Facilitating+a+Virtual+Classroom+Activity

Facilitating a Virtual Classroom Activity Description and Process  The activity is referred to as our WIMBA classroom. In this assignment we were to come up with a WIMBA learning classroom with a powerpoint and utilize our webcams to record ourselves giving the instruction. Our WIMBA classroom was then going to be put on our Blackboard Class page as a content menu tab. So they had to relate to one another. I decided to stick with Chapter1 Gross Pay. I previously had a powerpoint for this chapter for my high school classroom and I took that powerpoint and revised it so that it was a better fit for the WIMBA classroom experience. Screencasts were provided as resources to use and I found them very helpful in setting up my WIMBA classroom and recording the MP4 file.

Effectiveness as an Educational Tool  I think the WIMBA classroom is a great educational tool and I think it would be very effective in the education. As stated before, education is becoming more technology innovative and this will prove to be beneficial. To be able to teach and demonstrate remotely is such a big stepping stone. We all have had students who have been out for a week, a few days and this would help the students who have missed work. This will also give students the opportunity and exposure to learn about more technology themselves. And we know that technology isn't going anywhere. I could definitely see myself using this in my classroom especially with lecture based classes.

Reflection  Not having much experience with WIMBA or knowing what it was, again I was like oh my, what have I gotten myself into. I found that the screencasts provided a good explanation on how to set up the WIMBA and facilitate a WIMBA session. I was a little confused at first and had to do the WIMBA a few times but eventually I got it right. I don't know if I really liked using it. I think it would had been different if there were some interaction from others on the WIMBA classroom. I don't think this assignment was hard but it is challenging to teach using a powerpoint and being recorded, especially when you are just doing by yourself and lecturing or reviewing for the most part without interaction from others. I think this activity does serve a good purpose and perhaps when I have the opportunity it would be nice to participate in a WIMBA session to see what it is like. Again I thought my content area held me back from being more creative and I do struggle with the creativity aspect of my content area. I definitely want to engage my students but sometimes don't know how and what to change.

Link to WIMBA session: I experienced trouble trying to download a link to the MP4 file, if you click the link below, it will take you to my Blackboard course and click the menu tab WIMBA and you will be able to download and view the MP4 file.

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