Comments on: Is Elluminate the answer? http://simonberry.ruralnet.org.uk/2008/01/14/is-elluminate-the-answer/ People, places and ICT Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:17:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Simon http://simonberry.ruralnet.org.uk/2008/01/14/is-elluminate-the-answer/#comment-1326 Simon Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:34:10 +0000 http://simonberry.ruralnet.org.uk/2008/01/14/is-elluminate-the-answer/#comment-1326 Here are a few suggestions on our use of Elluminate which came out of the session on 11/11/08. 1 It's all in the preparation - going in an hour before to prepare no longer works as everyone is already gathering and you get distracted - I think we (those who have received and prepared slides for the session) need to go in the day before (without the participants there) and build the presentation together then. Then one person saves it and it's that that goes up 30 mins before the session 2 Welcome screen Having something to do and an explanation when people arrive is important too I think 3 Page of links for each session? What about putting links to all the key materials on a website (blog) so that people who haven't downloaded them can go off and get them. This blog page could also have the links to the videos and any other useful resources. I could mock something up between now and the next session to deom this if that would help. 4 Break out rooms 1. I think people need to go off to breakout rooms with very clear tasks and things to come back to the plenary with specific things eg one burning question, three concerns, or whatever 5 Break out rooms 2. I think we need a 'default' screen for each break out room - this could also carry the DTA logo (to remind people!). 6 Break out rooms 3. Exit from the breakout rooms. There is a feature that allows a moderator to send a message into ALL rooms. Perhaps we could use this to warn people that time is running out. 7 Next session set-up May be a way forward is to treat the set-up of the next session as an informal training sesion for moderators - getting the next whteboard set up while exchanging hints and tips at the same time. 8 Profile And finally, maybe we could get people to log on early to set up their profiles - we'd put instructions on the 'welcome' whiteboard. 9 Smooth hand-over between moderators and participants We can't expect participants to do this but as moderators it's really good if we can 'handover' when we finish speaking eg 'Vicki, over to you'. We were doing this towards the end. 10 Minor stuff Moderators - put people's hands down for them if they don't Sort people in the participants list as follows: 1) sort by raised hands 2) moderators NOT at the top Here are a few suggestions on our use of Elluminate which came out of the session on 11/11/08.
1 It’s all in the preparation
- going in an hour before to prepare no longer works as everyone is already gathering and you get distracted
- I think we (those who have received and prepared slides for the session) need to go in the day before (without the participants there) and build the presentation together then. Then one person saves it and it’s that that goes up 30 mins before the session
2 Welcome screen
Having something to do and an explanation when people arrive is important too I think
3 Page of links for each session?
What about putting links to all the key materials on a website (blog) so that people who haven’t downloaded them can go off and get them. This blog page could also have the links to the videos and any other useful resources. I could mock something up between now and the next session to deom this if that would help.
4 Break out rooms 1. I think people need to go off to breakout rooms with very clear tasks and things to come back to the plenary with specific things eg one burning question, three concerns, or whatever
5 Break out rooms 2.
I think we need a ‘default’ screen for each break out room - this could also carry the DTA logo (to remind people!).
6 Break out rooms 3.
Exit from the breakout rooms. There is a feature that allows a moderator to send a message into ALL rooms. Perhaps we could use this to warn people that time is running out.
7 Next session set-up
May be a way forward is to treat the set-up of the next session as an informal training sesion for moderators - getting the next whteboard set up while exchanging hints and tips at the same time.
8 Profile
And finally, maybe we could get people to log on early to set up their profiles - we’d put instructions on the ‘welcome’ whiteboard.
9 Smooth hand-over between moderators and participants
We can’t expect participants to do this but as moderators it’s really good if we can ‘handover’ when we finish speaking eg ‘Vicki, over to you’. We were doing this towards the end.
10 Minor stuff
Moderators - put people’s hands down for them if they don’t
Sort people in the participants list as follows: 1) sort by raised hands 2) moderators NOT at the top

]]> By: Beth Gallob http://simonberry.ruralnet.org.uk/2008/01/14/is-elluminate-the-answer/#comment-18 Beth Gallob Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:56:38 +0000 http://simonberry.ruralnet.org.uk/2008/01/14/is-elluminate-the-answer/#comment-18 Thanks for your post, Simon. At Elluminate, we believe that live eLearning and web collaboration technology is transforming teaching and learning on a global level. And you are correct that it can certainly save time and money in a big way! I also love the tips you've provided. If you don't have your own personal virtual office yet, check out Elluminate vRoom. It's free and has all the functionality of Elluminate Live! (except recording)for up to three people. It's a great resource for smaller groups. If you're interested, just visit www.getvroom.com. Keep on "elluminating!" Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication Thanks for your post, Simon. At Elluminate, we believe that live eLearning and web collaboration technology is transforming teaching and learning on a global level. And you are correct that it can certainly save time and money in a big way! I also love the tips you’ve provided.

If you don’t have your own personal virtual office yet, check out Elluminate vRoom. It’s free and has all the functionality of Elluminate Live! (except recording)for up to three people. It’s a great resource for smaller groups. If you’re interested, just visit http://www.getvroom.com.

Keep on “elluminating!”

Beth, Elluminate Goddess of Communication

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