Explorations in Online Explorations in Online Learning using Adobe Learning using Adobe

ConnectConnect

Deirdre EnglehartDeirdre Englehart

Roz VeltenaarRoz Veltenaar

University of Central FloridaUniversity of Central Florida

dengleha@mail.ucf.edudengleha@mail.ucf.edu

IntroductionIntroductionAs a faculty member of the Early Childhood Education program As a faculty member of the Early Childhood Education program

at a regional campus for a large state university, there are at a regional campus for a large state university, there are numerous challenges to consider in promoting and continuing numerous challenges to consider in promoting and continuing our degree program. It is an ongoing challenge to maintain our degree program. It is an ongoing challenge to maintain and often increase enrollment while maintaining the pedagogy and often increase enrollment while maintaining the pedagogy that is advocated and central to our degree program. One that is advocated and central to our degree program. One important consideration is how to offer programs and important consideration is how to offer programs and coursework. Specifically, how can technology be used to coursework. Specifically, how can technology be used to support student learning in innovative and engaging ways that support student learning in innovative and engaging ways that are aligned with the program philosophy. the Early Childhood are aligned with the program philosophy. the Early Childhood Education program on regional campuses saw the need to Education program on regional campuses saw the need to combine programs at two different campuses to increase combine programs at two different campuses to increase overall enrollment and to reduce costs. This initial research is overall enrollment and to reduce costs. This initial research is an evaluation of the Adobe Connect meeting platform to an evaluation of the Adobe Connect meeting platform to support student learning through online class meetings which support student learning through online class meetings which connected two classrooms at different campuses and the use connected two classrooms at different campuses and the use of Adobe Connect to facilitate online class meetings where of Adobe Connect to facilitate online class meetings where students could attend at home.students could attend at home.

Online LearningOnline LearningChallenges for education institutions outlined by the Challenges for education institutions outlined by the

New Media Consortium (2009) include the fact that New Media Consortium (2009) include the fact that students are different from 20 or 30 years ago and students are different from 20 or 30 years ago and that we need to support different and unique ways that we need to support different and unique ways of teaching and learning. "Institutions need to of teaching and learning. "Institutions need to adapt to current student needs and identify new adapt to current student needs and identify new learning models that are engaging to younger learning models that are engaging to younger generations" (New Media Consortium, p. 6).generations" (New Media Consortium, p. 6).

Motamedi (2001) describes distance education as Motamedi (2001) describes distance education as instructional delivery that takes place when instructional delivery that takes place when learners and teachers are separated during the learners and teachers are separated during the process of instruction by time and physical process of instruction by time and physical distance. distance.

Online learning is a growing trend in higher education Online learning is a growing trend in higher education and one that allows an expansion of ways to connect and one that allows an expansion of ways to connect with learners and to share content and pedagogy. with learners and to share content and pedagogy. Fletcher, Zhen, Garthwait and Pratt (2008) speak of Fletcher, Zhen, Garthwait and Pratt (2008) speak of online course management applications which relate online course management applications which relate to teaching and learning in the online environment. It to teaching and learning in the online environment. It "includes the use of formal and informal course "includes the use of formal and informal course management systems to organize and support management systems to organize and support student learning online with dynamic and flexible student learning online with dynamic and flexible communication and interactions" (p. 2).communication and interactions" (p. 2).

Motamedi (2001) explains that the most common Motamedi (2001) explains that the most common delivery method in distance education are print delivery method in distance education are print based delivery which is supplemented with video or based delivery which is supplemented with video or audiotape. One of the features of web-based audiotape. One of the features of web-based conferencing is the asynchronous or time delayed conferencing is the asynchronous or time delayed interactions. Research has shown that instruction interactions. Research has shown that instruction through 'distance education' can be effective. through 'distance education' can be effective.

Video ConferencingVideo ConferencingMotamedi (2001) describes the world as a global village Motamedi (2001) describes the world as a global village

with school and work becoming gradually more available with school and work becoming gradually more available at home at any time. Web conferencing and video at home at any time. Web conferencing and video conferencing are becoming increasingly popular to conferencing are becoming increasingly popular to support teaching and learning at higher education support teaching and learning at higher education institutions (Reushle & Loch, 2008, Motamedi, 2001). institutions (Reushle & Loch, 2008, Motamedi, 2001). Video conferencing is described as two-way video, audio Video conferencing is described as two-way video, audio and sometimes data across long distances. Video and sometimes data across long distances. Video conferencing can be delivered to room sized audiences conferencing can be delivered to room sized audiences or to a person's desktop.or to a person's desktop.

