CODEC - Consortium for Distance Education from CALI

I thought I would add a post on my first Classcaster Experience.

First, thanks for the recorder.  I found it very easy to use.  The only thing I wish is that it had a plug in alternative or rechargable battery (like my cell phone or computer), but that probably would make it too expensive.  I know I am going to appreciate John's reminders about batteries. 

I have committed to doing weekly summaries in my first year contracts class.  I chose that class because we just did a curriculum revision and reduced contracts from 2 semesters 6 credits to 1 semester 4 credits.  On top of that, it was scheduled twice a week in 2 hour sessions.  I thought summaries would give me an alternative opportunity to summarize and review material -- something I usually do during class hours (at the beginning and end of each session), but did not think I would have time for this semester.

I found it very difficult to do my first summary.  I could not seem to just speak my summary extemporaneously into  the machine, and I really wanted to give informal reviews/summaries.  I realized I needed some students in the room to respond -- either head nods or questions.  So, I decided to offer review/summary sessions.  I told my students (a class of 67) that the session were voluntary, and that people who did not attend could listen to it on the blog. 

I held the first session and created two summaries (about 20 minutes each) which are now posted.  The first is an oveview of the course -- a general course outline with some general course expectations.  I want students to have this general outline available so that they when they get bogged down in the trees they can back up and remember the forest.  The second is a review of some of the material from my first 4 classes (some highlights from offer, acceptance and options).

Over 20 students came to the first session.  One student asked if she should take notes.  I suggested she could just listen as it would be available to take notes from later.  For a great deal of it the students did that, though a couple did start taking notes at various parts.  I found it interesting that most of the students held their questions until after I turned of the recorder.   At the end, they said they found it helpful.  Being able to record my review/summary instead of just speaking it into the machine worked much better for me.  The real test, of course, will be how many students come to the next session.

One of the things I realized is that I felt self counscious taping te summary/review and was a bit more formal than I usually am.  I am a bit torn.  Because I am taping these summaries/reviews, I feel they should be more organized and formal; however I don't want to create black letter law recordings.  

I am going to continue to experiment.  I am going to work to make the sessions more interactive.  I am also going to try  giving out a sample problem or two and using  a summary/review to go over the answer -- both the substantive answer and exam tips. 

I'm interested in hearing about how other people are handling their summary/reviews.

Deb

I have recorded 6 classes so far and it has been an easy, good experience.  To my surprise, the Olympus recorder, with the lapel mic attached, picks up most of the students' reponses and questions, even from far back in the large classroom.  Elmer thinks it is because I changed the settings on the recorder to highest quality. 

This weekend, I used the recorder during a practice round for a moot court team I am coaching.  The students were quite excited about the prospect of having their practice sessions available as podcasts. 

The entire process of recording and uploading takes so little time and effort--it is surprising.  There are a few technical steps necessary, but through regular repetition, I am getting better at it. 

I thank John and Elmer for making this available to us.  My students are very happy about it.

Things are going well.  The recorder is easy to use I have found that using the recorder without the mic to be the best quality recording.  It has taken me 6 classes to really be good at the recording part.  I think that it will take me another 6 before I remember to mention the slide number that I am discussing.

This is fun.  Thanks for the support.

FIve weeks into my semester I thought I would post an update

Preparing an outline of my summary in advance to taping has definitely made for a smoother presentation. I think my  summaries are getting better, though depending on the subject matter, some go as long as 25 minutes. 

I am still taping in front of a live audience.  I have not yet resorted to cue cards for laughter or applause, but I might... ;)   In all honesty, I have to do it live becuase I can't seem to master just speaking into the recorder.  When I try I think it sounds lifeless.  I am just more animated in front of a live audience.  Also, I like the realtime feedback -- I can wathc the faces and that helps me figure out what needs reinforcement.  I also take questions at the end of each summary. 

Another advantages of doing a live summary is that, I can encourage those students that attend the sessions to listen and think instead of trying to write it all down.  I am getting an attendance of about 1/4 to 1/3 or my students at each summary session.

I have asked my students for feedback -- so far, it has been limited, but positive. 

I will note that I don't think the majority of students are using the podcasts.  My blog has only had about 175 hits to date.  Maybe as the midterm approaches in a week an half, usage will increase -- we will see.  

In addition to posting Contracts summaries, I have been taping my lectures to make them available (on a password basis) to students who missed class for a valid reason.  I'm contemplating whether to make taped lectures available to everyone.  I have mixed feelings... I would be interested in feedback from those posting lectures -- have you found any difference in your classes?  Is anyone doing both -- posting lectures and summaries for the same class?

Finally, I have also been taping my night class and making it available to all the students.  I decided to do this because our class is scheduled from 8-10pm this semester and I watch their concentration flounder,  particularly in the second hour.  I'm hoping they will use the tape to fill in what they missed. 

I look forward to reading insights from others ...

I have been posting class lectures for a weekly first-year legal-research class since mid-January.  I am also planning to post weekly summaries, but I am a bit behind on those.

A student was just talking to me about his iPod, and he started telling me about podcasting and how someday students would be able to download their professors' lectures.  (Although I have not made subscription to the blog or podcast mandatory, I have told them about it more than once both in class and via email.)

I reminded the student that he could already do that for our legal research class.  The bad news was that he was so surprised, but the good news was that he was so excited he could go to the class blog and download all the lectures! 

While I had his attention, I told him that you were working on upgrading the feeds so they could be registered with the iTunes store and asked if he thought that would be helpful.  His answer was enthusiastically in the affirmative.  (Actually, he said, "Hello!  Yes!)

So, thanks!  And keep up the good work