Using Using Elluminate & SkypeElluminate & Skype

with Language with Language InstructionInstruction

Luba Iskold & Nancy LeVanLuba Iskold & Nancy LeVan

October 25, 2010October 25, 2010

Elluminate and SkypeElluminate and Skypein the Language Classroomin the Language Classroom

• Instructional Materials– Audio

• Textbook CDs• Instructor & student recordings• Songs

– Video• Textbook DVDs• Student-produced videos• YouTube clips• SCOLA segments• Dish TV clips

Elluminate and SkypeElluminate and Skypein the Language Classroomin the Language Classroom

• Instructional Materials

– Blackboard materials

• Handouts & tutorial documents

• PowerPoint presentations

• Images and Internet links

• Chalkboard explanations and illustrations

ElluminateElluminateCreating and Running Creating and Running

SessionsSessions

Create a sessionCreate a session1. At elluminate.com,

click My Elluminate and login

2. To create a session, click Schedule a Meeting

3B. Fill all Basic Fields & click Show Invitees (Option B)

Invite peopleInvite people1. To invite a new contact, fill in the

blanks and Create the Invitee

2. Select contacts & add them as Chair or Non-Chair

3. When finished, go to the top-right and Create the Session

Join a sessionJoin a session

• Immediately: via the Elluminate website

or

• Later: open the email invitation

Note: An email invitation will be automatically

sent to each participant, including the

moderator

Software OverviewSoftware Overview

Chat box – type here

Polling buttons

Switch whiteboard “pages”

Whiteboard tools

Custom size/color/font options appear below when using certain tools

Turn microphone on/off and control volume levels

Menus & shortcut buttons

Enable/disable functions for individual participants

Desktop SharingDesktop SharingShare a single

application,or your entire

desktop

While sharing the desktop, the quality of video and

audio files is poor. Better quality can be achieved by

emailing files or links to students, or by uploading them

to Blackboard.

Share Websites, Documents, Share Websites, Documents, PowerPoints, and More!PowerPoints, and More!

Pedagogical UsesPedagogical Uses• Invite guest speakers from remote locations

• Host online study sessions, office hours, and discussions

• Save whiteboard notes for later review– Post a copy of your virtual whiteboard to Blackboard or

send to students via email

• In special situations, enable students to attend class from remote locations– Tutoring– Independent study– Summer study & research– Continuation of academic work while studying abroad

Pros & ConsPros & Cons

• Pros

– Geared toward teaching and learning

– Many features integrated into a single program

– Students and guest speakers do not need accounts

– The software is installed automatically upon first use

– Instructors moderate discussion

Pros & ConsPros & Cons• Cons

– The college must pay for a subscription

– Cluttered interface with too many buttons

– Time is needed to become familiar with the software

– Sessions must be scheduled in advance

– Participants must be invited ahead of time

– Invitations clutter email inboxes

– The best audio quality is achieved by turning

microphones on/off each time someone speaks,

which is a distraction in a classroom setting

SkypeSkypeTechnology UpdateTechnology Update

Skype for WindowsSkype for Windows

• Calls with video & audio

– New: Group video calls (Free trial)

• Desktop sharing

• Instant Messaging

• File sharing

• Integrated access to your

Facebook newsfeed and

contacts

Skype for Mac OSXSkype for Mac OSX

• Calls with video & audio

• Coming soon: Group

video calls

• Share your desktop

• Instant Messaging

• File sharing

Pedagogical UsesPedagogical Uses

• Group & one-on-one calls– Invite guest speakers from

remote locations– Host study sessions, office

hours, and online discussions

– Enable students to attend class from remote locations

– Up to 25 audio conference call participants

• Save a group as a contact– Quickly contact all students

in a class

Pedagogical UsesPedagogical Uses

• Instant Messaging– Interact with students– Keep a discussion log

• Send files through Skype

• Share your desktop– Show Blackboard materials– Show websites– Play videos or audio files with minor quality loss

• Access your Facebook newsfeed and contacts– Communicate with students or guest speakers that do not

have Skype accounts

Pros & ConsPros & Cons• Pros

– Free!

– Easy to use, intuitive interface

– Spontaneity: No need to send invitations or schedule

meetings in advance

– No need to turn microphones on/off when speaking

– Less disruptive to classroom instruction

– Runs in multiple languages

Pros & ConsPros & Cons• Cons

– No integrated whiteboard; however, any drawing

program can be run while sharing your desktop

– Every participant needs to create an account and

download the software