I've been looking at a few interesting applications, including one that I found on Glen's reader link. It's called SlideRocket(I love the name!), and it seems quite promising. It's a web-based alternative to PowerPoint, MicroSoft's somewhat user-unfriendly presentation software. SlideRocket is still in the development process, but potential clients can preview it at these coordinates: http://www.sliderocket.com/ . The main advantage SlideRocket has over PowerPoint is that it can be accessed from anywhere, not unlike the other social software we have become familiar with during this course. The designers are also incorporating technology that will allow the user to edit in an off-line mode, thus negating the need for internet access if the need arises. There is an excellent interview with co-founder Mark Grasso at the following site: http://www.fastcompany.tv/video/sliderocket-empowers-a-new-kind-presentation
Another type of technology I've been examining is software that provides a virtual classroom for distance education delivery. There are two that have drawn my attention - Elluminate Live and Desire2Learn. I'm not sure if these two programs are the future of distance delivery, but they are examples of what is available for providing virtual classroom education. I would like to learn more about distance delivery models that incorporate real-time video-casts of an instructor interacting with students in a classroom(or in their own homes). I hope to collaborate with our IT instructor to develop a web-based course that can be broadcast to a BUNTEP centre. If all goes well, it could introduce our program to the possibilities of Web 2.0.There are other factors that might dictate the need for this type of approach. Even thought there is a cost involved with the distance delivery programs, the price of flying professors to remote Manitoba communities will probably become even more expensive. Virtual distance education might be more cost effective and environmentally feasible. Maybe BUNTEP can become involved in the global carbon credit business - a lean, green, education machine!
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I watched that Sliderocket interview video with great interest as well. I've been keeping my eyes open on Twitter for somebody who has invitations to the early beta version.
It looks very interesting and I especially like the idea that your presentation materials can be kept current by editing the networked version.
It won't be available for us to use in this offering of ICT 07651 but I will try to include it next time.
I've used Elluminate quite a bit and a few other applications like it, WEBEX and LearnLinc. They are pretty good, but pricey and they actually don't perform as well as the web based free applications in some circumstances.
I just participated in a 3 week online conference organized by Athabasca University, U of M and BC Campus. We used Ellumintate, Moodle and a wiki to start to put together a Pan-Canadian eLearning Research agenda. (Ambitious, I know)
One day Elluminate was having problems. In about 30 seconds someone had set up a different discussion room on the free web conference tool WIZIQ and we carried on the discussion.
Difference is Elluminate $10,000.00 WIZIQ $0. I think it un-nerved a few of the DE old hands in the group.
I recently put together a proposal to use video-conferencing for DE in Manitoba. I was greatly inspired by a group of 28 Hutterite colonies in Manitoba who have established a comprehensive videoconferencing system for their rural K-12 schooling. It appears to be working and their students are performing very well in comparisons with students using regular face to face classrooms in city schools.
Many interesting changes on the near horizon.
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