Motamedi (2001) outlines some factors for success related Motamedi (2001) outlines some factors for success related to video conferencing including the number of sites, to video conferencing including the number of sites, number of students at the sites, instructors teaching number of students at the sites, instructors teaching style, degree of interactivity, motivation of students, style, degree of interactivity, motivation of students, positive attitude of participants and preparation of the positive attitude of participants and preparation of the instructor.instructor.

MethodologyMethodologyThe purpose of this study was to The purpose of this study was to

evaluate the use of Adobe connect as evaluate the use of Adobe connect as a class meeting platform. a class meeting platform. Specifically, Specifically,

– What are students perceptions of What are students perceptions of instruction in the instruction in the Classroom to Classroom to Classroom formatClassroom format for class meetings? for class meetings?

– What are student perceptions of What are student perceptions of instruction in the instruction in the Online class meetingsOnline class meetings??

ParticipantsParticipantsThe participants in this research were Early Childhood The participants in this research were Early Childhood

Education undergraduate students taking courses in the Education undergraduate students taking courses in the ECE program in a large university in the southeast. Students ECE program in a large university in the southeast. Students were enrolled in courses at two regional campus locations were enrolled in courses at two regional campus locations for the university. Approximately 40 students were invited for the university. Approximately 40 students were invited to participate in this research by completing an anonymous to participate in this research by completing an anonymous survey linked in two early childhood courses over two survey linked in two early childhood courses over two different semesters (Fall 2008, Spring 2009).different semesters (Fall 2008, Spring 2009).

In the Fall 2008 term, 16 students took courses that integrated the use of In the Fall 2008 term, 16 students took courses that integrated the use of online class meetings. Nine students responded to the survey (n=9), all online class meetings. Nine students responded to the survey (n=9), all of the students were of the students were female with an age range of 22-46 years old. female with an age range of 22-46 years old.

In the Spring 2009 term, 27 students took courses that integrated the use In the Spring 2009 term, 27 students took courses that integrated the use of Adobe connect in two different formats. Adobe connect was used to of Adobe connect in two different formats. Adobe connect was used to facilitate classroom to classroom meetings across two campuses and facilitate classroom to classroom meetings across two campuses and Adobe connect was used to conduct online class meetings where Adobe connect was used to conduct online class meetings where students could attend from home. Seven students responded to the students could attend from home. Seven students responded to the survey (n=7), all of the students were female with an age range of 21-survey (n=7), all of the students were female with an age range of 21-28 years old. 28 years old.

Adobe Connect PlatformAdobe Connect PlatformAdobe Connect is a Web-Adobe Connect is a Web-

based collaboration based collaboration system that helps to system that helps to connect participants connect participants virtually as well as to virtually as well as to support multi-media support multi-media presentations and presentations and collaborations. Students collaborations. Students log into a website that has log into a website that has the potential to use video the potential to use video and audio conferencing, and audio conferencing, chat tools, presentations chat tools, presentations and other multimedia that and other multimedia that is downloaded to the is downloaded to the website.website.

Project DescriptionProject Description• The project included the use of The project included the use of

Adobe Connect to facilitate online Adobe Connect to facilitate online class meetings. The class class meetings. The class meetings took two separate meetings took two separate formats: classroom to classroom formats: classroom to classroom and online class meetings from and online class meetings from home. The classroom to home. The classroom to classroom meetings used Adobe classroom meetings used Adobe connect to facilitate the connect to facilitate the connection between two separate connection between two separate campus locations and classrooms campus locations and classrooms for class meetings. The online for class meetings. The online class meetings from home class meetings from home allowed students to interact and allowed students to interact and construct their understandings construct their understandings together in their own hometogether in their own home

Overall Course Overall Course PreferencesPreferences

Students from both Students from both groups were asked for groups were asked for their preference in their preference in how courses were how courses were offered. Choices were offered. Choices were fully online, partially fully online, partially online with 3 or 4 face online with 3 or 4 face to face meetings, to face meetings, partially online with partially online with online meetings and online meetings and face to face. The face to face. The majority of students majority of students preferred online preferred online meetings.meetings.

partially online - online meetingspartially online 3 meetingsfully online

preference

10

8

6

4

2

0

Frequency

preference

Interactions in the Interactions in the CourseCourse

Students in group 1 (Fall 2008) only Students in group 1 (Fall 2008) only participated in online class meetings from participated in online class meetings from home. They were asked to determine if the home. They were asked to determine if the interactions with the teacher were better, interactions with the teacher were better, worse or similar to face to face interactions worse or similar to face to face interactions in the classroom. The results showed that in the classroom. The results showed that most students had neutral feelings about most students had neutral feelings about the interactions with the teacher indicating the interactions with the teacher indicating they were similar to face to face they were similar to face to face interactions. Related to interactions with interactions. Related to interactions with other students, 62.5% indicted the other students, 62.5% indicted the interactions were similar with 25% of interactions were similar with 25% of students saying they were better and students saying they were better and 12.5% of students indicating interactions 12.5% of students indicating interactions were worse than in a regular classroom. were worse than in a regular classroom. The last area that was related to overall The last area that was related to overall ability to conduct the class meeting online ability to conduct the class meeting online are 75% of students felt the meeting was are 75% of students felt the meeting was similar with 12.5% indicating it was better similar with 12.5% indicating it was better online and 12.5% indicating it was much online and 12.5% indicating it was much worse.worse.

