Integrating Technology / Information Overload

I was wondering what people think about the Integrating Technology classes currently available.  Now that they have gone from interviews with individuals to now covering services useful for teachers in the classroom, I suggest people spend more time looking into these services.  In one word, it's overwhelming.

Too many classes, one right after the other (no breather time to absorb what's new and has been introduced).

That's why I am posting here about these classes. I have a few comments and suggestions.  Please add yours.

1. Perhaps screenshots could be posted in the content library for us to get a taste of the service before it starts.  Videos don't seem to load, and I found on a few sites they are linked directly to Facebook making it impossible to connect to for those in China.  However, when you go to the site during the class, you are given a different address which allows you to directly connect.

2. The day before an event, email the students so they know how to sign up for the service.  This way, if and when the representatives of the service want to test out their service with students, there isn't a long wait for everyone to get registered. Those that come late or later could then be instructed in private how to register and there could be a second chance later on to test out the features.

3. Longer classes.  The presenters know their service, so when they explain examples and what you can do, it's not immediately understood the usefulness of the product/service.  If we were able to try out the service with some activities already planned out, then we could get a hands on experience which is more direct than just passively sitting watching a presentation.

4. Stop the information overload.  By making classes longer, you also achieve another thing.  You aren't bombarded with consecutive classes one right after the other, each hour showing different products. Instead maybe you show 2 a day, one in the morning and one in the evening.  Even just 1 would be good enough.  This gives us a day to test out and practice with that day's website.  Each service or product I see being promoted has dozens of other sites it relates to.

If timing is an issue, the presentation could have 30-45 minutes where people are in the passive mode and then the next 30-45 minutes there is no need for a facilitator.  Only the people promoting their product would stay.  They would choose how long to extend the class instead of all ending on the hour or earlier.

People can then feel free to test something out, take notes, and then return to the class with comments and questions after trying out the activities.

I have noticed in my classes, I often see the same students who entered early in the class leave and re-enter later in the class.  Sometimes they are trying to do some exercise I have given them, or there might be something else the student needs to tend to for 20 minutes.  It would be a shame to close the door on these people who might be potential customers later on.

5. One last one.  If students go to a class, the presenter can have developers of the service also testing it by making changes based on the feedback they receive during class.

Right now, I have several questions I would like to ask because I have tried out each service mentioned in class, researched it online, compared it to other "competing" services which do similar tasks, and I have had time to compare them.  I am now a valuable resource to the developers.  This is like a beta group who tests out a program before it is released to the public.

Yes, it is possible to do all that now, but if it is anything like a test, it is important to get results soon after testing is done so the developers can better understand how the services helps or hinders people who use it.