I teach for Credenda Virtual High school; a synchronous online high school. We use Elluminate Live, a web-conferencing program to communicate with our students during regularly scheduled classes. My students have access to the internet whenever they are in class. What a treat! This has changed how I teach. I can change my role from teaching and answering questions, to guiding learning by asking questions and providing problems. My students search online and share their answers and solutions.
When given the opportunity to share text, graphics or videos, student generally share video responses with their classmates. I have found that video often has a more of an impact which results in better retention.
My students enjoy using Web 2.0 tools to share ideas and collaborate online. We use blogs, wikis, podcasts, Voicethreads, and other gadgets and widgets galore. They value the opportunity to publish their ideas online to the world and with each other. Generally I have found student produce better quality products when they share it with others rather than just handing in an assignment to me.
