Adobe Connect 8 Educational Affordances

[Rhyon]

I thought I would start a post listing the educational affordances of
Adobe Connect 8. Feel free to add, question, challenge or dis-agree
with any I listed.


There are several key educational affordances for using Adobe Connect
8 in an online classroom environment. Connect 8 is one of the few
online tools that allow educators to ability to broadcast synchronized/
live classes to those learning at different geographical locations. I
believe this tool can be used for different subjects, learning
environment and instructional styles. With that said, there is an
added skill required by the instructor to use this tool. The teacher
has to be able to coordinate their teaching style with the technology.
This is a skill that instructor needs to develop or practice to make
full use of the technology. Below is a list of my top 10 Adobe
Connect 8 educational affordances listing their Pro's and Con's.

Affordance 1: - Synchronized broadcast learning online.
PRO - The main affordance of Connect 8 is to host an educational
meeting online. This allows learners to participate without
geographical limitations.
CON – This requires access to a computer and a high speed Internet
connection. Learners are at the mercy of the technology. If a problem
occurs the student is dis-connected from the class. This technology
requests student to have a technology background in computers to be
able to use the tool effectively.

Affordance 2: - Recorded Lectures
PRO – Teachers can record their lectures and post them for their
students to watch/review at a later date and time. This provides
flexibility for the student to review a class they may have a question
about. If a student misses a class they can watch it with user
controls. They can fast forward, rewind or pause the class.
CON – There is no instructor interaction with a recorded lecture. This
also requires a high speed bandwidth to view/download the videos.
Recorded lectures requires student self motivation to complete the
materials.

Affordance 3: - Formative Assessment Poll
PRO- This allows instructors to activity poll their students in a live
session. Multiple questions can be setup to collect survey results
during a live session.
CON – Only works with a live session. This poll option requires space
on the screen and takes away from the full screen mode.

Affordance 4: - Collaborative Learning Environment
PRO – The instructor can setup individual breakout groups for
individuals to collaborate in teams work. Student can be assigned
different roles in the class that give them the ability to be the host
or a presenter.
CON – This requires careful management on the part of the instructor.
Technology issues of disconnection have occurred when assessing role
to different learner during a live session.

Affordance 5: - Dynamic feedback component
PRO – Student have icon feedback communication with the class and
instructor. This allows students to put up their cyber hand, alerting
the instructor of a question. There are 4 other icons for basic
communication during an online class.
CON – The instructor has to train themselves to systematically review
the attendee list for these icon requests.

Affordance 6: - Face to face in a cyber environment
PRO – Students can see the instructor facial expression during the
live class. The has added benefit when student can see facial
gestures.
CON – Live camera feed requires additional band width and can slow the
communication down for student will basic internet.

Affordance 7: - Live cohort chat
PRO - Allows the students and instructor to communicate with a chat
client for no verbal instructors and achieve purposes. The text
transcript can be saved for future reference.
CON – Small pod with limited viewable area. This feature may encourage
students to chat at the same time as the class is being delivered.

Affordance 8: - Discussion Notes Pod
PRO – The instructor can layout their course objectives for the
session
CON – This is a static pod and requires screen space to display. This
information can be provided as an attachment to save screen space.

Affordance 9: - Education File Transfer system
PRO – Instructors can supplement their class with attachments.
CON – Requires bandwidth to download.

Affordance 10: - Online Resource List Pod
PRO – List of optional hyperlinks to support learning
CON – May take student away from the connect session.

Affordance 11: - Mobile Learning
PRO - Student can access the technology from their iPad/iPhone/Smart
phone or tablet computer.
CON - All features are not available in the mobile devices