Training via webcam

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 28th, 2010, 7:14 am

I've begun having Skype training sessions with a few people from one of my Yahoo groups. We've only had one so far but it was pretty neat. We have another scheduled but not until the end of November. I was wondering if anybody here would be interested in training together over Skype (or another program, as long as it's free to download!). We could just each work on whatever we need to work on, but take turns so the person who is watching can offer suggestions or just cheer or whatever. I'd love to do this once or twice a week as it would help hold me accountable for training. And often another set of eyes will see something obvious that I may have missed that could make a big difference in training.

I'm available evenings and weekends, Eastern Standard Time. It would be fun if we could get a few of us - Skype has a new Beta version that allows up to 10 people. It's a little confusing to get it up and running but once it starts it's pretty neat. And obviously if we have more than one person that gives more leeway in finding somebody whose training schedule is compatible with your own if you want to stick to one on one sessions.

Anybody want to try? All you need is high-speed internet, a webcam, and Skype - it's totally free.

by **TheRedQueen** » October 28th, 2010, 9:54 am

I'd love to try, but it wouldn't be free for me, since I don't have either a webcam or Skype...

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 28th, 2010, 10:04 am

I meant Skype was free - to download and use. lol

by **Hundilein** » October 28th, 2010, 10:05 am

I'm intrigued. This might be a good, creative way to keep myself motivated with Renee. Classes around here never fit into my schedule.

by **TheRedQueen** » October 28th, 2010, 12:09 pm

oh...but I don't have a webcam

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 28th, 2010, 5:22 pm

Sarah, let me know if you ever want to give it a try!

by **Tubular Toby** » October 28th, 2010, 5:25 pm

I am interested. I am pretty shy at first, haha, but I feel like this would be a really valuable tool!

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 28th, 2010, 5:31 pm

Shoot me a PM if you want to schedule something!

by **furever_pit** » October 29th, 2010, 1:00 pm

Sounds interesting. Dylan and I would be down.

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 29th, 2010, 3:24 pm

Lemme know when you wanna give it a shot!

by **DemoDick** » October 29th, 2010, 3:33 pm

Skype is revolutionizing instruction in every area. The ability to get one-on-one instruction in any number of areas with an expert on the other side of the planet is amazing.

Demo Dick

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 29th, 2010, 3:46 pm

It really is - I'd never used it before but the possibilities are endless.

by **Tubular Toby** » October 29th, 2010, 5:34 pm

I am really interested in seeing if a few of us can schedule a time and do it as a group, like you were saying. I think that would be really cool every now and then. Although I am interested in one on one too.

by **Ino** » October 29th, 2010, 8:14 pm

I'd love to but not sure the room I am in would be big enough to do anything with Ino- plus we are probably behind everyone else here when it comes to the training thing. We have a lot of stuff that "needs improvement" :oops:

. Not sure if my webcam works either.

by **Tubular Toby** » October 29th, 2010, 8:38 pm

Oh geez, if there is a level of training we are supposed to be at, you can probably count me out too! Haha

I'm sure I speak for the whole group when I say that you'd be welcome regardless of level! That's the first benefit I see to this, really, just a wide variety of skill levels.

by **tiva** » October 29th, 2010, 8:54 pm

I'll do it! I use skype all the time for teaching--as Dirk said, it's revolutionary. And free! It's great for having one person doing something with their dog (shaping, for example), while the other person watches and offers feedback.

Erin, webcams are just a few bucks on amazon (the $6 ones are abundant, and they do fine--here's one:
http://www.amazon.com/Megapixel-Webcam- ... gy_e_img_c

If your computer is 3 years old or less, it's almost certain that it does have a webcam hiding in there somewhere--they've gotten so cheap, all recent computers include them.

Group video skyping with more than two people is in beta for windows, and soon to be in beta for mac. That will really make things fun!

by **pitbullmamaliz** » October 29th, 2010, 9:06 pm

Absolutely no need to have a certain level of training! That's the whole point of this - people of all different levels can work together and offer productive feedback to each other!

From what I've seen, the size of the room isn't as important as the LIGHTING. I have a lamp that I put on the floor in front of me with the shade off to light me well. Back lighting is your enemy!

by **DemoDick** » October 29th, 2010, 9:22 pm

tiva wrote:I'll do it! I use skype all the time for teaching--as Dirk said, it's revolutionary.

I am not a "Dirk". I am a "Dick". Just to clear that up.

I know of a couple students of the Great Highland Bagpipe who are working with world-class instructors in Edinburgh through Skype...that used to mean a substantial investment in burning vacation time, the cost of travel and lodging, and the cost of the instruction itself. Now it's been streamlined and they have these instructors in their homes. It's an awesome technology.

Demo Dick

by **madremissy** » October 30th, 2010, 12:45 am

Skype is awsome

Been using it for almost a year. Talk to Mckinlee everyday, never thought about using it for training. :doh:

Sarah now you can teach your favorite students via webcam. :wink:

by **Hundilein** » October 30th, 2010, 7:20 pm

madremissy wrote:Skype is awsome Been using it for almost a year. Talk to Mckinlee everyday, never thought about using it for training. Sarah now you can teach your favorite students via webcam.

Sounds good to me! You know I love me some Sammy! And Princess Kinzyl is, of course, awesome as well.

Training via webcam

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