TUTORIAL SESSION

Synchronous Online Teaching with Open Source MIST/C

Prof. J Mark Pullen
George Mason University, USA
mpullen@netlab.gmu.edu

Duration

3 hours

Abstract

The synchronous mode of distance education has a number of benefits, including significant time savings, both from reduced preparation effort and from the ability to present to classroom and online students simultaneously. Moodle Integrated Synchronous Teaching/Conferencing (MIST/C) is a recently developed free, open source combination of the popular Moodle learning management system with highly effective Internet voice, graphic and video software that has been proved by use in an online graduate program since 2004. Moodle provides a platform for student login, management of slides and recordings, and great all-around structure for independent learning activities. MIST/C provides a simple audiographic communication interface: speech, slides and annotations, with optional video and other features such as voting and breakout groups, all supporting interaction by students. All actions of instructor and students can be recorded and posted in Moodle for asynchronous playback.
The tutorial will describe and model (using Moodle and MIST/C) methods of effective presentation that have been validated by extensive use at George Mason University, with emphasis on methods for simultaneous classroom/online presentation (“simulteaching”). Participants will run MIST/C on their own laptop computer (Windows, Macintosh or Linux), connected by wi-fi, to experience both instructor and students roles.

Objectives

a. Provide participants with a good understanding of basic synchronous online distance education principles and possibilities.
b. Equip participants with ability to use MIST/C or similar software to teach synchronous or “simulteaching” online classes.

Timeline

a. Before tutorial: assistance with Wi-Fi connection as participants arrive; they will connect to a server we run on our own laptop.
b. First half: introduction to online teaching principles and MIST/C.
i. Online teaching basics (15 min)
ii. Strengths and weaknesses of synchronous online mode (15 min)
iii. Overview of MIST/C client (20 min)
iv. Students load MIST/C software on their own computer (20 min)
v. Practice using the software (20 min)
c. Break, including assistance to anyone having install problems (30 min)
d. Second half (conducted over MIST/C)
i. Combining synchronous and asynchronous for best effect (15 min)
ii. Principles of effective online presentation (15 min)
iii. Basics of setting up an online course in Moodle (15 min)
iv. Server issues (15 min)
v. Managing an effective online program (15 min)
vi. Demonstration of advanced MIST/C features, time permitting (15 min)

Background Knowledge Expected of the Participants

General familiarity with and operation skills for their own computer; some experience in classroom teaching.

Presenters

• Prof. J Mark Pullen – George Mason University, USA
• Priscilla McAndrews – George Mason University, USA

Qualifications of the Instructor(s)

Dr. Mark Pullen has forty years of educational experience and twenty years of experience with online course delivery. He has been a pioneer in online teaching, first as an early adopter and then leading 15 of his colleagues to develop one of the first online MS degree programs in Computer Science. He also leads the software development team that has produced MIST/C as free, open source online teaching software. He is a Professor of Computer Science; Fellow of both professional societies in computing technology, IEEE and ACM; and the author of over 150 publications. See http://netlab.gmu.edu/mpullen

Priscilla McAndrews is Laboratory Manager of the Networking and Simulation Laboratory, Webmaster of the C4I Center, and a lead developer in the team that developed MIST/C. She holds the MS degree in Computer Science and has many years experience in software development.

Dr. Mark Pullen has forty years of educational experience and twenty years of experience with online course delivery. He has been a pioneer in online teaching, first as an early adopter and then leading 15 of his colleagues to develop one of the first online MS degree programs in Computer Science. He also leads the software development team that has produced MIST/C as free, open source online teaching software. He is a Professor of Computer Science; Fellow of both professional societies in computing technology, IEEE and ACM; and the author of over 150 publications.