Reflection

Videocast – Adobe® Connect™ 

Adobe Connect has been the highlight of my learning through integrated technologies in education to date.  A small group from the Tairawhiti Campus had PowerPoint presentations to deliver for an adult educaton paper. Our lecturer was unable to attend this face to face class, so VirtualMV (who happened to be in the neighbourhood) kindly help out with Adobe Connect.   

The web cam was set, presentations were recorded and uploaded to the Moodle LMS (EITOnline). This enabled both the absent lecturer and students to view the presentations on-demand, schedules remained unaffected and deadlines met. An example of Ubiquitous Learning Technologies in action.

What I enjoyed so much about this learning experience was more than the paper I was studying.  Our education and technology is constantly evolving and growing for the benefit of student, lecturer and the organisation. 

Further to this Adobe Connect is also used in my DLT class and although I haven't used or participated in all features available, there is a potential to enhance online communications and learning experiences through videocasts and virtual classroom tools.


Barriers

Hardware compatibility (I'm not so sure) - I have logged in to Adobe Connect twice now through my home PC for a Digital Learning Technologies class and use my microphone for web conferencing on Gmail, Tango and Skype regularly. On two of the three Adobe Connect sessions I attended, the microphone tool was not available.  This limits my ability to communicate however, there is an option to IM privately to the lecturer or within the main class chat.

Connectivity - Adobe Connect Server down (maybe not this week).  This is only a barrier in real time.