FACILITATING LEARNING WITH WEB CONFERENCING - Recommendations based on Learners’ Experiences

Sarah Cornelius, Carole Gordon

2012

Abstract

This paper reports some of the findings from a study undertaken to obtain an insight into the experiences of learners engaging with web conferencing. A small group of work-based adult learners with substantial experience of learning in a virtual classroom provided accounts of and reflections on their experiences using a blog and group interview. Qualitative analysis of data led to findings which support some existing best practice guidelines for facilitators and also provide additional insight into issues that impact on learners’ experiences. This paper presents our emerging recommendations for facilitators and explores some of the issues raised by learners including the effective use of breakout rooms, the management of minimalist learners and the need to respect learners’ privacy. A facilitation approach which allows learners to develop autonomy and exert control in the virtual classroom and which acknowledges diversity of learning preferences is suggested. Whilst the recommendations made may not be appropriate in all learning contexts, they are presented as a starting point to help other facilitators review and develop their own practice.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Cornelius S. and Gordon C. (2012). FACILITATING LEARNING WITH WEB CONFERENCING - Recommendations based on Learners’ Experiences . In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU, ISBN 978-989-8565-07-5, pages 373-378. DOI: 10.5220/0003898903730378

in Bibtex Style

@conference{csedu12,
author={Sarah Cornelius and Carole Gordon},
title={FACILITATING LEARNING WITH WEB CONFERENCING - Recommendations based on Learners’ Experiences},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU,},
year={2012},
pages={373-378},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0003898903730378},
isbn={978-989-8565-07-5},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF
JO - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Computer Supported Education - Volume 2: CSEDU,
TI - FACILITATING LEARNING WITH WEB CONFERENCING - Recommendations based on Learners’ Experiences
SN - 978-989-8565-07-5
AU - Cornelius S.
AU - Gordon C.
PY - 2012
SP - 373
EP - 378
DO - 10.5220/0003898903730378