Our group chose to use Vyew as our tool. Vywe allowed for easy sign-up and easy creation of the conference. Through our Vyew web-conference, we have opted to create a tutorial focusing on how to foster classroom collaboration through the use of Google Tools(Google Spreadsheets, Google Presentations, Google Sites, Google Drawings). During our Vyew web-conference, we each utilized head-sets in order to discuss the project and options related to completing it. Initially, we used the chat feature until we all opted to talk live.
To begin, we added the assignment description for the Group Leadership Project to the shared screen. Once we all re-visited the assignment’s purpose and goals, we began discussing topic options. While we were discussing options and sharing ideas, some of us recorded notes on the sides of the screen, re-capping items discussed. We decided to present our tutorial on collaboration by completing a slideshare as a final product. The group decided it was important that we all be able to collaborate rather than having one person compile all the information, thus we chose to use Google Presentations. It was also discussed that we would narrate the tutorial using a screencasting tool. Along with a slide presentation playing, we will record using a tool like SMART Recorder or Jing. After discussing the timeline of the project and the next piece, we set a date and time to complete another web-conference (April 11th) with Vyew.
Aside from setting up our next web-conference time, we also set a tentative schedule and outline for accomplishing the entire group task. Using the given due dates, we worked backward to all agree upon realistic dates we could have drafts completed in order for the work to be collaboratively reviewed. There was a bit of confusion on the part of the group regarding the next portion of the assignment, so we decided we needed clarification from the instructor before we moved forward with the specifics of the storyboard. During the web-conference, we also created a shared Google Presentation that will evolve into our final product as well as a shared document to use for script writing.
Vyew had many distinct advantages. We all were easily able to access the conference and set up free accounts in order to collaborate. Communicating as a group once we were all logged in was also fairly easy. All of us began chatting in the built-in chat feature, and soon switched over to our microphones and head-sets. I also appreciated the ability to upload and view shared files through Vyew. We all began looking at rubrics and assignment descriptions on our own computers and that was a bit challenging, so we were able to upload those same documents to the shared space, and it made following along in the conversation and process much easier. Vyew allows users to keep notes of topics and items discussed. This was helpful for our group as we would share ideas and brainstorm, and after we came to a consensus, we would make notes of the actual action or plan we were going to follow.
Although I felt that our chosen web-conferencing tool, Vyew, aided in our group’s progress, there were some disadvantages to it. One of the most difficult issues was the lag time of the speakers/microphones. We sometimes got tripped up on either waiting for the sound to come through or not waiting long enough. As time went on in the session, I think everyone adapted to the lag time and it did not hinder our progress. One other disadvantage with using Vyew was the confusion about finding documents that are uploaded. A few of us uploaded documents that we were hoping would be viewable by all the group members. They were easily uploaded, but they did not automatically appear, and it took some hunting to find the items we were all hoping to view together. I did not particularly like the way Vyew organizes the notes we were adding to the shared screen. They were alphabetized by the first word. I would have much rather they were organized chronologically, as we found ourselves sifting through each note added in order to post a reply or comment.
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