SS Open PD Tanks in Round 1

Thursday, September 20, 2007


The technology demons were out in full force last night in our first "open" professional development session (Social Software in the Classroom). Indeed, the glitches were many. Nevertheless, the session did end on a high note as we engaged in a wonderful conversation about our need as teachers to include a higher level of social software in our classes.

Here's a list of the troubles we encountered (in chronological order):

  • Turns out our district's firewall won't currently allow people to view Quicktime video streams emanating from within the district. Ouch - especially since this was how we planned to share screens.
  • Twenty minutes later, enter YugmaSkype - For some strange reason, we weren't able to add all of the participants to the screen broadcast, even though we were connected through Skype. Weird.
  • Twenty minutes later (and loads of audio feedback) I set up a Ustream broadcast.
  • A minute or two later Sue Waters comes to the rescue, "Do you want to use an Elluminate room?" Did we ever!
  • Except for one of the teachers at my site. Fifteen minutes later, we were still dealing with her $%@#! USB headset and it's incompatibility with Elluminate. Yuck.
Finally, we were able to hold a pretty decent discussion about Karl Fisch's video, changes in our world, and changes in our students. The participants were extremely patient (for which I am grateful), and those that went the distance left happy with how things turned out.

That said, I still want to thank those that made this, my first attempt at an open professional development session, an effort that I'd like to attempt once more:
Thanks for the efforts, guys. We'll chalk our efforts up to "a learning experience" and try it again next time. And since Robin and I hashed things out for over two hours today, I think next Wednesday's session will yield much better results.

Image Source - 1

Technorati Tags:

 


Labels: , , , , ,

4 comments:

  1. Sue Waters said... September 20, 2007 5:37 PM

    Twas all good!

    What I loved the best was I am known to multi-task at the best of time during an Elluminate session but I certainly stepped it up a level yesterday when I decided to stay in your Elluminate session and log into a second Elluminate session!

    It was like sitting in two different lectures and you had to participate in both sessions with two separate voices coming into your ears. Text typing in both. You should try it so time --- spin out!!

    WHY did I do it? Because I wanted to be in both! I wanted to stay with yours. But I needed to see the skills level of the participants in the second session because I will be doing a presentation online for this group next week and am trying to work out what level to pitch my presentation at!

    All went well -- except for typing in the chat not to run video in application sharing (other session) and opps response to Sue was SUE we are in Web tour!!!!! And then caught out by MR Draper who asked me to try and talk...spin out you can not make sense when someone else is talking loudly in your head!

    But all good for next week --- calender is clear (unless I can find 3 Elluminate sessions to log into).

    Sue  

  2. Ken Pruitt said... September 20, 2007 6:21 PM

    Flash Forward 3 Years...An NECC (the Big Island, Hawaii, perhaps) Int: presenters room, big cookies and umbrella drinks.

    Ken: Remember when you guys started all this..it seemed like a disaster

    Darren: Don't remind me.

    Ken: But look at all the people you helped...none of them remember "the old days" of DSL connections and USB mics.

    Keep your head up. Your are doing something important.  

  3. Darren Draper said... September 21, 2007 10:02 AM

    Thanks Sue and Ken. And you're both right. I think we are doing something important here - and we'll get there.

    D  

  4. Anonymous said... September 23, 2007 8:42 AM

    Hi Darren,

    I was pleased to read that your experience with Elluminate was successful and to read more about your work in the area of social software. I’m with Elluminate and noticed your comment about USB headsets. Elluminate is compatible with USB headsets (in fact, I use one myself). We would be happy to work with you and your teacher who experienced problems to ensure they are up and running for their next Elluminate session and provide some best practices.

    Please feel free to contact me at any time! My contact information is below.

    Thanks,

    Zemina Hasham
    Senior Director, Client Services
    Elluminate Inc.
    Phone: 403-204-7896 x760
    Email: ZeminaH@elluminate.com  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)