The Newest Member of the Virtual Age: Instructor Office Hours

by

Eric Kennedy

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Arizona State University

Abstract:
From IMs to avatars, iPhones to iPods, [WINDOWS-1252?]today’s youth are more tech savvy than ever before.
As these students become more reliant on technology to mediate their interactions with others (email, cell phones,
text messages, MySpace), educators must devise new ways to reach their audience. In August 2007, I started
offering Virtual Office Hours for my MAT 142 Online students using a program called Adobe Connect. This program,
which is licensed through ASU, allows for a fully interactive virtual environment. Student questions, which are typed
in an instant messaging-style window, are answered both verbally (using a microphone) and visually (using a webcam).
Customizable windows allow instructors to share files, poll students, send private messages, and manage the attendees.

Furthermore, sessions can be recorded and made available to those who were unable to attend. While designed originally
as a platform for businesses to host online meetings, I have found the program to also be an excellent tool for online Q&A
sessions with students. After the successful implementation last fall, the Adobe Connect software is now being piloted by
the entire MAT 142 Online team.

In this talk we will discuss the setup required to host Virtual Office Hours, and then explore thefunctionalities available in
the online environment.