iCochise - Crossloop Critique
Home Page: http://www.crossloop.com/
Description (copied from their site): Global Computer Support and Training –
get help immediately by real people,
rated by users like you.
(My description): Crossloop is a real-time tech support site where experts can market their services. If you need help configuring Word (for example), you can log into Crossloop and get live support from an expert who happens to be online. The support cost is determined by the expert and will vary.
The reason I've included Crossloop on my site, though, is that you can download and use their connection software free of charge. As a supporter, you can guide a student to install the crossloop client and then give you access to their computer so you can help them with a problem they may be having. This is especially helpful for computer "hands-on" classes, though any instructor could show a student how to set up Word (or other tools) for a particular class. As an example, an accounting instructor could access Excel on a student's computer and talk the student through some problem while doing the work on the student's spreadsheet.
Cost: Free
Grade:B
Compare With: None
Critique: This is an excellent tool for instructors in certain disciplines; especially those using computer applications as part of the class. It is very easy to set up and use and will make teaching certain computer skills very effective. It would be much more efficient to access a student's computer and actually "step through" some application than to try to create a printed document to do the same.
Crossloop also includes an easy way to transfer files between the two connected computers. Thus, an instructor could have some sort of "sample document" that could be sent to the student as they are working together.
This tool earns a B because it is missing an online chat tool, which would be a very nice addition. By using some sort of chat tool, the tutor and student could commuicate without a telephone connection. Long-distance charges would be significant for students located at a distance from the instructor (though a VOIP tool like Skype would help).