Further Information
Getting more information
For someone wanting to know more about using voice online, Brad and Vanessa recommend the "Beyond Text, Using your Voice Online" resource. It has been released by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework and provides real life examples of using voice, including the Wimba Voice Tools by ground level teachers.
http://btresource.flexiblelearning.net.au/index.html
Looking forward
In terms of challenges, Brad identified keeping up with the teachers willingness to embrace new online technologies, especially voice as his biggest challenge.
The next step for online learning?
"The driver for online learning is that people are social animals, and they want to interact. They want to be part of a real interaction with other humans throughout that learning experience. And I think that's where the next generation of online learning tools will need to take us." BB
Brad suspects that integrating more voice functionalities together - for example integrating podcasting with voice boards is where the future lies in terms of building online communities of learners (as a follow up to this interview, NetSpot has negotiated access to the new Wimba Podcaster [due for release last 2006] for GippsTAFE to test and give comment on directly to the developers).
