technology guide educational development centre … · 2014-01-21 · big bluebutton was developed...

TECHNOLOGY GUIDE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

P:613-520-4433 E:[email protected] O:410 Dunton Tower W:carleton.ca/edc

SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING TOOLS WHAT ARE SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING TOOLS? Synchronous learning tools provide a virtual learning environment for students. They offer more flexibility to instructors administering course content and allow for live classroom collaboration for distance learners. BigBlueButton (BBB) is a web-based program that allows instructors to set up an online class collaboration session. People can participate in the session remotely, so even students who can’t come to campus can still take part. This gives instructors the ability to interact with their students live, rather than relying on cuLearn announcements, emails, or waiting until the next class to deliver pertinent information. WAYS TO USE SYNCHRONOUS LEARNING

1. Process teaching – show your students how to work a program or tackle a problem live. You can also show them where to find resources you’ve uploaded to cuLearn and demonstrate your expectations for an assignment. Immerse your class in a new environment that allows significantly greater participation and room to bounce around new ideas.

2. Remote guest speaker – have specialist in the field guest lecture and contribute your students’

knowledge without having to arrange for them to be physically present in your classroom. 3. Online office hours – supplement your office hours with pre-scheduled online hours. Address all

your students’ questions in one setting, while still being able to collaborate privately with T.A.s to keep them on the same page. With your entire class logged in to a pre-scheduled session, get your message across instantly to all participants without having to repeat yourself.

4. Make up for distance – with Voice Over Internet (VoIP) functionality, you can see the person

you’re talking to, but even if you’re not equipped with a webcam, you can still speak to them. Users without access to a computer with a microphone can still join in by calling the session phone number.

5. Let students help you teach - one main concern in a traditional classroom setting has been the

inability for students to communicate with the instructor to verify their comprehension of materials. Encourage student input and offer bonus points for greater participation.

BIGBLUEBUTTON BigBlueButton is an open source that enables web conference calling through a webcam and microphone. Big BlueButton was developed by Carleton’s TIM (Technology Innovation Management) program. bigbluebutton.org



BEST PRACTICES 1. Preset the correct settings before commencing any activity. Let students know that they need to

have an up-to-date version of Java and Adobe Flash Player installed on their machines in order for BigBlueButton to work.

2. Adjust your firewall, if needed, so that BigBlueButton will be allowed access through your internet connection. Ensure that BigBlueButton is one of your trusted items.

3. Orient yourself with the interface - first-time users will often need some time to become accustomed to their synchronous learning tool prior to bringing the class into the environment.

4. Set an itinerary for your BigBlueButton sessions rather than playing it as you go, so that students will know what you have planned and not lose interest. Keep the class on task. Once the session has begun, ask students to confirm that they are not experiencing any technical issues and that they are ready to proceed.

ADVANTAGES OF BIGBLUEBUTTON

• Hold online office hours – this can be done either by you or a teaching assistant. It’s a great way to reach students who cannot meet office hours due to scheduling.

• Interact with students from the comfort of your own home. • Reach students through distance education; opening opportunities for other students to learn. • Show the video window and utilise your webcam so your class can hear and see you. USING BIGBLUEBUTTON • EDC BBB rooms:

1. Go to edc.bigbluebutton.org 2. Enter your login information as follws:

• Students: Full Name = (your full name) Password = student

• Instructors: Logins to moderate/run a meeting are provided by the EDC. If you did not receive a password or username, please contact [email protected].

3. Choose your classroom using the drop down menu below your username/full name. Classrooms #1, 2, 3 & 4 are free to use if you want to try it out before setting up classroom of your own.

• Using BBB in cuLearn:

1. Log in to your cuLearn course 2. Turn editing on 3. Navigate to the section you want to add the BBB room to 4. Click the add activity dropdown menu 5. Select “BigBlueButton” 6. Set up the desired settings for your BBB session 7. Click “save changes”



GETTING THE HANG OF BIGBLUEBUTTON BigBlueButton has a student view and a teacher/designer view. As such, in your role as classroom presenter, you’ll have many more features that your students, or viewers, do not. Once the virtual classroom loads, you’ll see 3 primary windows: users, presentations and chat.

USERS The users box displays classroom participants. The icon beside your name under the status column indicates your role in the classroom. This icon represents the classroom presenter/instructor/designer.

• You can change who the presenter is by clicking the space under “Status” next to the user name.

The listeners box is only active if you want an audio component to your presentation. This would require a microphone on your end, as well as for the students if you expect them to interact with you using voice.

• You can mute the students’ microphones by clicking on the microphone icon beside their name.

• You may eject a person from the audio conversation by highlighting their name and clicking the eject button.

PRESENTATIONS The presentations box is the core of the BigBlueButton features, as it enables you to interact with your students through visuals. The BigBlueButton program enables you to upload any Microsoft application file (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.) in addition to PDF files and images. It presents the files within the presentation box in a format viewable to all students even if their computers do not support Microsoft programs. • To upload your presentation, click the Upload Presentation

button at the bottom left of the screen. Browse to find your presentation and click upload.

• Your presentation will load and in the presentation box window.



Once you’ve loaded your presentation, the box changes to provide more options. Everything within the presentation box will be visible to students. The title “presentation” changes to the title of the presentation you’re giving.

1. The two arrows allow you to scroll through your presentation. You can also go directly to a specific page in your presentation by clicking the number in the middle of the two arrows and selecting the page you want to go to.

2. The red dot is actually your mouse. Students will be able to see your mouse movement by following the red dot. This enables you to point out key concepts or direct their attention elsewhere.

3. You may also use the zoom feature to narrow in on a particular image. CHAT The final primary window is the chat box. This box enables text chatting with students. You can speak to all students individually, or set up a private chatting room with one particular student. • The chat window is viewable by all participants in the discussion. To chat

privately with one particular student, click on the Options button. It’ll bring up a dropdown menu featuring the names of all participants. Click their name and a separate chat window will open.

AUDIO / VIDEO / SCREEN SHARING Right above the user box are three icons: headphones, webcam and desktop view. • The headphones icon enables voice/audio

chat.

• The webcam will activate a webcam feature where students will be able to see you live on camera.

• The desktop view enables students to view your desktop screen in the event you want to show them something else not visible on the BigBlueButton presentation screen. You can choose to show the whole desktop or just part of your desktop with your students.

• The microphone allows the presenter to mute/unmute themselves. LOGGING OUTs When you’re all finished, say goodbye and click the logout button, featured in the top right-hand corner of your browser.

OTHER RESOURCES For more information on BigBlueButton, check out these tutorials available for both students and teachers www.bigbluebutton.org/content/videos.

technology guide educational development centre … · 2014-01-21 · big bluebutton was developed...

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