New Media Theory & Digital Culture

This week I completed the two-part required training in using the distant learning / collaborating software package called Elluminate. SUNY-IT has a license (I understand) to use this package in its distance education program, and I am anxious to incorporate it into this class, COM418 / IDT 518. I expect several applications within the remaining weeks of the course: 1-2 formal lectures with online discussion and 2-3 sessions in which students will deliver draft versions of their term papers. I’ll prepare a schedule of these events once I receive formal authorization to use Elluminate in the class.

For now, I would recommend to all students in thr course to examine some of the materials on this package; much is available on the website and some of it – recorded training sessions – is freely accessible and suitable for participants in Elluminate sessions.

Although I was reserved about the value of the training before taking it, noted in a previous post, all that uncertainty has vanished. The trainings were no less than excellent, given by very competent instructors. I was frequently ‘dazzled’ by the adroitness of the trainers in using the package software. I see many possibilities in the distant education arena; although we will use but a few of the functiionalities, I would recommend exploring the package by those persons in the class with a special interest in distant collaboration or distant education.