Virtual Virtual Professional Professional Conferences Conferences

within Courses: within Courses: Training for Training for

ProfessionalismProfessionalism

23rd Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning

Jane Zahner, Ph.D. Valdosta State University

Graduate level class with 12 students Face-to-face class with few online components Objective: to present at a professional conference

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Three hour evening Some ‘tech-savvy’, some ‘tech-terrified’ Half at home; half in lab with professor Colleagues observed, in person and virtually

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WebCT Vista Organizer Pages Learning Modules Simple Webpages Discussion Groups Chats

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DYI Nametags Program in Publisher, then pdf Uploaded Poster Sessions Ahead Revealed Schedule and Roundtable Topic

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Welcome messages prepared ahead ‘Live’ interaction made sure all were in attendance Visitor from Azerbaijan confused! Lurker from Distance Learning Staff curious!

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Two hour wait for a virtual table; no waiting for classroom snacks

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In-lab students didn’t know Dr. S was in the room until they saw the picture posted in the virtual conference!

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Lots of little ‘hallway action’ in the Internet Hotspot!

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The Quicktime Movie of the Keynote worked for most; the back-up PowerPoint highlights sufficed for others

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Poster sessions were PowerPoints with Notes describing the student experience with the main project of the course, a Needs Assessment Proposal.

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Each student scheduled for 15 minutes in specified chat room

Knew they would discuss one of three topics Assigned as audience members to assure equal

participation

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Logs of chats and quality of poster sessions evaluated by professor later and feedback given for leader and audience

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One student (nearly) panicked as janitor locked her inside the school

As Conference progressed, anonymous nominations for awards accrued in Awards and Debriefing Discussion Area

At end of Conference, group indicated a preference for synchronous chat to carry out de-briefing

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Inadequate time for exploration of vendor area

Might be a good ‘2nd day’ activity post presentation-anxiety

Can’t wait ‘til next time now

that ‘Live Classroom’ is up

and running!

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