In this post I am going to introduce Gizmo as an application and as a teaching resource.
Gizmo5 operates on SIPphone VoIP platform and it offers free VoIP services. It is a new way to use voice, a way where calls were free. It is very similar to Skype but has some unique features that make it appealing for online conferencing
To read more about Gizmo, click below,
As an application
Gizmo, as well as other VOIP and messenger applications, can be used as a resource for teaching and learning. First let’s see how it works and then we will explore its possible educational uses
It is a VOIP application with an important set of features that make it attractive for personal and professional uses. These days, Gizmo has a feature that makes it stand out from other competitors, such as Skype. This may change soon, but for now, Gizmo allows for recording meetings without having to download a third party application.
There are several tutorials that help to get started with Gizmo, but here I have created a short introduction to get started and links to other sources of information. I hope this tutorial is helpful to those looking for a different use of technologies for teaching and learning
GETTING STARTED
1- Go to http://gizmo5.com/pc/
2. Create a Login and download Gizmo
3. Ask your friends for their Gizmo IDs and add them to your list
4. Start using Gizmo by clicking on the name of an online user
5. The following image shows a text and video/audio chat in Gizmo witn 2 users
When you are in call, you will see a Recod button in the call window, and you can start recording the call. All parties will be informed that the call is being recorded. The call will be saved to your desktop and will play back in Windows Media, quicktime or the default player in your computer.
NOTE: Gizmo also allows you to contact friends with other IDs (AOL, IM, Google)
Group Chat or Conference Call
You can maintain a conference call with people online or on their phones and record the calls.
To have a conference call with Gizmo Users
Click on the icon to create a group chat (at the bottom of the screen)
The dialog box below will open, once you select those items, your group will receive the invitations and will be ready to start
If you want to invite others on a phone conference call, just select the conference call tab on top of the menu and it will provide a box to enter the number for your conference and step by step instructions
Watch a short clip that shows how to move through the gizmo windows
As a resource for teaching and learning
It can be used with different pedagogical and support purposes, here some ideas:
Office hours, interviews, group interaction, guest speakers.
Advantages: (A)Flexibility (office hours can be held from anywhere with an Internet connection), (B)Discussion as class resources (You can record the meetings if what is being discussed may be helpful to the class), (C) Group discussions (If there are more than 2 students coming in at the same time, everybody can share the same group space in Gizmo)
Office Hours: Invite your students to have a Gizmo ID and to come to office hours online.
Guest Speakers: Invite subject matter experts to talk to your class live, they only need a web cam, a microphone and headphones (or headset) and a Gizmo ID.
Interviews: Record mini interviews with students, subject matter experts and colleagues using Gizmo, and use them to expand the learning experience. This can be done by students too.
Group Interactions: (students-students, instructor-assistants, assistants/instructor-students) Students do not have to come to campus to meet as a group, an online chat with sharing of files may fulfill the purpose of the meeting.
