Virtual Classrooms - DimDim

Virtual Classrooms seem like such a great idea. There are several applications available on the internet that allow for video and audio streaming. With the right setup these services can really be taken advantage of.

Virtual Classrooms are a private online space where teachers can share learning activities with students remotely to support learning. It can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It allows for face-to-face discussion. Like a real classroom virtual classrooms are busy.

Most virtual classrooms have facility to incorporate files such as ppt, pdf and doc files. These files can be shared with students at the click of a button. Likewise students also have the ability to share files with teachers and piers.

Dimdim a virtual classroom tool

The services that are available to teachers although seem a little lacking in quality are elluminate and dimdim. There may be others around but these are services which are easy to register with and learn.

All you really need for a virtual classroom is a microphone and webcam. This is often built into a laptop. Otherwise these devices should be available from a technology store for about $50.

This week I shall be doing a podcast on the use of dimdim and elluminate. Show you a little hands on about how I believe that the application can be used in a classroom.

I personally would recommend a private uStream channel for virtual classrooms. This is because it allows for far better quality. The only loss here is sharing files.

If your not really into being on camera than why not just post your presentation and record audio to go along with it using an application like VoiceThread.com.

Here is a video of a school in England that uses Virtual Classrooms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hMGbTPnWIc