What?
At first glance, this online student-teacher dialogue may not be considered very playful. However, it turned out to be just that while simultaneously being a strong teaching and learning moment for everyone involved – including the teachers. The dialogue had “few clear and fixed points of arrival or goals “(Shields & Edwards 2005, Playful Digimedia course website). Still, it had a strong student-centered approach, enhanced both student and teacher learning. In fact, the dialogue resulted in the idea of a research study based on the students’ experiences. We were amazed about the content and pedagogical awareness of the students’ reflections.
Why?
Supervision of students doing a voluntary part of their teacher training abroad. The main objective was to give the students a chance to reflect on their experiences and scaffold them in their reflections and analysis of their pedagogical development. As stated on the Playful Digimedia website, “John Suler (2004; 2008) argues that online dialogues may have their own strengths and advantages compared to face-to-face contact”. For some they feel less intense and intimate and thereby provides a stronger ‘zone for reflection’…”(cited from the See one/Playful online dialogues module). This may well have been what happened in this dialogue. The dialogue was intense and the students could critically reflect on their experiences. Perhaps the online (audio only) environment forced us all to be good listeners and we developed a good balance in our diaologue.
How?
o We had planned to use Skype for business and well in advance, I sent out the skype-meeting invitation. Even so, two students were unable to join.
o At first, the student who was on skype had another student on speakerphone. Which of course did not allow for a smooth and equal participation for everyone.
o We quickly decided to try the chat-function (voice only) on Teams. That was the first time for almost every one. It worked very well.
o I used a small conference microphone, which greatly enhanced the audio quality.
Challenges
Time, technology and space. Three students, one Education coordinator and two university lecturers. Everyone at different locations and with technology that at first didn’t deliver.
Insicts
I prefer having online dialogues with students I have met face-to-face prior to meeting online. That was the case here. I also think it provides a safer learning environment for the students. My colleague who participated in the online dialogue and had not previously met the students later confirmed this. It was not that our online dialogue did not work out. In fact, we had a very good discussion. However, ideally you have met the people before you engage in online discussions, especially when discussing issues that are sensitive or personal.
Before the online discussion, I watched the Ted-talks and other videos on the Playful Digimedia website and I really tried to apply the tips when dialoguing. For example, RASA Receive, Appreciate, Summarise and Ask. It made me aware of really working to include everyone in our online discussion.
It’s always frustrating when you make up a online-meeting with a tool and then it doesn’t work. Technical issues! I notice that you are an advanced online-teacher cause you manage to change onlinetool on the fly. It’s therefore good to be familiar with several ones. Teams chat is indeed next on my try-one list.