This post is going to dig a little deeper into the world of webcasting, a tool many companies are using to educate their employees and consumers about their products. According to Wikipedia, “A webcast is a media file distributed over the Internet using streaming media technology. A webcast may either be distributed live or on demand. Essentially, webcasting is ‘broadcasting’ over the Internet”(Nov 8, 2009).
Here one study discusses Reinventing the Lecture: Webcasting Made Interactive (2003).
Experience a worldwide webcast first hand, join Oprah and CNN this Monday, November 9 (9pm EST) to be a part of a worldwide webcast, find out more here.
If you had the opportunity to be a part of this worldwide webcast event, what did you think?
Please post your thoughts and feedback about using webcasting as an educational tool. Is this something that will begin to evolve in the K-12 environment? Do you view webcasting as a positive or negative addition to the K-12 classroom? How do you feel about webcast for undergraduate and graduate work? In this course (AHRD 590/ECTC 612) we have had the opportunity to experience a type of webcast by watching the recorded Elluminate Live! sessions. Please post your thoughts about your experiences with webcasting.
I was unable to be a part of the worldwide webcast; however, I do think there are benefits to webcasting. In October, I attended a technology conference through JMU's Center for Instructional Technology. At this conference one of the professors presented "screencasting." At JMU he teaches a class on how to publish pieces using Adobe InDesign. In order to get through content involving successful layout design, he created various webcasts that utilized screenshots. He would record himself performing various functions within InDesign using Screencasting (a video recording of his computer screen) while using a voice-over to help students understand what was happening on the screen. This provided students with mini tutorials they could refer to when completing homework assignments.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this technique could be used in the K-12 classroom for students who struggle with homework assignments. Parents could also help students with homework by "catching up" on the material by watching webcasts published by the teacher. For example, if the teacher has assigned students a science fair project, the teacher could do a webcast on the project requirements, possible experiments, and other information that could assist students and parents.
Overall, webcasts are helpful educational tools and I think that as long as technology continues to grow and expand, webcasts will evolve into the K-12 curriculum.
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ReplyDeleteMonica,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. I agree that webcasting is a helpful educational tool that will evolve into the K12 classroom. Especially for complex projects like the science fair example you used.
Another way I see it being used as a "catch up" tool is for students who are away from class due to illness or other circumstances. Lectures could be recorded and posted for later access.
If interested the webcast from Oprah's Book Club is now available here:
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahsbookclub/pastselections/pkguwemakpan/20091109-obc-say-youre-one-of-them-webcast
Meghan
I have attended worldwide webcasts, and yes a couple of Oprah webcasts in my time. I have also attended numerous online meetings via collaboration web tools such as WebEx. I contend that as long as a webcast is age and learning level appropriate to a particular K-12 group, there is no reason why a webcast delivery method should not be utilized.
ReplyDeleteHowever, using webcasting to deliver all material for a course, I believe, would not be sufficient. Periodic and timely communication between instructor and students and between students and other students is critical when taking a course. So, having online discussionr and/or face-to-face meetings are essential in enabling students to fully succeed in the class.
Learn Central (http://www.learncentral.org/) sponsored by Elluminate aggregates many webcasts and will even allow you to start a professional series that they will promote, free of charge.
ReplyDeleteI believe webcasting as an educational tool will begin to evolve in the K-12 environment. Based on what I have seen and read, webcasting is a positive addition to the K-12 classroom, because it can supplement the students’ learning, just as we had discussed in the blended learning thread.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Monica when she stated that webcast could help students catch up on homework, but I do believe teachers will need to be careful as to how they structure them and how they affect the students’ grades. A student may choose to be absent and not have any repercussions from it due to being able to “watch” the class from home. I know of many students who skipped school repeatedly and were able to make-up work with no reduction in grade. They received grades that were equivalent, if not better, than many who attended and did their work honestly. Hopefully, it does not go this far.
I believe blended learning through webcasts is a wonderful idea for both undergraduate and graduate courses. Why waste money on huge lecture halls, electricity, and multiple professors when the lecture can be recorded, downloaded, and viewed at the student’s pace from their choice of location?
While I agree that webcasts are great avenues for learning and communication, I have been frustrated when webcast opportunities have come across my email. While it's accessible, because I have a computer with internet, and it's easier to attend because you don't have to travel, it's not always realistic for me to make the time to participate in the live webcast. Is it just me, or are many webcast invitations sent through email with 24-48 hours notice (tops!). With one or two days notice, I can't create room in my schedule to attend.
ReplyDeleteI do appreciate the opportunity to watch the conversation recorded after the live webcast is over, however I think I'm missing the largest benefit of webcasting - participation. Watching the recording afterwards moves the experience from active learning to passive learning, and I'm a big believer that active learning is always more beneficial. Am I the only person that needs more than a day or two of notice to attend a webinar - even though we don't have to travel?
I have had a few opportunities to attend live Web Cast sessions through Diversity Inc. I found it very beneficial to my job.
ReplyDeleteThe experience was very similar to our Elluminate sessions in that there were one or two presenters with many participants around the world.
Often times, people will skip the question and answer portions of the Web casts. I derive an enormous benefit from participating in them. My learning is enhanced by the questions that others ask that I did not think of myself.
At this point, I do not see how this would benefit K-12 classrooms, but I am sure that will change over time.
It is a definite home run in Higher Education and Corporate training sectors.
I think that webcasting may be a very useful tool in all educational settings. I think it is really multi-faceted and could be useful for adult learners who may be going through some sort of training, college students, and even K-12. Learning through webcasting can be designed to specifically meet the needs of the viewers which is definitely a plus. The webcasting designers can take into account the viewing audience when they are designing it which would make it much more age appropriate.
ReplyDeleteOne of the major problems with webcasting is something that we can probably all relate to. It fails. From time to time, all technology will fail and thus webcasting fails. It really helps learning as long as it is working properly, but as soon as the system crashes you are back to square one. So, that’s something that people definitely need to consider before using webcasting.