Activity 7.1

I was absent during the class visit to the EIT Music Department due to my internship commitments, so I will be writing about a Digital Learning Technology I am familiar with.

A Digital Learning Technology I am familiar with is Adobe Connect, obviously as it is used in this class.  Adobe Connect software allows tutors to broadcast their lectures online and even record the videos to upload later. This is particularly useful to me as I can attend lectures while I am off-campus at my internship placement.

Other features that is included in this software are

·         Having the ability to hand over hosting rights to other people, so they can share their screen or webcam.

·         A text chat session along with the broadcast so people can discuss the lecture online

·         Allowing others to use their microphone to talk to the class

Strengths

·                     Tutor being able to share screen/webcam

·                     Students being able to remotely attend class

·                     Option to have more than one host

Weaknesses

·                     Students not ever attending physical classes out of laziness

·                     Students online getting less attention from Tutor

·                     Students not paying as much attention online as they would in class

Opportunity

A possible opportunity is to have guest lecturers from around the world that institutes wouldn’t normally be able to have. This would save on flights and accommodation to bring the lecturer over.

Threat

There always threats when things are broadcasted publicly, the main threat is that anyone could attend the class. They could spam, say profanities and abuse class members through the chat.

Considerations

Taking all things in to consideration, the strengths and opportunities definitely outweigh the weaknesses and threats. The threats are very unlikely of happening as to view the broadcast you need the URL. Broadcasts can also be made private, so this would eliminate the possible threats. The host also has the ability to kick anyone from the broadcast.

BOOM! DLT tour of ”TOM CATS” music lab/classroom

(Image: Tom, Michael & Steffanie
outside the music classroom
02/04/2015)  

 Firstly, we shared this class remotely via adobe connect with our fellow long-distance and at home/work students. Steffanie had a tablet and streamed our visit in real-time while Michael fielded questions from our online students.  

  

The class is a level four music class for inspiring musicians at EIT. The tutor “Tom” demonstrated the digital technologies he uses to enhance his music lab. The lab is equipped with apple imac computers, (most design institutions use macs for their quality and reliability). The students all have mac’s, headphones and midi keyboards at their station.  

The software that facilitates the learning is insight by Foranics. This software enables the interaction between the student and the tutor and course-work is done using this platform.

Strengths of Faronics “insight”

• Allows the instructor to monitor all user activity from their own workstation.
• Removes distractions by limiting web, applications, print, and drives, and blank screens.
• Enhances communication by audio, chat, and broadcast features facilitate more interaction.
• Assist students to control student machines, co-browse, share teacher and student monitors.
• Assesses students’ progress by using Easy voung and testing features help gauge students understanding.
• Simplified administration enables dynamic class list importing and ability to send/receive files and assignments.
• Information tech console helps to easily support and manage computer labs remotely.
• The software works on; PCs, Macs, Linux, Thin Clients, iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch (Faronics, 2015).

Weaknesses

• Possible over-use of teacher screen sharing;

“You can also send the teacher screen to all student computers which can be effective for a short demo or when showing a brief video. Used in moderation, this can be an effective technique; if you use it too much students get frustrated” (Suzanne Bernsten 9:30, 4 Dec 2013 (CDT))

• Privacy - students may feel vulnerable with the tutor always peering at their work or sharing it with the whole class.
• Tutors resisting new technologies and just prefer to use traditional aids like PowerPoint and handouts.
• Ability to train tutors to use new digital learning technologies could be an issue for some.

Opportunities

I can see an opportunity for EIT to create their own version of this management system. Using third year computing students to start a project under management of a tutor. If this “insight program“ is in the $100k plus for a license doesn’t it make sense with the current knowledge and abilities that within the EIT organisation to develop their own.

I agree with Mark Linskey’s comments about collaboration as an opportunity below:

 “Collaboration - a great feature of the software is that it allows two people on two separate computers to work on the same project. This is akin to a wiki or a shared Google Doc, in that many users can alter it at the same time. This could have a massive market in the digital music collaboration industry.” (M Linskey, 2015)

Threats

• Possible hacking into the system and students work.
• Co-sharing too much or coping work by other class members.

Considerations

Teaching students the fundamentals of the program and good file management can take some time before moving onto the main course content. Training tutors with good time management skills and preparing a solid course outline at the beginning will certainly curb any issues.

There are some tutors that will not want to use this technology, so it has to mandatory for certain courses that are obviously computer-based. Tutors will be trained in all aspects of this classroom management system and even mentored to ensure they are utilising it to its potential.

The usual no internet or network issues. Have a plan B.

Privacy issues would be easily be mitigated by the tutor and student both signing a privacy declaration prior to the course starting.

A major consideration is the expense of software like Insight is $100k plus, so perhaps finding a cost effective alternative or creating an EIT developed platform would be worth considering.

Some alternatives are;

ITALC Open Source by Tobias Doerffel, LanSchool by LanSchool Technologies, LiteManager, Netsupport School, SchoolVue by Crosstec Corporation, SMART Sync by SMART Technologies. These are aimed at the school environment and provide a solid classroom management platform.

