I think that our lesson on Adobe was really fulfilling as it really enhance our understanding in the third space. I think that the fact that we could see ourselves in the screen act as a reminder that we should really act appropriately when the webcam was turned on. It was also a great way to have a lesson especially when the lecture would set ground rules that we need to respond when called, this was a really well thought way to make sure that we are paying attention at all times.
The part which I enjoy the most was the last part where we did a collaborative performance which we were supposed to join up with the person beside us to make something interesting.
I also love the part that we could chat in the chat box during the lesson which gave us a form of entertainment as we were joking in it.
Overall, this was a really fun experience for me and i am sure that we would definitely do this again over the normal physical class that we are always having(for other module too).
Enhancing understanding of third space via Adobe Connect (AC)
In what specific ways did the lesson help you gain a better understanding of the Third Space?
Acting appropriately when the webcam was turned on
So, did you act inappropriately when the webcam was turned off? Kekekee.
What inappropriate actions are you referring to? I ask this because I see far more inappropriate activities at B1-14, sometimes right under Randall’s nose. Ha ha ha.
You can email me at nie15401@e.ntu.edu.sg or send me a Facebook message if they are too inappropriate to mention here.
Ground rules: Needing to respond when called
So is this method of compelling all students to participate something you’d like to see more of? Mirei mentioned in her reflection that she felt this made the experience inauthentic, as students only participated because Randall compelled them to. It felt scripted and thus not as spontaneous as it should be.
I see the same thing at B1-14. Everyone generally remains silent unless Randall picks them out. Why do you think students wait to be questioned, instead of initiating discussion? Why don’t students offer an alternative viewpoint to the speaker or even disagree?
Chat box as form of entertainment
I love how the chat box allows conversations and discussion without interrupting the ongoing lesson, as well. I wonder why the chat box was used more to crack jokes than to initiate more meaningful discussion about the topics being discussed. The chat box could be used to disagree and argue an alternative viewpoint, without disrupting the flow of the lesson. Yet, this did not happen. Why do you think a robust discussion or debate did not happen in the chat box? Perhaps it did occur, but in private chat. Did you use the private chat feature?
Preference for online over onsite lessons
Can you tell what you enjoy most about learning online compared to learning at B1-14? I seek to understand the benefits of online learning for undergraduates who live on and off campus. What are your main gripes about coming to ADM for lessons?
Personally, I observe that you and several of your peers are far more animated at B1-14 than on Adobe Connect. Your range of facial expressions, postures, hand gestures — what we term paralinguistic or non verbal actions — at B-14, far exceed what is expressed online. In fact, I was photographing these fascinating aspects on Thursday evening, when Xin Feng expressed her annoyance with me. My apologies Xin Feng!
It appeared that the range of paralinguistic markers was very limited on Adobe Connect, and that the mood only changed when Randall ran the collaborative activities.
Collaborative online performance
Can you tell me more about your experience as a live performer collaborating with other students on Adobe Connect? Which aspect of the activity did you find most interesting? Thank you.
Thank you for your long comment, I am surprised that your comment was much longer than my post! hahahaa!
I was referring to more like public inappropriateness like scratching armpits, picking teeth, things that you wouldn’t do when there’s someone looking at you, since a webcam give the same psychological effect.
As for the needing to respond, I think it will be a good way to make sure we are listening, also, there are always more outspoken student as well as quiet student in a class, if the teacher does not call and wait for participation,I am sure 99% of the time the outspoken students will be those that respond.
Of course the chat box could be used to disagree and argue for different viewpoint, but at least for me since I am a student, it is always easier to listen to what the teacher taught and think for myself weather to absorb it or not. It makes far more sense this way than to think ignorantly that my point will always be right and start arguing who made more sense, I am sure that the teacher is wiser than me.
As for the online lesson over physical lesson, I will have the comfort from home, save on transportation, transportation time(3hours altogether) and dinner outside, doesn’t have to reach home at 12am(previously before the change in lesson time).
Yes, I agree that we will communicate far better from the physical environment with non-verbal communication, however that is not what we must to do as a student, we just need to be responsive and productive. I understand that you would like to observe us with all our facial expression, posture and hand gestures due to the nature of your research, but for us, when the teacher asked us a question, we are expected to give our answer or opinion, having gesture or not is just not that important since I think that the teacher will be listening for our content and not focusing on our gesture(unless it is some psychological or communication lesson or something)
Lastly, I like the collaborative performance as it was really funny since the physical left is the screen right, even simple task like matching the hand to the neighbor takes a huge amount of effort and we seems really dumb doing it, which I personally enjoyed because it was funny.
Oh my, let me guess—you probably live in Tampines or Pasir Ris—about 2 hours away from ADM.
I’ll let you in on a secret — teachers tend to give more attention to students who respond with positive body language — posture, gesture, facial expression. How an individual responds to the teacher and classmates, often affects their responses, giving rise to a continuous feedback loop.
Breaking this loop can be troubling to certain people, as your classmates have mentioned. The sense of discomfort is amplified when the speaker cannot see the reactions of the listeners.
That is why it is vital for me to know what effect Adobe Connect and B1-14 have on teaching, learning, motivation and engagement during lessons.
Teacher knows best
So you are more eager to learn from the professor you believe is wiser. Do you also think your classmates are also wiser than you?
I ask this because I rarely see student comments signalling disagreement or alternative ideas or suggestions for improvement. Virtually all student comments indicate agreement and support for the views expressed.
I just read an interview where SMU don, Kirpal Singh, revealed how even at SMU, a creative arts professor was expected to listen to directions coming from the top. Even SMU administrators and professors were not prepared or allowed to exercise their own imagination.
This, he argues, is a problem with education because, if we don’t stimulate learners’ imagination in ways which are different from the norm, creativity cannot work successfully. Often, the system is geared towards making you conform and comply.
I wonder if this is also in the teaching and learning of the creative arts at ADM. I can understand why in Singapore, few Singaporean students would dare openly disagree with the professor, but what about disagreeing with your classmates?