Introduction
Peer-to-Peer collaboration tools are becoming more popular among educational institutions, corporations and entrepreneurs. In my research I found many resources that could be implemented in a peer-to-peer collaboration environment. “There are an assortment of tools and technologies emerging for learner collaboration” (Bonk, 2002).
After a thorough search, I have decided to focus my research using Adobe Connect 9 from Adobe.
This software has been designed to provide conferences, meetings and webinars through the World Wide Web. In addition, this software can also be implemented in E-learning environments. In fact, I believe that more virtual classrooms will adopt this software in the near future. This software has the potential to enhance the E-learning experience by providing “live” interaction among the presenters and participants. Corporations are currently providing E-learning content to their employees through Adobe Connect, Rob Hennigar Director of Education at Constellations Wines N.A. states, “Since the wine industry is continually evolving, the ability to easily update and maintain training materials is essential. An online solution could also help us create more engaging learning experiences for participants, in a way that static, written materials cannot do.” (Adobe Customer References: Measured Benefits Overview p.30, January 2011)
Benefits & Uses
· With Adobe Connect you can create and deliver engaging online content to audiences worldwide.
· Adobe Connect offers an alternative solution to the E-learning communities by providing access to the student and instructor from anywhere in the world without downloading any type of software to your computer.
· Students and facilitators can have access throughout any virtual devices (mobile learning). In addition to that, virtual sessions can be delivered through any mobile device.
· Works with Microsoft Power Point, Adobe Captivate and Adobe Presenter.
· Saves and stores your content for later use without having to recreate it.
· Allows the instructor or facilitator to track the student performance at any time.
· Provides higher level of security for sensitive and classified content and participation.
· Adobe Connect works with existent audio platforms and teleconferencing systems. In addition, it can also be integrated with a current LMS such as Blackboard, Moodle and others.
· Enhances the virtual classroom with content that is compatible with Adobe Flash Player.
Peer-to-Peer collaboration tools are becoming more popular among educational institutions, corporations and entrepreneurs. In my research I found many resources that could be implemented in a peer-to-peer collaboration environment. “There are an assortment of tools and technologies emerging for learner collaboration” (Bonk, 2002).
After a thorough search, I have decided to focus my research using Adobe Connect 9 from Adobe.
This software has been designed to provide conferences, meetings and webinars through the World Wide Web. In addition, this software can also be implemented in E-learning environments. In fact, I believe that more virtual classrooms will adopt this software in the near future. This software has the potential to enhance the E-learning experience by providing “live” interaction among the presenters and participants. Corporations are currently providing E-learning content to their employees through Adobe Connect, Rob Hennigar Director of Education at Constellations Wines N.A. states, “Since the wine industry is continually evolving, the ability to easily update and maintain training materials is essential. An online solution could also help us create more engaging learning experiences for participants, in a way that static, written materials cannot do.” (Adobe Customer References: Measured Benefits Overview p.30, January 2011)
Benefits & Uses
· With Adobe Connect you can create and deliver engaging online content to audiences worldwide.
· Adobe Connect offers an alternative solution to the E-learning communities by providing access to the student and instructor from anywhere in the world without downloading any type of software to your computer.
· Students and facilitators can have access throughout any virtual devices (mobile learning). In addition to that, virtual sessions can be delivered through any mobile device.
· Works with Microsoft Power Point, Adobe Captivate and Adobe Presenter.
· Saves and stores your content for later use without having to recreate it.
· Allows the instructor or facilitator to track the student performance at any time.
· Provides higher level of security for sensitive and classified content and participation.
· Adobe Connect works with existent audio platforms and teleconferencing systems. In addition, it can also be integrated with a current LMS such as Blackboard, Moodle and others.
· Enhances the virtual classroom with content that is compatible with Adobe Flash Player.
Learning Objective and Online Classroom Application
Adobe Connect is a powerful tool with tremendous potential to improve the quality of E-learning content and experience. Whether the content is developed for educational, corporate or government purposes, this software will enhance the creative process and the delivery of the content to their audiences. Numerous types of courses can be developed using this tool. I would like to take this opportunity to demonstrate how Adobe Connect could be used to teach a foreign language to individuals across the globe with virtual collaboration. For the purpose of this assignment, the students have already been informed that they will have to create at least 15 questions (previously written in the target language) for this activity. In other words, they have to complete their homework in order to be able to collaborate and enhance their experience through this activity.
Learning Objective #1:
After working with their assigned homework, students will interview another classmate in a remote location in the target language (Spanish) through a web-conference using Adobe Connect. Students will introduce themselves and ask questions from their homework assignment. Each student will ask a minimum of 10 questions in 10 minutes.
Learning Objective #2:
Students will write a compare and contrast essay using Adobe Connect in which they will use the target language with an accuracy of 90%. The student will include the likes and dislikes of his or her classmate, the city where he or she lives and a brief description of their family’s members along with the chores that they have to do at home on the weekends and compare his or her classmate experiences with themselves.
While the students are working with this assignment the instructor will be able to monitor the students (remotely) as they interview their classmates. Once the interview has been completed, the instructor will transition to the second part of the activity, the compare and contrast essay. Upon the completion of the assignment, the facilitator will be able to collect the student’s work electronically.
Weaknesses & Challenges
Every new technology will face some weaknesses and challenges. Some of the problems that users have encountered using this software are mostly audio and connection related. However, Adobe Connect provides a check system tool that helps the user to identify the problem and fix it. In addition to the technical problems, in my opinion, one of the major challenges will be to deliver quality training at a lower cost to interested instructors and facilitators in using this software. Another weakness of this tool is its cost. Although, this software will not be as expensive as a LMS or CMS, the cost of the software will vary based on the amount of users, in order to get an exact quote you will have to contact Adobe and ask for a one. They will customize a plan that will fit your needs or your organization’s needs.
Conclusion
Peer-to Peer Collaboration tools will not only enhance the virtual classroom environment experience, but they will also continue to provide new ways to create and deliver E-learning content to different audiences. Adobe Connect will help to close the gap between students and facilitators by providing accessibility to the content through the internet on the “go” by using mobile devices. In addition to that, this software can also be used to create webinars and conferences. The capabilities of this software are endless and it is a matter of time to see how this software is implemented throughout the different levels of education. Corporations are already a step ahead with the implementation of more productive and interactive web applications for E-learning development and delivery. Isn't it time to level the playing field between the corporate and the education world...? Just a thought!
References
The Perfect E-Storm emerging technology, enormous learner demand, enhance pedagogy, and erased budgets. Part 1: Storms #1 and #2. Dr. Curtis J. Bonk. June 2004.
Adobe Connect for eLearning & Adobe Connect for eLearning Solution Brief.
Adobe Customer References: Measured Benefits Overview p.30, January 2011. Video by Adobe Systems Incorporated.
A powerful virtual classroom: Adobe Connect 8 by Janet Clarey, spinning the social web. November 11, 2010
By: José A Salas, Assessment in E-learning, UW-Stout.
Email: [email protected]