Oct 20 2007
… and Into the Light
Lat night I was lucky enough to have dinner with Sue Waters and Annelieske Noteboom from Challenger TAFE in WA. Sue is the driving force behind the Mobile Technology in TAFE blog site and was graciuos enough to allow me to join them on their last night in Melbourne. The evening was great, with conversation ranging from trends in e-learning to Sue’s total incomprehension of hook turns in Melbourne (she just could not get her head around the concept of moving to the left lane to turn right – how can that be hard?).
Anyway, after dinner, I was invited take a look at, and particiate in a ustream broadcast. For those who are unaware of this program, it broadcasts steaming video from your webcam to your audience, who interact via a chat system.
Its very cool, but also quite surreal: you’re sitting there looking at yourself on camera, talking to your computer, reading what people are typing, all the while trying to look ohh so natural. Well, that’s the theory. If you are me, you’re sitting there looking at yourself on camera, talking to Sue’s compter, reading what people are typing, all the while with a goofy grin on your face feeling ohh so self conscious, wondering how the hell you got there? Think back to my previous entry : I am not the type of person to be in front of the camera; I am the camera man or director or the coffee boy – anything that is BEHIND the camera.
I cannot think of anytime that I have felt that uncomfortable or self conscious – I think it was worse than the first time that I stood in front of a classroom. I humbly apologise to anyone who was subjected to my stumbling efforts.
On the way home, I was ready to discount the value of this tool – embarassment will do that to you. But I have been thinking about it today (even went to the saved file, but couldn’t bring myself to watch it; the cringe factor was too high - maybe tonight, or tomorrow, or ……..). For those involved in distance education, this could be amazing (assuming of course an active broadband connection). I know there are other programs out there that allow similar interaction, but this was the first that I had seen. It is impressive technology.
Give it a look and if you’re brave enough, give it a try. And to those who were subjected to last night’s performance – sorry.
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Hi Lance
Just dropping in to say hi. I live in Perth along with Sue and a bunch of other crazies.
My online hub is http://mrmont.wikispaces.com
My twitter name is montgorp
Looking forward to chatting with you around the network.
Hi Lance, congratulations on the blog, it’s looking good.
I really enjoyed the show last night – you definitely didn’t look silly, as I commented during the session, it was good to have two presenters especially with Sue talkative and you slightly reserved. I think you’ve hit on a winning formula where an active presenter has a human presence to act as a foil.
It was my first time having a play after Alan Levine’s presentations in Sydney, and a brief session with Brian and Wendy Smith (couldn’t get my audio working). Thanks to you and Sue for the opportunity to explore this application in a fun way, although I could understand if you initially felt awkward. The Twitter shout out was a good way to get a few people together at short notice.
After my online adventures at Mlearn2007 and Alan Levine’s presentations, I’ve invited my network friends in Qld to Twitter – hopefully we can start using it at the same level as others in the south and west of Australia.
Hi Lance
I myself had never ‘played’ with Ustream before you and Sue got on stage yesterday!
I thought it was great fun!
Look forward to the next show!
[...] do a wrap on the conference so decided to broadcast from my hotel room while convincing my new mate Lance from Melbourne that he should join me in the [...]
But it was fun though? I think the thing is I have now become so used to all of this that I just get on with it. When i was first learnt to podcast we were given headsets and told to talk into the computer. I just could not do it – I felt so intimidated by the entire concept. Absolutely horrible listening to your own voice – so agree looking at video of yourself is even worse.
The good aspect of extending ourselves is to remember how confronting we feel when we do this – so that we can relate to how our learners might feel. Now I just need you to fly to Perth for the next episode? Perhaps Simon can also fly over?
Glad the other bloggers popped past to say hi.
Hi Russel.
Thanks for dropping by and for the comment. Looking forward to seeing you around.
Lance
Hi Simon
Thanks for the support.
Don’t get me wrong – the ustream broadcast was a valuable experience (and I’m glad that it wasn’t as bad as I felt it to be). I think the issue really lies in comfort. As it was a first for me, I really felt a sense of dislocation – and you are extremely generous with the “slightly reserved” description.
Cheers
Lance.
Hi Sue
Fun? Most definitely, albeit very confronting. But this is not a bad thing – as we discussed on Friday night, the company I work for has become very complacent when it comes to e-learning and we need to rediscover what is out there and how it might be used to maximise our efforts. Until you have tried something you really aren’t in a position to discount it. Thanks for the opportunity (not something I would have tried on my own).
Hmmm a trip to Perth? Have been trying to convince the boss that this is a must for a while – now have added ammunition. Can’t be a bad thing!