Possible Moodle Communication Tools

I have been experimenting with different communication tools to try and figure out the best way to create a “podcast” like component to my Moodle course. My course is on “Teaching ESL online” and part of the learning is about  communicating with the students.

Right now, we offer a licensed ESL Moodle course that we have no ability or permission to edit. As such, we have huge problems communicating with students. On a basic level of communication, we are using www.edmodo.com as a “social networking and posting of information tool” every week for each course.We also meet with the students every week “f2f” by videoconferencing. I am pretty familiar with Blackboard, Elluminate, skype and now adobe connect. These platforms let the teacher really engage with the students and get to know them better.

Tonight I tried out Dimdim (no longer available) , Nanogong and Wimba. Nanogong (MoodleGong) is extremely slow, but great if it will work. I may try and install it into my course for fun. When I tried to click on different people’s responses the screen froze, a lot, which limited my experiences. It was not very user friendly. Wimba was terrific – clear and very easy to use. I really liked it, but I believe that it costs money – and my company doesn’t have enough to spend on audio services. If I could prove how wonderful it was, maybe they would reconsider?

My other option are podcasts using Web 2.0 tools. I personally love audioboo because it is so easy to use. I have not used it in a course yet, so the students would have to send me their links. I guess I am looking for an option that keeps everything in one place.

Lots more to investigate….but that is what I have discovered so far!

Verena:)