Free Tools for Online Professional Development

[KarenJanowski]

Has anyone used tools like DimDim, Yugma, or Yuuguu with Skype to offer just in time learning for other educators? Have you considered using uStream to live stream a workshop you are presenting? This can be archived and viewed again later to refresh memory and learning

These tools are worth exploring. If anyone is interested, we can set up a time to explore these and anyone is welcome to join in.

We are always learning!

[Jennifer Corso]

No, I've not, but that is a great idea. I am going to have to check them out. I am always seeking to provide professional development in various districts, but time is always hard to come by w/ scheduling, etc.

I'll let you know if I do this!

[Brian Wojcik]

I am an avid fan of Yugma and Skype....I have used them to support teachers and my students at the university. I find that they do take some time for people to figure out as not many people are all too familiar with these tools BUT the payoff, once the system is in place, is HUGE! Teachers and students alike seem to really benefit from the immediacy of the experience. I am now experimenting with Yuuguu and really want to try my first UStream.

Has anyone used Jing?

Brian

[Scott Marfilius]

Karen,
I would be interested in learning more about these tools. Many of the districts and agencies I work with are looking for additional ways to provide professional development and I would like to be aware of the many opportunities available.
Thanks
Scott

[KarenJanowski]

Scott,
Would you like to set up a time to explore these free tools? They allow screen sharing, screen capturing and just-in-time learning.
Feel free to skype me if you would like to set something up. my skype name is karenjanowski (not too original).

[Joan Green]

I just started to provide online coaching to families. It is such fun! I typically start the first session with the phone and then invite them to join me in a GatherPlace session. It's great for application sharing. After reviewing reports and talking to the family, I select some software and demo it for them. I then turn over control to the family and they can give it a try. The sessions are recorded so that they can view them later. I do pay for it on a monthly basis, but I liked some of the free features that the free ones didn't provide. I was afraid that using the online application sharing with the Skype wouldn't work as well. The VOIP is great so that we have no long distance phone bills.

I would love to hear from anyone else who has tried this or other systems that work better for application sharing and the ability to record the sessions so families can view them later.

Joan L. Green, M.A. CCC-SLP
Founder of Innovative Speech Therapy
Author of "Technology for Communication and Cognitive Treatment: The Clinician's Guide"
1-800-IST-2550/ 301-602-2899
www.ittsguides.com
www.innovativespeech.com
[e-mail]

[Brian S. Friedlander Long Valley NJ]

Hi Karen:

It has been great using these applications with you for my own professional development. I have been using DidDim with some non profit organizations to deliver their content. Yuuguu, Skype and DimDim can really change the way we deliver and support others in the field of assistive technology. You may also want to check out OoVoo which lets you have up to 6 people in a video conference that you can record. All you need is a webcam- it is pretty cool.


Regards
Brian
http://assistivetek.blogspot.com

[Joan Green]

I am currently subscribing to GatherPlace for a new online coaching program I have started to offer families who are helping someone who has a communication or cognitive deficit. I need the application sharing feature, VOIP and the ability to record sessions. It's such a perfect way to help others find out which software is best for their situation and give it a try. I've been having so much fun with it. Most of my clients have been in Canada or the other end of the country so there was no way they could come for 1:1 therapy.

Eventually I want to figure out how to save the recorded sessions as well as produce new ones and and organize them so that others can view them and learn what software might help them if they are in a similar situation- but this is another project and I might eventually want to provide training videos grouped by types of deficits and demo software. I'd like to store the recorded sessions on my server if possible which I can't do with GatherPlace.

I know that Adobe Connect also offers this, but is much more expensive. Do any of you have experience in this area? Before I get too into this I want to be sure that I have made a wise decision. I don't want the clients to have to download anything on their computers. I want to have Mac as well as PC users be able to participate and I want to be able to turn over control to the client. I also don't want to have to use the phone during the entire session- although I could. A few people have mentioned that I should do Skype at the same time since the two together may use up too much bandwidth. Any suggestions or comments would be much appreciated.

I looked into many of the free options but some don't offer VOIP, require the other user to download software, can't to record sessions or can't hand over control of using the application to the participant. Am I missing anything?

[Brian S. Friedlander Long Valley NJ]

Joan:

You may want to try DimDim and then use Camtasia Studio 5 to record the session. Just an idea.

Brian

[Joan Green]

Thanks for the info! I will give them a try.

[Samuel Charles Sennott]

I liked using Yuuguu as it was free and easy to set up. Yet, once I tried GotoMeeting this week, it will be hard to shift back to the less than real time screen sharing. I love Skype and iChat. So nice to mix texting/ iming with the opportunity for video chat. Plus you can trade files.

[Joan Green]

Thanks for your comments:) I appreciate it.

[Kevin Micalizzi]

Karen-

We offer free web conferencing for up to 20 attendees. This includes sharing slides, whiteboard, chat, desktop, web pages, host video, and audio. With Dimdim Free you can schedule or start meetings instantly and have the ability to record them.

If you haven't given us a try, it's quick and easy to sign up at www.dimdim.com

Thanks!

-k
Kevin Micalizzi, Community Manager
Dimdim Web Conferencing / http://www.dimdim.com
e: [e-mail] / twitter: @meetdimdim
Facebook: http://dimdim.com/facebook