Constructing a Streaming Video-Based Learning Forum for Collaborative Learning
An Article Review

There should be some way to allow distance learners to participate in video based collaborative learning strategies. That is the premise of the article ‘Constructing a Streaming Video-Based Learning Forum for Collaborative Learning’ by Chang, Chih-kai. Even though the article was written in 2004, the arguments are still valid, when discussing the use of videos in education today. Often videos are used to supplement activities that could not be duplicated in the classroom setting, rather than being interactive.

In addressing the issue of how to include distance learners in the collaborative learning strategies, the author introduced the concept of a screen camcorder. This allows learners to record their current activity on their computer as a video. Video is recorded in standard format that could me easily changed to streaming video. The experiment, conducted on 37 students, studying programming design in the Information Management Department during one semester. The conclusion was that most of the students thought the camcorder was useful, and easy to use. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using such devices in the classroom

Better Idea

I have some revisions for my project I think I will gear it more toward a first year class, instead of on an individual basis. I would like to see it in an Biology/Chem class of student who think they want to go into the field of medicine in some aspect. The students would be divided into groups for different shadowing experiences. During the shadowing experience they could text or twitter some of their more rewarding experiences. They would get together and discuss it later, then one "spokesperson" from each group could go explain what their shadow was like. This is one way to use handhelds and the jigsaw strategy. At the end of the project they would complete a video to be put on voice thread that would allow other to comment on different aspects of the experience. I am still working on the details. Let me know what you think.

Using Handhelds in a Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Environment

The premise for this article is that technology is changing rapidly, and educators need to assess their teaching strategies to adapt to these new technologies. Huge strides have been made in the hand held devices that most of us know as palm pilots or PDA’s. These small devices, that were originally supposed to be a personal organizer, now have the capability of laptop, or even tower computers. These devices provide an amazing opportunity to enhance cooperative learning both inside and outside the classroom. The article ‘Using Handhelds in a Jigsaw Cooperative Learning Environment’ followed an experiment that was conducted to study the effects of adult learners using hand held technology. The authors, C.-Y. Lai and C.-C. Wu conducted the study using two classes of nursing students in their fourth year, of a five year program. They followed these students in their learning process. They also address their attitudes and their interaction with other students and their professors.

Through this study they concluded the use of handheld devices has many benefits, but there are also many obstacles to overcome. They also concluded that at the present time hand held technology is not fully mature enough for educational uses. They decided that, at the time the article was written, this implementation would require a lot more work for the instructor and they would need a lot of support from a technology specialist. They also mentioned that students would have to be trained in this technology as well as the teacher. But they also said that with the advancement of technology these problems will be greatly reduced and then the benefits will be more obvious (Lai, C., & Wu, C., 2006).