Skype Distance Learning at DJE (Part 2)
Written by Pamela Hartog Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Following on from last months taster article on the distance learning experiments at Leo Baeck College, Pamela is back with some more in depth observations of the facilities they’ve trailed so far...
DJE uses several methods of e-learning, Skype and Video conferencing. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages for both include being able to teach and learn without moving out of the building, saving travel and time. The disadvantages for both are the reliability and clarity of the technology.
For Skype, the ability to communicate with a group is great when the technology works. We can talk to each other and share documents sent by email and also type messages to each other. The etiquette demands that only one person at a time is speaking and this enables the discussion to be clear. Skype is also useful for one to one tuition, such as working with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah student, as the webcam can then be used. Problems arise when the signal is not clear and the call can drop at any time.
Our video conferencing equipment is lent to us by a company called Global Leap which arranges conferences with schools on many different topics, enabling the children to learn from people and about places they might otherwise not have the chance to meet. We take part in conferences with schools at pre-booked times for half an hour to talk on a topic connected with Judaism. It means I can show artefacts, such as a scroll, that the children may not have seen and which I would not be able to take to a school. I am also able to link to a PowerPoint presentation and show pictures to illustrate my talk. The disadvantage is that the children are not able to touch or, in some cases, taste things and I do not have the same eye contact that I would have if I was in front of a class. I also have to lay down strict rules about asking and answering questions. As I cannot point to a child to answer a question, I have to ask the teacher to choose a child. I also sometimes have problems hearing the children if their microphone is not powerful enough.
All in all, despite the disadvantages, the systems are both worth using and take communication and teaching to another level.
Pamela Hartog is the Resources and Conferences Consultant for the Department of Jewish Education at Leo Baeck College. Pamela's job involves supervising the Resource Centre and running conferences as well as working with non-Jewish schools and organisations who want to know about Judaism. Pamela also is a tutor on the Leo Baeck College's Foundation Course for Religion School Teachers as well as administering the course itself.
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