BOOM!

From this to......

......To This

 

KA-BOOM!

References:

http://wikis.ala.org/acrl/index.php/Classroom_Control_Systems
http://www.faronics.com/en-uk/products/insight/
http://virtualmvblogger.blogspot.co.nz/

(7.1) Issues Surrounding DLT in the Music Classroom

DLT Field Trip

On the 2nd of April, 2015, as part of the Digital Learning Technologies class at EIT, my fellow students and I visited a music classroom on the campus. A tutor introduced us to and gave us a demonstration of the technology that is used to control and monitor the music lab's computers.

The music lab is equipped with Apple iMac computers, each with their own studio monitoring headphones and Midi keyboards. Apple computers are generally preferred in the music industry as they are considered more reliable and stable, which is imperative if they are being used for live shows and such. The last thing you want is Windows taking over your screen asking for your permission to update Java in the middle of a performance.

The teacher's computer runs software (Insight by Foranics) that enables it to communicate with and access the lab's computers. The teacher is able to add to and modify students' work, monitor the students screens, and give help where needed. Students screens can be shared on the projector, so if a student has a problem, the teacher can demonstrate solving the problem to the rest of the students seamlessly.

The above image shows the projector screen (showing the teacher's screen). The many screens you can see on the projector are the screens of the individual computers in the lab.

Here are some considerations around using the software:

Strengths:

• Editing - the teacher is able to edit students work while tutoring them, aiding them in solving problems.
• Demonstration - the teacher can easily demonstrate something to the whole class by putting a students screen on the projector for all to see. This eliminates the teacher having to continuously go over a common problem.
• Tutoring - the teacher demonstrate something to a student without having to leave his computer, by actually adding to or modifying (in real time) students work.
• Calling attention - as the students are working on music, there needs to be an easy way to call for their attention. The teacher is able to mute all of the headphones which allows the teacher to be heard.

Weaknesses:

• Privacy - a student may be working on a melody that he or she may not want others to hear at this point in time. For example, they may be embarrassed by it as it has not been developed enough, or they may have produced a golden riff that they don't want others to hear and take inspiration from.
• Authenticity - as the teacher is able to modify students' work, it is possible that the teacher may help the student a little too much, to the point where the student isn't fully creating their own work.
• Getting out of "the zone" - being continuously interrupted would be incredibly annoying for students who are deep into the development of their tracks and do not want to be bothered.

Opportunities:

• Collaboration - a great feature of the software is that it allows two people on two separate computers to work on the same project. This is akin to a wiki or a shared Google Doc, in that many users can alter it at the same time. This could have a massive market in the digital music collaboration industry.

Threats:

• Malicious users/hackers - the main computer has significant power in that it can access and alter all of the other computers in the lab. Should a malicious user gain access to that computer, they could cause some serious damage.
• Privacy (again) - it is an uneasy feeling knowing that your computer and therefore your work can be altered. However in this environment, you know who can see your screen, and the logical reasons as to why. But this does open your eyes to the privacy implications of the wider internet. It should be understood and accepted that anything an everything you do on the internet has the possibility of being monitored.

Considerations Designing for Remote Participation

There are a few considerations when it comes to designing for remote participation in learning programmes.

The first and most obvious is, can the students connect? That is, do the students have an adequate internet connection? If so, do they have sufficient data on their plan to allow video conferencing five times per week? And do the students have access to computers or other devices to connect? Do the students have the necessary peripherals such as a headset or microphone? Does their headset plug into their mobile device (if they don't have computer access)? A solution to this problem would be to ensure that the students remotely connecting have these necessary peripherals and know how to correctly set them up. The teacher could ask the students to speak to them through their microphone, and ask them if the audio and video is adequate.

The second consideration is, can the students interact with the teacher and other students? Using software such as Adobe Connect is great, as students can speak through their microphones, and hear the lecturer in class. Hearing students in the class is a bit more difficult. This is bridged in Adobe Connect by the chat window, which allows students to communicate (without interrupting the lecturer).

The third consideration is, can the remote students see and hear clearly? Is the quality of the peripherals such as video cameras and microphones sufficient? Is the internet connection good enough to allow for smooth transmission? It can be difficult at times to see what is written on a whiteboard over a webcam. These problems can be solved by using quality peripherals. These peripherals are improving all the time, as with internet connection speeds. Therefore I think over time these issues will become less significant. Using a smartboard on a shared screen with Adobe Connect is a great alternative to writing on a whiteboard for the remote students, as it displays hand-written information much more clearly.

The final consideration I have is, do the remote students have access to the same resources as those physically in class? Traditionally, paper handouts were given out, but it is now more common for learning material to be placed almost exclusively on the internet. Should the class be given handouts, the remote students should be given a link to a web page or PDF file with the same content, so they can print it out should they wish.

