to the recording and I am telling you it was for sure a BLAST! So many interesting information about technology and ” EFL smashup”.
I enjoyed every ‘breath’ in it!
hugs,
Hala
January 22, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Dear Ginny,
I’d like to share you some of the feelings that I experienced the first time in Tapped In 6 years ago. It could have been Worldbridges or any other new platform. This is what I wrote then.
“I felt totally lost and out of context, though I shared in the fun some of you were having through your comments…. Yes, in spite of all the humorous, informal and friendly talk going on, which somehow helped me be in a good mood and not give up, I felt completely uprooted. Probably like an E. T. would feel had he/it (??!!) just landed on Earth! … Alas, there were other people feeling totally lost and dumbfounded, just like me, which felt comforting! But, at the same time, there were very helpful and supportive members trying to guide the newbies… All along the session I kept thinking to myself: “What’s going on? What’s this all about? What does all this have to do with EFL? What am I doing here? I don’t even like chat! I never have!” My urge was to give up, disconnect, but something inside told me to keep on… Later that day, I tried to sort out my ideas and think about the purpose of chat to the teaching and learning of EFL. Though I didn’t immediately grasp some of its applications, one thing was certain: there was no going back. That group had magnetized me.”
And my concluding words then: “Why such a change in me in such a short period of time? Well, here was a warm group of people who immediately greeted and welcomed everybody as they came in, and tried to make contact. A closely-knit group of people, some going back a few years, who ade ‘newbies’ feel ‘at home’, and were willing and available to patiently teach them what they had learned before us. That human and affective touch sure felt nice!”
I hope that this helps you understand that we all start by feeling very confused and totally lost, but all of a sudden it all starts making sense with a warm and supportive group as we have. Just think of this: Had I given up then and there, maybe you wouldn’t be in BaW08 today! I wouldn’t have become a very close friend of Daf – we are soul mates, always “in synch” – and wouldn’t have created projects with her such as this one!
Welcome to the world-of-chaos-soon-to-make-sense-and-make-all-the-difference!
Cheers, Teresa (Portugal)
January 22, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Dear All,
Just echoing what Monica has said, I also like the organized chaos of online conferences. It is always lots of things happening at the same time. I did panic and felt frustrated and still do when things do not work they way I planned. My first experience with this enviroment was really chaotic for me and I though I really would be able to get used to it or learn from it. However, after the first January/February marathon I realized that in my student/teacher career I had never learned so much in such a short time. So, after the first experience, I was hooked on it and started looking forward to January. Not only that, but participating in online events throughout the year whenever my teaching schedule allows me to do so.
Kudos to you all
JA
January 22, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Thanks again to all those who participated. Nina, we did our best to bring as many people in to the group skype chat as possible and certainly didn’t want to exclude anyone. I also noticed that several people who were added to the skype chat left it as opposed to simply closing the window. As with most new technologies, there can be a bit of a learning curve and frustration, especially for those who are a bit ‘chaos averse’.
I just created a screencast at: http://screencast.com/t/c5xDlpRvwx to provide some group skype chat tips and added any BaW08 skype ID’s that I recognized (including both of yours Nina) to the group. Hopefully, that will help get the BaW skype chat momentum rolling.
Stay tuned for some more screencasts ahead of Part 2 of the BaW/Worldbridges webcast on Jan. 27 – let me know if anyone has any requests.
Cheers,
Jeff
January 23, 2008 at 1:50 am
Dear all,
I wasn’t able to attend the live session in Worldbridges, due to technical problems, but after listening to the recording I totally agree with most of you: It was great! So many people interacting and showing their enthusiasm! I wish I could have taken part! I’m sure I would have panicked too and felt out of context, as José and Teresa mentioned about their first experiences.
No doubt, synchronous tools seem to be much more challenging than asynchronous ones, until you get the hang of them and overcome your fears.
Best wishes,
Silvia from Argentina.
January 23, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I listened to the recording and really enjoyed the ’show’. I am stunned by the potential of the media! Having irritating problems with my headphones which won’t work, but tomorrow I’m going to try and get new ones so I may be able to take a active part in Part 2. I’m with you in spirit anyway!
January 23, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Hi everyone!
Please invite me again. I couldn’t follow the conversation from the beginning because I was having a video call with my hubby (from Antarctica), trying to look after my father who wasn’t feeling well, my daughter wanted to play and my mother was waiting for me to have dinner. What a mess! So please, add me again, I didn’t leave on purpose…
I have lots of things to reflect upon so here I go. First, I couldn’t listen to the transmission on Monday due to technical problems. I couldn’t open Windows Media Player, Real Player kept stopping the audio. Luckily I was in the chatroom following what you were all talking about. Apart from that also, I could chat with Carlos Ferreira who was really nice and gave me some clues about what he was listening to.
Yesterday Jeff invited me to a chat conference and I accepted but while listening to the audio from Monday I learnt I wasn’t supposed to LEAVE and I did exactly that yesterday
Another thing that I learnt while listening to the recording today is that you had a great time while chatting and listening! as always. Jeff is an amazing “coordinator” and Dennis, Daf and JA (I think I’m not forgetting someone, please tell me if I do) where excellent too and very helpful.
I hope next time I can make it and participate. For that I’m taking my laptop (because I will be on holiday). I hope there’s wi-fi where I’m going.
All in all, I just wanted to say that I love synchronous ways of communication and I can see they are really helpful for our classes. Have to go, my daughter wants to play with me.
Thanks for reading such a looonng message,
Lore (from Argentina)
January 24, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hi, Jeff!
I loved listening to the recording of Part 1. You were ver clear in your explanations and very calm, as usual. But I guess that what I/we consider “clear” may not be enough for a total newbie, who generally would love to have all the steps shown or have a guardian angel saying everything.
When we’re confused, it’s hard to make sense even of a simple instruction. It seems our minds are blocked.
“Thank you” and to Dave too for being here for the BaW08 team. And I’m sure that those who faced problems will soon feel very comfortable at WB and skypecasting.
Hugs both, Teresa