much worseneutralbetter

overall

6

5

4

3

2

1

0Frequency

overall

Overall Course Overall Course InteractionsInteractions

Students in group 2 (Spring 2009) did not Students in group 2 (Spring 2009) did not distinguish the classroom to classroom distinguish the classroom to classroom interactions using Adobe connect with the interactions using Adobe connect with the Online class meetings using the platform in Online class meetings using the platform in the survey. The results from them indicate the survey. The results from them indicate overall negative feelings related to the use of overall negative feelings related to the use of the Adobe system. For interactions with the the Adobe system. For interactions with the teacher only 16.7% of students indicated the teacher only 16.7% of students indicated the interactions were similar, 33.3% indicated interactions were similar, 33.3% indicated the interactions were worse and 50% indicate the interactions were worse and 50% indicate they were much worse. The next area they were much worse. The next area addressed the interactions with other addressed the interactions with other students, here we find 14.3% found the students, here we find 14.3% found the interactions similar, 42.9% found the interactions similar, 42.9% found the interactions worse and 42.9% found them to interactions worse and 42.9% found them to be much worse. The last area was the overall be much worse. The last area was the overall ability to conduct the class meetings online ability to conduct the class meetings online with 16.7% feelings the meetings were worse with 16.7% feelings the meetings were worse and 83.3% indicating they were much worse.and 83.3% indicating they were much worse.

much worseworse

overall2

5

4

3

2

1

0

Frequency

overall2

Additional CommentsAdditional CommentsStudents in group 2 (Spring 2009) were also invited to provide Students in group 2 (Spring 2009) were also invited to provide

comments along with their ratings. One questions they comments along with their ratings. One questions they addressed was, addressed was, "How did the online meeting compare to the "How did the online meeting compare to the face to face (between campus meetings)? Did you feel more face to face (between campus meetings)? Did you feel more connected in one format over the other? (Short Answer)"connected in one format over the other? (Short Answer)" The The following comments help to clarify the feelings related to the following comments help to clarify the feelings related to the use of Adobe connect during class to class meetings and online use of Adobe connect during class to class meetings and online meetings from home. meetings from home. – I think on-line was just as good as sitting in the class.I think on-line was just as good as sitting in the class.– I prefer the online meetings. It is more convenient with a working I prefer the online meetings. It is more convenient with a working

schedule and I felt just as connected.schedule and I felt just as connected.– I think I felt more connected in the online class as we could write to I think I felt more connected in the online class as we could write to

you if we had questions. I did not feel connected in the face to face you if we had questions. I did not feel connected in the face to face classes as we were in two different places.classes as we were in two different places.

– I liked the face to face meetings better. Only because I am not very I liked the face to face meetings better. Only because I am not very good with technology and had home distractions as well.good with technology and had home distractions as well.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Advantages and Disadvantages of Adobe ConnectAdobe Connect

Classroom to Classroom

Advantages Disadvantages

•saves time and money•connect with students from other campuses

•technical problems•less connected to instructor if you are on the opposite classroom•downtime during activities

ONLINE Meetings

Advantages Disadvantages

•work from home/easier to attend•group work more efficient•saves time and money•connect with students from other campuses

•technical problems•less hands-on•no time for note-taking•difficult typing to share ideas

DiscussionDiscussion• "Teacher educators continually strive for "Teacher educators continually strive for

college classroom teaching techniques that college classroom teaching techniques that are effective and dynamic" (Wursta, Brown-are effective and dynamic" (Wursta, Brown-DuPaul and Segatti, 2004). The use of DuPaul and Segatti, 2004). The use of Adobe connect for conducting Adobe connect for conducting online class online class meetingsmeetings is one technique that provides a is one technique that provides a unique format for course delivery. Although unique format for course delivery. Although there are some obstacles to overcome there are some obstacles to overcome related to Adobe connect from this initial related to Adobe connect from this initial research, the online class meeting format research, the online class meeting format seemed to be the most popular for seemed to be the most popular for studentsstudents. .

