Virtual+Classroom

=Description=

To complete our virtual classroom environment, we were to create an archived Wimba session. The session was to teach students material that coincided with our instructional unit. Requirements were to include the course syllabus, include at least one type of media and archive the session. The archive feature of Wimba is a great tool to use when there are students are not able to attend the session. By archiving the session, students can view the session at their leisure. Within Wimba's virtual classroom, students are able to speak with one another as well as the instructor, raise their hand, click a check mark or 'x' button. These features are useful when the instructor wants information from students. For an example, the instructor can ask questions and the students can click the check mark for yes or correct/true and click the 'x; button for no or incorrect/false. Wimba is more of an ideal online classroom experience than simply giving assignments and showing PowerPoint slides, etc.

=Instructional Process=

When thinking about what I actually wanted to do in using Wimba to teach. I thought about keeping the students engaged and interested, so I knew I had to have some type of video/animation and keep something up for the visual learners. I chose to review warm and cold fronts through an online animation that was available through the textbook website(Pearsonsuccess.net). I also used an external site to do a short learning activity on thunderstorms and lightening. The students were first instructed to take out a sheet of paper and number it one through 8. I showed the students the animations of a cold front and warm front and what happens. Next, students were to have their sheet of paper handy along with a writing utensil. I pulled up a map and questions and the students were instructed to look at the map key. I read the questions to the students and they recorded their answers. After the students recorded an answer to all eight questions, we reviewed the answers. As I gave the correct answer, the student were to click the 'check mark' button to show that they recorded the correct answer or click the 'x' button to show that they recorded an incorrect answer. The virtual classroom ended with me showing the syllabus and shifting the students attention to the course outline document, point sheet, and rubrics within the syllabus.

=Reflection=

The virtual classroom assignment using Wimba was much easier than I expected it to be. After fixing an audio issue that I was struggling with, the recording portion of the assignment was a breeze. Wimba has many useful and effective features that I would like to use in the future. The archiving tool is a great feature for students to be able to review the session to take a second look at documents or any other media presented during the session. Being able to chat within the session as well as using webcam/video and live voice chatting is key to discussion and communication between student and teacher as well as student to student. Learning how to use Wimba's virtual classroom feature is a great skill and important to know if planning to teach an online course in the future. The virtual classroom is a tool that should be used in all online classrooms because there are always a handful of students who are visual learners and will need the visual stimulation in order to be successful in an online classroom environment.

To view the Earth Science syllabus click the link below:

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