Geography FM- Fancy meeting you here?

[Tony Cassidy]

Please humour me as I explain this one...
Sometime ago myself and Noel discussed the use of flash meeting (http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/)  (online conferencing with the use of a webcam or microphone) by edtechroundup ( http://edtechroundup.wikispaces.com/ )and wondered whether a similar model would be suitable for the Geographical community.

We discussed the flash meeting as an opportunity to share classroom practice, from the simple to the complex, with the aim of drawing in a range of pedagogical approaches from a variety of teachers.  We believed such as approach should be open all Geography practitioners.

After a couple of attempts we managed to gain a flash meeting account and subsequently had a play with the technology.

As a result we would like to invite fellow colleagues to Geography FM’s visit meeting on Thursday 23rd of April 8.00 p.m. – 9.00 p.m. .

Details about Geography FM can be found on the wiki

http://geographyfm.pbwiki.com/

Details of the first meeting can be found here.

http://geographyfm.pbwiki.com/Thursday-23rd-of-April-2009

The meeting will include feedback from the G.A. conference, the use of Twitter in the classroom and QR codes (Yes I don’t know what they are either!).  

What do you need to do to attend?

Please request access to edit the Wiki, when permission is received, add your name to the attendees by editing it. If you feel brave and want to speak about a resource, topic or issue, please add to the agenda.
The web address for the meeting will be added to the Wiki on Thursday.

We are limited to a number of 20, but have the possibility of increasing numbers; we will also record the meeting so that they can be viewed online.

This is open to everyone, whatever your perspective or experience, it’s also a good laugh.

Hope to see you here. (I nicked that one from Tom).

Please let me know of any issues or questions on this thread.

[Davidbittern777]

would love to be part of this if possible count me in....

[goneunderground]

me too 

[Katharine]

Sounds interesting - I've requested access to edit the wiki.
How good does my webcam need to be for this to work? I need to go and buy it this afternoon...

[Victoria]

Looking forward to it!! 

Katharine, although it is better to have a webcam, it is possible to join in with just a microphone.  If you go and buy one, however, you can try out augmented reality too!!!   You can get a reasonable one for £10-15.

[Noel Jenkins]

Just like to urge people who may be dithering to give it a go. The first time in a Flash meeting is always a little strange, but it's a great way to explore video-conferencing within a well-structured and supportive environment. Could be the start of something really good.

I'd like to congratulate Tony (I don't do Conferences) Cassidy for the huge amount of time and effort he's put into this initiative.

Noel

[Katharine]

Have just emailed the Head of ICT to see if he can lend me a webcam for Thursday. If it works well, I'll go and buy one.
I don't suppose you can use a normal video camera for this, can you?

[Liz Smith]

Thanks Tony for organising it all!  I too think that this is a great opportunity to share ideas. Geography FM....switch on, tune in!!!

[Chris LS]

Hello Tony, sounds much more interesting than ending up watching 'Coast' (yet again) at 8pm next Thursday.  I didn't make the GA Conference this year, have not caught onto Twitter properly yet, and I haven't got a clue about QR codes either.....so some "catch-up" would be welcome.

[goneunderground]

Incidentally,although it's much better to have webcam and/or  mike for the flashmeeting, it isn't obligatory and you can just join and watch/listen and type in your comments in the so-called "back channel". I do it all the time on ETRU cos I iz shy 

[Katharine]

What is ETRU? (hate to think I'm missing out on something!)

[Victoria]

ETRU is EdTech Roundup - think it began via Twitter, or at least that is how I came to know about it.  It's a group of people (some IT teachers, some consultant type people, and some teachers of subjects other than ICT who might have responsibility for e-Learning and suchlike in their schools) who FlashMeet on a Sunday evening and talk about all manner of edtechy type things.  I've "lurked" at a few of them and picked up some interesting bits and pieces, but a lot of it is over my head (although there is talk of a "newbies" version soon...).

If you look at the link to the ETRU wiki in Tony's first post, you can see the agendas and minutes and watch replays of the meetings.

[goneunderground]

On Sunday 26th there is a VLE special discussing the pros and cons of different VLEs (.8.30 onwards) which might be of interest to some of you. Alternatively tonight it is on usual time 8.30  and if you popped in for ten minutes it might give you a chance to test out your equipment and get a feel for Flashmeeting in time for the Real McCoy on Thursday   Link here http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/fm/8322b8-6083

[Plene]

Like Chris I didn't make it to conference so would love to join in.

[Katharine]

Thanks - sounds like it will be way over my head, but I will give it a go!