Summary
John Carlson, Xavier Lesage Moretti, and Lynne Duffy, along with participant Elle Kay, discussed Koala Go, an online teaching platform with interactive features like a whiteboard, co-browser, and playground, addressing concerns about invoicing and highlighting its integration with Kid Inspired curriculum. Additionally, they emphasized how Koala Go enhances engagement in ESL classes and promotes effective learning strategies through the Koala Go platform, making it a valuable resource for educators and students alike. John Carlson will email a meeting recording and a Koala Go access code.
Details
- Meeting Introduction and Participants John Carlson, Xavier Lesage Moretti, and Lynne Duffy started the meeting. They discussed their locations and professions (00:09:59). Lynne Duffy is a volunteer English teacher in Mexico, using Google Meet. Xavier Lesage Moretti is from France and works with Koala (00:10:58) (00:14:33). John Carlson expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Xavier (00:12:38).
- Koala Platform Overview Xavier Lesage Moretti introduced Koala, a platform designed for online teaching, particularly beneficial for students with learning differences (00:14:33). They highlighted its features, including whiteboard, co-browser, and playground tools (00:19:21). They emphasized that the tools can be used independently or in combination (00:20:32).
- Koala’s Whiteboard Features The whiteboard allows for text, drawing, sticky notes, recording classes, and a reward system (00:19:21) (00:28:04). The teacher has control over student interaction and can disable it if needed (00:27:05). There’s also an eraser tool for selective object deletion (00:29:13).
- Student Invitation and Classroom Management The teacher invites students using a unique link; separate links can be generated for students in China for improved connectivity (00:21:19). The teacher can manage student behavior by disabling interaction and utilizing a reward system (00:27:05) (00:39:23). A waiting game keeps students engaged while waiting for the teacher’s acceptance (00:25:12).
- Koala’s Co-browser Function The co-browser allows teachers and students to interact with online content simultaneously, including Kid Inspired curriculum (00:32:52) (00:35:43). Teachers can control student interaction within the co-browser (00:34:42). The platform offers 24/7 support (00:30:10).
- Koala’s Playground Feature The playground is a game-like environment designed for interactive learning (00:44:54). It includes a marketplace for user-created content (00:50:31). Teachers can design their own spaces or purchase pre-made ones. Activities are saved and accessible across sessions (00:45:46) (00:51:27).
- Gems Reward System Koala offers a reward system using gems, earned by students, that can be used to purchase items in the playground (00:42:57) (00:46:54). This incentivizes positive behavior and engagement (00:38:30) (00:43:52).
- User Feedback and Clarifications Elle Kay, a participant, shared their experience using Zoom and other platforms and expressed interest in Koala due to its interactive features (01:02:23). They raised concerns regarding the invoicing system’s fee (01:00:26).
- Invoicing System Clarification Xavier clarified that the invoicing system is optional, and its fee applies only when used. It is most helpful for teachers in countries without Stripe support (01:02:23) (01:06:37).
- Additional Features and Support Koala offers 24/7 support via an in-app chat, assisting teachers with technical issues and student login inquiries (00:30:10). The platform allows for the seamless integration of PowerPoint presentations into the whiteboard (00:54:55).
- Small Group Activities While breakout rooms aren’t currently available, the playground allows for the creation of multiple areas within a single session for small group activities (00:55:46).
- Activity Persistence In the playground, activities are saved; the teacher and students resume where they left off when returning to an existing activity. However, students start from the sky each time they join (00:56:55).
- Affiliate Link and Pricing An affiliate link was provided to offer a free trial of Koala Pro and a discount on a subscription. The pricing tiers were discussed, including the free, pro, and enterprise options (00:57:39) (00:59:42). The platform is affordable and helpful for various instructors.
- Tech Integration and Curriculum Usage Koala integrates well with Kid Inspired curriculum through the co-browser, providing enhanced interactive capabilities beyond those found in tools like Zoom (00:36:34).
- Meeting Summary The meeting concluded with a positive note. Xavier Lesage Moretti confirmed that a recording of the meeting would be shared with the community. John Carlson offered to send out the recording and a code via email. They expressed their pleasure in the meeting and their willingness to connect again in the future (01:08:38).
