Group Leadership Project

     For our Group Leadership Project, we decided to create a presentation regarding wikis.  It is a quick overview of what wikis are, benefits of using one, and how to setup an account for an educator to use in a classroom.  

     To deliver the content of our project, we chose several methods.  A PowerPoint presentation was first used.  Within the PowerPoint, a Jing based on how to setup the educator wiki was embedded.  For our narration, an audio program, Audacity, was used to record our script.  Finally, our presentation was uploaded to YouTube in order to share it effectively.  We chose these methods of delivery because the PowerPoint enabled us to present the material and easily embed the wiki Jing.  There are many options we could have used to record the narration, so this was a personal choice made by Julie based on its availability and ease of use.  

     Working within a group for a presentation when we are all located at different places with no chance for us to meet face-to-face is always a daunting challenge.  However, I am constantly amazed how we are able to synchronize our online time in order to collaborate and lay the foundation for a project.  During the development process of the final project, I learned how we could use Google Docs to share files and receive immediate feedback.  This was especially helpful as we had three different areas of technology converging in order to create one flowing, cohesive, final project.  

     If I had to develop a similar project again, instead of waiting for one person to finish and send out their progress, I would want to coordinate a schedule with the group members so that we could receive vital progress reports and updates on given days.  This would ensure that feedback could be provided and changes implemented.  Our group functioned very well, but not having a common time to collaborate after our initial web conference, it sometimes became a matter of "hit or miss."  A definitive schedule that could be shared through Google Docs or even an email program would be beneficial so everyone was constantly aware of what progress was being made and who may need extra support.  This would ultimately relieve unwanted stress and headaches as deadlines would enable all participants to know when to expect a product and provide feedback.  

Part A - Brainstorm Session

            After some last minute glitches, our group managed to get into the Vyew room for our web-conference and brainstorm session.  We used the chat feature because the microphones were not working and the feedback was too much.  Regardless, we managed to accomplish all of our preliminary goals.

            For our Group Leadership Project, we have chosen to create a PowerPoint presentation that will teach educators within our districts about wikis.  We chose this topic because we each have a basic, limited knowledge of wikis and want to learn more.  We feel that by immersing ourselves into this material, we will be able to craft a presentation that will benefit not only our learning experience, but for those with whom we share our knowledge, they too will benefit.  Also, by learning about, creating, and understanding the nature of wikis, we will be able to guide students in their learning, thus enabling them to become contributors to the global content of the Internet. 

            To facilitate the learning about wikis, we debated the pros and cons of several tools.  We like Jing, but since the typical account only allows for up to a five-minute recording, it would not serve our needs because we need ten minutes.  Therefore, we have decided to use PowerPoint. 

            Tai Kimmerly and I will work on the script.  We are collaborating through a document setup in Google Docs, therefore, we anticipate finishing by the 27^th of July in order to edit and receive input from our group before we submit our final product.  This will enable each member of the group to voice their concerns or provide input is a technical detail was missed or misconstrued.  Nichole Humitz will create the wiki using Wikispaces.com.  Not only will she create one, but we, as a group, have decided to each explore the technology in order to become familiar with it and fully understand its capabilities and benefits so we will feel comfortable sharing our knowledge with our colleagues.  Karen Delaney will construct the PowerPoint based on our script before exporting the file to Julie Gill who will narrate our project.  Once it is complete, the file can be exported as a movie file, which can then be distributed and posted among the group.  Additionally, we will all work on the storyboard aspect of this project to ensure that the important criteria for understanding a wiki are present.

            For our Brainstorm Session, we used Vyew.com.  While it seems to have many promises, it was difficult to get the meeting started.  First our room was not open, and then it would not let all of the users enter.  I finally managed to send a link to our group members and we were all successful.  We tried the voice chat, but a microphone was not working and then the feedback we were getting was unbearable.  We finally opted out of sound and typed our questions and answers in the chat window.  This was a suitable solution because we were able to keep a document of what was said.  You can read our chat notes on our Google Doc at this link. 

            Some advantages for using this tool to discuss our project were immediate feedback, voice and text chat options (unfortunately, voice would not cooperate), the ability to download a transcript of what was said, and the fact that it is a web-based application, meaning: we did not have to download any software in order to use this service.  These all helped us to collaborate, especially the transcript because we can easily refer back to that document for guidance as we work through this project.

            Some disadvantages to this tool were difficulties in entering the meeting room, voice chat was less than ideal, and I did not quite get a full transcript of what we discussed.  However, I did get the most important parts, which took place near the last part of our session.  Due to these factors, especially when dealing with deadlines, I doubt I would use Vyew.com again.

            However, due to Tai missing our meeting, I met with her this week on Skype.  I am a new Skype user, but it was very easy to use.  Our video connection was instant.  We could see each other and share our work with ease.  We had not been on each other’s contact lists, but immediately found each other.  This made our meeting go fast and easy.

            I did not have any disadvantages with Skype.  Like I said, it was an easy application to use.  The only thing about it that I do not like, but will go over, is the fact that it is an application that must be downloaded in order to be used.  But that is a minor issue when compared to how difficult it was to use Vyew.

            Here is a link to our meeting, which is posted on YouTube.