Navigate 1 - Synchronous Vendor Market

What synchronous vendor application/tool did you select? 

I selected the synchronous vendor application BigBlueButton.  This vendor application enables instructors to share audio, slides, chat, video and desktop with students.  It even has a built-in polling system which can help students to interact and remain engaged.  It also has the function to record.  I was able to log in easily using my google account. Once logged in I could set up the meeting by typing in the name of the meeting.  I am given a link to share with others to invite them to the meeting by copying the URL or by an email invitation.  

Using the application, what did you experience using the synchronous learning tool? 

Was the task easy? Challenging? 

My experience using the leaning tool was mostly positive.  The site has tutorial videos which show how to use the features.  These videos explain step by step what to do.  The task of logging in and starting the meeting was fairly easy.  Also using the microphone was not a problem.  Using the chat features also came easy.  One can chat with the group or chat with one particular person.  The part I found most changeling was playing back the recorded session.  The system has a feature to record the meeting and this can be done by pressing the record button on the top left side of the session, however it was a challenge for me to figure out how to review the recorded lesson.  

Did the process present problems? 

Again, recording itself was not a problem.  It would say  start recording and then ask are you sure.  I would say yes and then record, after which I hit the record button again to stop.  It would ask, are you sure you want to stop the recording and I would say yes.  I feel that if I continue to work with this, it will become easier and I will be able to view the recorded session.  As I was working on this question, I stopped to check my email and BigBlueButton has emailed me the link to the recording.  I am very impressed with this, I can now listen to the recorded session and even share the link.  So, problem solved. 

Overall, I was extremely impressed with this site.  It reminded me a lot of the blackboard collaborate which my instructor used when I was obtaining my healthcare science teacher certification.  We would meet once a week and if we missed the session we could go in and listen to the recording.  We could raise our hands to answer questions and she would often conduct polls.  Also, she would place us in breakout groups and even come and check on each group during our classes.