• One interesting finding from the survey and added One interesting finding from the survey and added comments was that students generally felt more comments was that students generally felt more connected in the online meetings than in the classroom connected in the online meetings than in the classroom to classroom meetings. Reushle (2006) emphasized the to classroom meetings. Reushle (2006) emphasized the learning community in her research stating, "The online learning community in her research stating, "The online environment supports learning as a community activity. environment supports learning as a community activity. Dialogue or discourse (learners to learners; learners to Dialogue or discourse (learners to learners; learners to facilitator/s) is vital to sustaining the learning community facilitator/s) is vital to sustaining the learning community and maintaining a sense of connected, human presence" and maintaining a sense of connected, human presence" (p. 3). (p. 3).

• In the classroom to classroom interactions, when In the classroom to classroom interactions, when students were not in the host classroom, they indicated students were not in the host classroom, they indicated they did not feel as connected and able to interact with they did not feel as connected and able to interact with the instructor. When students attended the class the instructor. When students attended the class meetings online, they had a closer view of the instructor meetings online, they had a closer view of the instructor and seemed to feel more connected that way. and seemed to feel more connected that way.

• Technology was named a disadvantage of using Adobe Technology was named a disadvantage of using Adobe Connect in both formats: classroom to classroom and Connect in both formats: classroom to classroom and during online class meetings from home. It should be during online class meetings from home. It should be noted that the classroom-to-classroom meetings had noted that the classroom-to-classroom meetings had technology problems because of the lack of experience technology problems because of the lack of experience in the IT staff with the new technology, lack of funding in the IT staff with the new technology, lack of funding for needed equipment, identified and corrected network for needed equipment, identified and corrected network problems, and problems with existing equipment.problems, and problems with existing equipment.

• Park and Bonk conclude that "Instructors need to Park and Bonk conclude that "Instructors need to provide students with effective learning approaches for provide students with effective learning approaches for time-pressed live learning and encourage students to time-pressed live learning and encourage students to share, experiment and reflect on new strategies" (p. share, experiment and reflect on new strategies" (p. 260). Further research on the use of Adobe connect and 260). Further research on the use of Adobe connect and other video conferencing technologies would be other video conferencing technologies would be appropriate to continue to learn about its effectiveness appropriate to continue to learn about its effectiveness as a tool for education students and to allow students as a tool for education students and to allow students to share their experiences of learning in this to share their experiences of learning in this synchronous environment.synchronous environment.

ReferencesReferences• Motamedi, V. (2001). A critical look at the use of videoconferencing in United States distance Motamedi, V. (2001). A critical look at the use of videoconferencing in United States distance

education, education, Education,Education, 122(2) 386-394. 122(2) 386-394.

• Fletcher, J.D., Tobias, S., & Wisher, R. A. (2007). Learning anytime, anywhere: Advanced Fletcher, J.D., Tobias, S., & Wisher, R. A. (2007). Learning anytime, anywhere: Advanced distributed learning and the changing face of education, distributed learning and the changing face of education, Educational ResearcherEducational Researcher, 36(2), 96-102., 36(2), 96-102.

• Park, Y. J. & Bonk, C. J. (2007). Synchronous learning experiences: Distance and residential Park, Y. J. & Bonk, C. J. (2007). Synchronous learning experiences: Distance and residential learners’ perspectives in a blended graduate course. learners’ perspectives in a blended graduate course. Journal of Interactive Online Learning.Journal of Interactive Online Learning. 6(3), 6(3), 245-264.245-264.

• Reushle, S. E. (2006). A framework for designing higher education e-learningReushle, S. E. (2006). A framework for designing higher education e-learning

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• Reushle, S. & Loch, B. (2008). Conducting a trial of web conferencing software: Why, how, and Reushle, S. & Loch, B. (2008). Conducting a trial of web conferencing software: Why, how, and perceptions from the coalface, perceptions from the coalface, Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9(3), 19-28.9(3), 19-28.

• Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved May 12, Siemens, G. (2004). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. Retrieved May 12, 2009, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm.2009, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/connectivism.htm.

• The New Media Consortium & EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. (2009). The New Media Consortium & EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. (2009). The Horizon Report, 2009 The Horizon Report, 2009 edition. edition. Retrieved May 12, 2009 from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2009-Horizon-Report.pdfRetrieved May 12, 2009 from http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2009-Horizon-Report.pdf

• Wursta, M. Brown-DuPaul, J. & Segatti, L. (2004). Teacher education: Linking theory to practice Wursta, M. Brown-DuPaul, J. & Segatti, L. (2004). Teacher education: Linking theory to practice through digital technology, through digital technology, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, 28, 787-79428, 787-794..

• Zhen, Y., Garthwait, A. & Pratt, P. (2008). Factors affecting faculty members’ decision to teach Zhen, Y., Garthwait, A. & Pratt, P. (2008). Factors affecting faculty members’ decision to teach or not to teach online in higher education, or not to teach online in higher education, Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration (XI) III, 1-21.(XI) III, 1-21.