eLearning eVolution

I was struck by the practical advice offered by Simon in the UK, who related what he learned about managing a virtual classroom session and promoting interactivity, which is, after all, what it’s all about. Simon is working on a project with the Trust Development Association, a network of community practitioners who work to benefit rural and urban neighborhoods (often those in economic decline), to trial the use of the virtual classroom for delivering training.

I personally like Simon’s recommendation to use photos, which can easily be added to your profile in Elluminate Live! Since I am the Goddess of Communication at Elluminate, I wear my tiara in my photo–which tells you that it’s not neccessary to use a formal studio headshot.

He’s also correct that you need to relate to attendees as individuals, addressing them by name and actively working to involve all participants in the activities of the session. I think it’s key to get people relaxed and ready to have a bit of fun. An introductory exercise, even something as simple as pointing out your location on a map on the whiteboard, can get things started.

What ways do you encourage and support interactivity in your online sessions? I’d love to hear from you.

- Beth, Elluminate GOC

Or should we say: when worlds collide? Not necessarily. Here’s a provacative topic thoughtfully discussed in this article on user- powered Webupon. Bottom line (of course) is that learning is the ultimate goal. And the technology shouldn’t get in the way. At Elluminate, we like to think of technology as a great enabler that’s transforming teaching and learning world wide.

Case in point: The Flat Classroom Project 2007, the brainchild of two teachers, Vicki Davis and Julie Lindsay. It’s a great example of using all kinds of tools (from Ning, Skype, and Twitter to Camtasia, Animoto, and Elluminate Live!) for a global-level, hands-on collaborative project for middle and senior high school students in seven schools in the U.S., Australia, China, Austria, and Qatar.

And if you want to know more about how IT and ID come together, view the recordings from Lance Dublin’s “Back to Basics” webinar series: “Developing an E-Learning Strategy and Architecture,” “Implementing E-Learning Successfully,” and “Understanding and Applying Learning 2.0.”

- Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication