Audiographic Teleconferencing Project: An Evaluation

Two other coordinators indicated that the time between receiving the materials and the presentation was too short (usually two days). They had insufficient time to copy and distribute the materials to the tutor-learners and familiarize themselves with the information. These coordinators would have preferred two weeks. (One of these people works part-time.)

Ease of using technology

All coordinators described the technology as relatively easy to use; however, all identified problems with the equipment, either technical or operational. The technical problems are outlined below. In a few instances, the coordinators were able to offer solutions.

• In one case, the slides did not advance, leaving participants having to catch up to the speaker and thereby losing track or losing information. This same coordinator mentioned that her group never knew when to advance the slides. This could be alleviated with a beep indicating the slide should be advanced.
• Another coordinator mentioned that the volume was inconsistent, either too low or too loud. Also two referred to glitches which resulted in some people having trouble getting on line or (possibly) never getting on.
• Three coordinators mentioned having occasional interference or static on the line. Respondents did not know the solution to these technical problems.
• One coordinator said that the technology was not as friendly as was thought. "You did what you were supposed to do and it just didn't happen." This led to frustration. Two made references to the pen not working easily or at all. One said that the presenter was writing but the participants at her end were "just getting meaningless lines."
• One coordinator pointed out that the equipment requires significant fine motor coordination. "It's not at all like being able to point and click." Related to this, she saw difficulties associated with shifting from a more advanced system (point and click) to this "basic technology." In this example and the one cited immediately above, practice was seen as the solution.
• Another comment was that having to wait for a turn to talk kills spontaneity. And yet another thought that the learners get so caught up in trying to use the equipment that their attention on the presentation is destroyed. A third said that it was frustrating "to press down the mike bar and cut off other speakers."