Web Conference Reflection

This weekend I was up bright and early, determined to find a quiet spot in my houseful of kids and husband so that I could participate in a web conference targeted to helping students through this weeks assignment.  The web conferences are always helpful in answering and clearing up details about weekly assignments.  The main concerns from this weeks conference seemed geared more towards documenting our hours and reflections of our course embedded activities and TK20.  I was surprised at the number of students still struggling with TK20 - I was under the impression that we were a cohort meaning we have entered a few items already into TK20 for other professors and our field supervisors.  I did learn during the time in the web conference that I am behind in my reflections for various activities I have completed as part of my intern plan.  

This week, I went into the web conference with one question for the week.  Do I need to prepare a presentation in addition to my outline for a presentation.  Apparently there were others in the group with the same question.  Dr. Abernathy was not positive at first whether we needed to or not, but felt that it was not required.  Thankfully another student had the assignment in front of her and was able to quote the requirements for us.

Sunday evening's conference was a bit more enlightening.  Even with technical difficulties with my computer speakers and being in a coffee house trying to listen without headphones because that was what caused my speakers to go out, I was able to pick up bits and pieces from various parent/school community projects other students were doing.  I was surprised at the number of other schools that participate in Backpack Buddies or something of the same idea.  I wish I could have heard more of the conversation on the ones sharing about helping students keep clean by providing the gym showers early each morning because they do not have the means to shower at home or wherever they are living.

As helpful as the web conferences are for students, there is a bit of difficulty participating.  Students arrive at different times and will ask the same questions over and over again.  You could hear the frustration level in Dr. Abernathy's tone after awhile.  When I first started the program, I attended the web conferences without fail - even leaving my son's baseball game to ensure I was there for a conference.  In the past few classes, I have slacked on attending because some professors will want each person on mic to speak and the conferences can get lengthy.  The lag in technology causes confusion as well in the discussion.  The web conferences that have worked best for me, since being in the program, are the ones that has a student or 2 typing responses for those who do not have audio.  Students typing in questions in the chat box, the professor responding to questions and being the only person on mic.  They are productive and effective.

With everything there are pros and cons but thank you Lamar Academic Partnership professors for providing a way for students to interact with you!