Group Leadership Project, PART A - Brainstorm Session and Recorded Webcast

An online video chat was held; attending the online conference were Iman, Chris and myself (we have not had any successful communication with Hugh as of yet). Chris recorded the session and it is now posted on YouTube (see link to recorded Webcast below).

The technology we selected to demonstrate is using iPad apps that easily assist instructors with digital storytelling. The focus is to concentrate on apps that are easy to interpret and use by instructors, regardless of their technical skills and background. Each group member is researching a different storytelling app; I will cover "StoryKit."

Camtasia will be the technology that will facilitate the learning; it was selected because we can add images and videos, and can narrate and highlight features throughout the presentation. We also have a shared Google doc to post information and Q & A to, will be collaborating online during the week, and meeting again online next weekend to check the progress as a group.

Initial technical aspects for how the work will be completed was discussed. Because Hugh was absent, he will work on the Introduction and possibly the Conclusion/wrap up. Iman will review a digital storybook app, and Chris will either review an app or work on the overall presentation with Hugh. In summary, two or three digital storybook app reviews, covering the process of using the apps and a review [list of pros and cons] related to effectively using these applications on an iPad.

Screen shots of our web conference:

YouTube of our recorded group session: Recorded Group Brainstorm Session

Specifics on the initial online group brainstorming:

We used Google+ "Hangout" as the web conferencing tool. The advantages to using the Hangout tool are that it is a mobile app as well as one accessible using a laptop or computer. We initially used the messaging/chat feature to determine group member's availability, scheduled the web conference, invited group members and held the online session all from within the Hangout application. We are able to post individual questions and replies real-time using the Chat feature, which we used to exchange our email addresses. It has recording features available to record the conference, which Chris did (see YouTube link above).

The disadvantages to using Hangout were minimal, and truly just inconveniences: the mobile app is text based, which can be slow and cumbersome, especially to those that have small input keys on their phone. Each user must download a Google+ app, and adding group members to Google+ Circle. Because Iman and Chris are 7 and 12 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (respectively), a web conference was almost a necessity in order to brainstorm in real time, on a date and time that was the most convenient for all.