Activity 7.1 Reflection, Learning Technologies @ EIT

Last week, we had a walkabout to the music block on the campus. We got a interesting introduction in a fantastic digital technology software called "Faronics Insight" by a tutor. The software enables a high interactive learning and especially a high learning success. Never before, it was so uncomplicated to have the class under control simply with one software. Nobody is getting the opportunity to distract itself with doing other things like Facebooking. With that software, the teacher is getting the possibility to have a overview about all PC's and even can project a desk of anybody on the beamer. That increase the concentration of the students. A big advantage is the function "Desktop-Management". It is not needed anymore to walk through the class for helping students. In my opinion a disadvantage is more or less the observation. Students should not get in pressure based on that.

Strenghts

• Teaching without walking around class
• Having the overview about all desks of the students 
• Share informations
• Possibility to access on students computers for helping

Weaknesses

• Tutor is controlling you, no privacy
• use of apple
• storing amounts just 6 months

Opportunities

• Access from different parts for a greate collaboration

 Threats

• The tutor is able to change something (advantage/disadvantage)
• Less privacy   

Consideration

If you are getting a bad connection you should able to use a offline modus, where everyone is using the same program

Assessed Activity 7.1

Campus Walkabout

Reflection on the issues surrounding the use of digital learning technologies

STRENGTHS

• Being able to share with the class remotely from the tutors computer.
• The tutor being able to block or allow certain programs/websites.
• I thought that being able to mute the students sound and speak to them through the microphone was a very useful tool especially in a music class.

WEAKNESSES

• The use of mac's. Having to learn a different operating system.
• not being able to edit your submissions to the drop box.
• If another student wanted to share his screen with another student he can only do so from the tutors computer

OPPORTUNITIES and THREATS

• I guess the opportunity for Plagiarism is a little higher with everyone's screen being visible on the projector at the front of the class.
• If anyone wanted to change anything they would only need to access the tutor computer at the front of the class.

CONSIDERATIONS

• When designing learning remotely you need to consider if you are going to be online or offline. Adobe Connect is excellent for video conferencing online, but if your internet connection is playing up or the drivers for your webcam wont install then you are going to run into some serious issues.
• Insight is a good example of offline remote learning. All of the computers in the lab run the same software and don't require an internet connection to communicate with the tutor or other members of the class.

cameron garnett

digital learning technologies what are the benefits?

Insight by Faronics

During the first week of April our DLT tutor took us on a "Field trip" to the music block of EIT. We were greeted by the tutor there; Tom he then proceeded to show us the "teaching program" that he uses to teach students.

I emphasize the term teaching Program loosely as it reminded me more of the 'nanny care' program that was used to control and watch students and I at high school, The program itself has potential to be a great piece of collaboration software as i feel that is what he uses it for. But it also contains features that seem very draconian and out of place for a teaching tool But if used by the right person this program can achieve much in the end, i feel.

It seems to be running extremely well on Apple Macs. Further questions were asked about the program in regards to its content containment where we found out that the programs retains its content saved on the mac for 6 months where it becomes to bloated where they proceeded to wipe it clean then.

Overall it seems like a great program with a few niggles that when left alone do not effect the overall experience.

Post By Phyzard, (Blair Turpin)

Assessed Activity 7.1|Reflection, Learning Technologies@EIT

After having a walk in a music block in the campus this afternoon, I was really impressed with the digital technology used in there, especially the amazing software which Tom introduced is called Insight by Faronics. It is a software that the teachers can control the student’s computers and block them to surf specific websites or use specific application. This is a great technology to track whether students are concentrating on class.

Here is the picture of the classroom. Although there is space for students to do group work, students still have some individual work that need to do with their Mac computers. It is difficult for teachers to check whether students are doing with their computers at the back. Let's talk about the strengths and opportunities of using this technology. According to Tom, Insight offers a set of functions that teachers are able to use their computers to check all students’ computer screens, control or do stuffs on them and even log out. To a certain extent it is a good way which teachers don’t have to walk around to check in the classroom. Teachers can also block some websites and applications to prevent students looking at non-related websites in class like Facebook or listening to music in iTunes. This greatly improves the concentration of students in class. Teachers can share important information in their computers through projector like the image above. It is much easier for students to follow. They also able to share one of the student’s screen to other students. This provides opportunity for students to share their work to others in the screen but not being surrounded by other classmates.

As Tom mentioned they tried to make the music school transparent, however I found that there were a few weaknesses about the technology in music block. For example, teacher would like to share a student’s screen to classmates after asking that student. Although most of the students didn't mind to do that, there were still a possibility that a minor group of students felt shy to share. They actually didn't want to do that but they felt embarrassing to say no to the teacher. Another thing was about the Mac computers, student were not able to edit their assignments once they uploaded into the drop box. This would be a little inconvenience  because they could not make any changes before submission. Apart from the weaknesses, let’s talking the threats of using the Insight software. For me, it will definitely make me feel nervous because I don’t know when the teacher is going to see my computers even if there is a sign to tell you when he is looking at me. Though I’m not doing something not related to class, there’s still a pressure.

I think the consideration for remote participation is the user-interface. It is important that the technology is easy for people to understand and use, such as Adobe Connect. People just need to enter their name and connect to it with a stable internet, then they are able to catch the lesson and interact with other people. By using digital learning technologies, the ways of learning and teaching are absolutely improved and bring us positive impacts rather than the negative.