There were 9 of us all in the same voice conference - but maybe it was about 5 too many even though at different times there was at least one of us who could not get into the chat because Skype has a limit of 9 participants in conference calls.
I was expecting some confusion because we were shifting between software environments but I think having so many items open at once was a problem. I know that leaving the chat window open was a good fall back as some could not get into Skype but maybe we should have just had one Skype window open and not about 4 or sometimes 5 as I ended up with - as I accepted different Skype phone calls from those who could not access the other conference call
Skype text based chat is great and I hope people have not been put off by the many windows open at once syndrome. That is not the normal way to use it. We might need to restrict ourselves to one or two windows.
The big temptation is if you are having problems with Skype is to directly ring someone and then if they are in a conversation with others get the to put their conversation on hold to answer your direct call.
At this point it does become a little annoying in that if the person who takes the call is the same one who is hosting the voice conference then everyone else is on hold too
This does not happen with text based Skype chat - however if there is a voice chat going it is so tempting to be in that as it is so much more immediate.
This is Skype's big plus for online learning it is immediate and then sense of social presence is very much enhanced.
The big draw back is that it can only handle 9 people. Strangely 9 people all talking at once is a drawback to and any more would I expect be a further nightmare.
Skype voice based conferencing really needs some prety firm ground rules about turn taking to be agreed to before people go there - however I think spending too much time setting ground rules before anyone has any experience of why might actually take the spontaneity and level of excitement oot of peoples first experience with Skpe.
I wonder in the interest of keeping people motivated to use online there needs to be only just minimal rule setting and then put up with a bit of confusion until things settle later.
Anyway open to ideas on what you thought of Skype as a teaching and learning environment - I hope I have not put too many of you off _ I really think it has a lot f potential
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I have just left a comment on my blog in response to your comment.
All that you have said here I agree with and see Skype as a very positive tool. I was actually surprised how easy it was for the 9 participants in a conference call to quickly form into a community, recognise each others voices and not talk over each other.
One question I do have is - are there any other free alternatives to Skype? I would have though that there would now be many other organisations offering the same services. I understand that Melb. Uni do not endorse Skype but do they suggest any alternative?
So UniMelb.edu.au doesn't endorse Skype? Well that explains why I got nowhere when trying to use the ERC Multimedia PC! It all makes perfect sense.
This is Skype's big plus for online learning it is immediate and then sense of social presence is very much enhanced.
I do like Skype. I believe that it's contribution to online learning would be in the realm of collaboration for participants in a group task. I believe that for synchronous communication during a brainstorm, for example, it does the job quite well. Most groups wouldn't be larger than 9 anyway.
The problems arise from Skype when you look at cross platform compatibility. If all users are on a Windows-based PC, then everything is okay. Problems will arise if one of the members has the nerve to use an alternative operating system. The different versions don't all support the same collaborative features and then the plan goes to custard.
And then of course even if you are on a Windows PC with a fast connection, the Uni policy might just stop you dead in your tracks!
Joanne and Michael there are large number of alternatives to Skype - Gizmo, Advocato, Jajah are some free Voice over IP software environments.
The trouble is most people know Skype and Skype is the richest and has the most features like Skypcasting and Group text based chats and addons like Pamela voice recorder etc - which has not realy been working for me yet because it starts a differnet recording on each phone call answered and drops the previous recording if you answer someone while you are in a group call.
Anyway check the others out but I reckon they will all have probs except perhaps until they are noticed they will not be banned by the uni as Skype is - so you are righ there Joanne but at the moment I am loathe to switch to something else and all I can say to Michael is next week try text based Skype at home even with your dial up and we will see how we go.
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