Blog Post #3: Scribblar and CLEAR Audio Dropbox

What are Synchronous and Asynchronous CMC Tools?

 

in short,

Synchronous CMC Tool = allows teachers and students to interact at the same time.

Asynchronous CMC Tool = allows teachers and students to interact. but not at the same time.

 

I chose the "Scribblar" (click to link) as an example of synchronous tools,

 

 and "CLEAR Audio Dropbox" (click to link) as an example of asynchronous tools.

 

1. Scribblar

 

1) It's a 'virtual whiteboard' that a teacher and students can write on at the same time. When I write "This is cool", students can add more to it.

2) Students can get immersed in the lecture with this tool very easily. Sometimes you need to 'block' students from writing on the board, if not...

Since it's an interactive tool, you need to control the involvement of the students.

3) Scribblar could be very useful in making students participate in the lecture. However, in order to activate the interactive whiteboard, every member should have his/her own computer.

 

2. CLEAR Audio Dropbox

 

1) Don't get confused with the dropbox you're using. When you sign up, you have access to several micro sites that use the same account.

Don't panic. just scroll down.

I like to use the Audio Dropbox. it's very easy to use.

 

Just make a folder and get the embed code.(click the button in the red color lines)

 

2) This tool could be very powerful in improving students' speaking skill, because they can record their voice very easily. Different from Scribblar, you can check the students work without any interference.

 

3) There's normally 30 seconds limitation, so teachers can control the difficulty of the task by the amount of the speaking. For me, I made an easy pilot recording homework by giving just three short sentences. You can give it a try.