The Wimba demonstration was really cool! I think Wimba's great, particularly the office hours feature. I really like the idea of holding office hours online so that I can be anywhere during office hours instead of actually stuck in my office. While I don't have anything in particular against my office - I actually really like it since I moved (for the 3rd time) - I also try to spend as little time there as possible. I'm much more comfortable working at home where I can sit on the couch in sweat pants if I feel like it. Plus, I LOVE my office mates but if they're there it is often very difficult to get work done. And, as I'm sure we all know from experience, it's one in a million that anyone actually shows up to office hours when you hold them. So Wimba office hours seems like a great alternative to me.
But, I'm a little apprehensive about utilizing Wimba in my own classroom. Maybe I'm not giving my students enough credit, but the idea of trying to explain the ins and outs of Wimba seems like a huge task. On top of the fact that I'm trying out a completely new format for my class, I don't know that I have the energy to implement yet another new 'thing' for the students to try out. Maybe next class? It's definitely something I want to try using at some point in the near future.
Anyway, right off the bat learning about Wimba has made me glad I decided to take the class. I'm looking forward to learning about more new technologies and thinking about how I can use them in my own classroom. I'm also really enjoying getting to know everyone.
Because there are other changes you've made in your course, you are probably making a wise choice in waiting to implement Wimba Pronto. Trying to do too much can be a set-up for frustration. Do keep it in mind for next time!
ReplyDeleteGlad you are enjoying the class so far. I'll try to keep it up!
I think that Wimba has a lot of potential, but I understand your apprehension. I would definitely wait to add it to your class until you've fully implemented the redesign of your course. I think you'll have a better idea of just how it could fit into your course once you've finished a semester.
ReplyDeleteI definitely see your point about office hours! I hadn't thought about it that way.
I think Wimba is a really neat tool, but I would want to really play with it before implementing it so you probably have a good idea with waiting. Love your blog theme btw - very aesthetic!
ReplyDeleteI agree that Wimba is really cool. It didn't work as well in the last class we had, but it seemed to work this semester so far. I understand your apprehension about incorporating it into your class, but it could be cool for connections at other schools. It would be like a skyping someone into your class to give a lecture or something.
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