K-12 Online Conference Disappointments
Filed Under (Education) by Administrator on 26-10-2006
This week I had been quite excited to not only be a contributor but a participant in the K-12 Online Conference, in spite of a very hectic week, but I suffered disappointment for the second time when my headset somehow proved not to be compatible with the Elluminate environment software. Having experienced frustration the first time ten days ago, I attempted to go in extra early tonight to do the necessary sound checks. However, for some reason the java applet was not going to work in Firefox, the docking station was having difficulties recognizing the headset, and to make a long story short, I just could not get in to the environment until the event had already started. And, sure enough, my headset was not going to cooperate. This is a month-old usb headset that has been otherwise serving me well.
I spent half an hour trouble shooting, going in and out of the environment, testing, and so on. I finally could hear everything fine, but could not use the microphone. I tested the mic on audacity and it worked fine. Nothing I tried worked in the elluminate environment.
While all this was frustrating enough, what I found most disconcerting and disappointing was that my pleas for tech support were largely ignored. It seems as though no one was designated as a tech support person to trouble-shoot and help those who were having difficulties. The most advice I was given was direction to a tech support page for elluminate, which was not helpful at all.
For a conference that is striving to be community-driven, it is disappointing that the moderators would leave a participant struggling in the background.
The experience left me appreciating the perspective of a newbie who cannot get technology to work for them for some trivial reason. Technology then becomes off-turning and just not worth the effort. This conference is supposed to be inclusive, interactive, social computing at its best. When one voice is silenced because of a failure of technology, I guess I had expected collective supportive, not alienation and a sense of helplessness.
Sharon, I am SO sorry that you had such a hard time and felt like you had no one to turn to. The four of us spent almost 2 hours in Elluminate on Tuesday just to get ready for today. One of us was responsible to watch the chat window, another the whiteboards, etc. for anyone who had a question that needed voice or to help anyone who needed it. I’m still learning the tool and found myself at many points scrambling to stay on top of the conversation, the questions, the answers and still take care of my appointed tasks. at one point it took me 5 min. to refreash the whiteboard … I’m still new at this.
We’re having another Elluminate session on Saturday. Email me. We’ll go into the room together and work out all the technical difficulties or figure out some kind of workaround before then.
This really is “supposed to be inclusive, interactive, social computing at its best.” I’m really sorry that it wasn’t for you. Give me a chance to make it better.
Sharon –
I am sorry that you are soooo frustrated with the Elluminate software — emmm, venue??
I am wondering if perhaps it is something simplistic that is just being overlooked.
Drop me an email when you have a chance — I think I know what might be wrong.
And take DK up on his request — ooooohhh and can I come in too??? I would love to see how this gets fixed.
Jen
Yes, you can come to. Email me. But I just want you to know that Sharon is my priority right now … unless you had the same difficulties. I’m hoping to find a time today where our schedules mesh so we can take care of this immediately.
Sharon,
First of all let me apologize for the frustration you felt. I facilitate and troubleshoot Elluminate sessions all the time and realize it can be maddening when you feel your voice is muted.
Typically, when I use Elluminate with teachers around the country I encourage them to go in to the virtual room in advanced and check things out. If I had realized that in David’s fireside chat you had a mic issue, I would have recommended that you and I meet online in advance to work out the problem. I met with keynotes, presenters and participants (who emailed me and requested) and organizers in the days that preceeded the chat to go in and troubleshoot in advance and would have been more than willing to have done the same for you.
Please… let’s set up a time to do that now. I am snbeach on Skype. My email is snbeach@cox.net
In all fairness though…you pleas for tech support were not largely ignored. I typed, while facilitating the whole group (multitasking) and whispering back and forth with moderators and keynotes, several suggestions of things to try as well as giving you the Elluminate help desk. They are fantastic and always on hand to help with these kinds of things.
None the less– I am sorry this happened. And if you will come on Sat. I will meet with you in advance and make sure your voice can be heard loud and clear.
Respectfully,
Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach
K12 Conference Organizer
Sharon,
I am so glad you can identify with people like me (the newbie). I am sorry you had a hard time with your presentation, I will be sure to look it up!
Thanks,
jenn
Sharon, you did such a GREAT job on your presentation. It was incredible! I’m so sorry about last night! I wish you’d come in Monday on my skypecast to discuss yours and my tandem learning process as we discuss tandem learning potential with wikis.
If not, I love you, you are great and I’m so sorry! You have a great voice and have done a wonderful job at the conference.
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