user groups : educators

[Marielle Lange]

> I get all tense and impatient during chat, waiting for people to
> type, and wishing I hadn't joined the chat. One can't really do
> anything else during a chat session.
>
> A whiteboard or video image during chat adds a lot of value to a chat
> session. Otherwise, I don't see the point.

Good to see you are optimistic and expect to have a lot of persons to  
join ;-). I kind of agree. Once there are more than 3 persons text  
chats can be cumbersome. Voice chats are faster. Still, voice chats  
with more than 5 are a bit unpractical.

The chore idea, however, is to have a regular meeting. That is an  
arranged time where we expect to meet others and discuss. The fact  
there is a meeting planned often force to think of content for that  
meeting. Which generates more discussion than if persons are free to  
post whenever they want.

What you describe, video image... a teacher friend of mine told me  
about such a software (PC only unfortunately). I forgot the  
details... I will have to get back to her.

Let's start with an easy question. Let's forget about technology for  
now.

Would teachers/educators/academics on this list be interested in  
regular meetings? Is there some need to have subgroups like primary/ 
secondary/higher education. Are there persons interested in special  
areas like special needs, ICT & learning to program, science, history/ 
geography, etc?

What about organizing at least a first meeting (chat or any other  
means) where educators can introduce themselves to one another so we  
know names and interests?

What are the views of other users on this?

Marielle

------------------------------------------------
Marielle Lange (PhD),  http://widged.com
Bite-size Applications for Education