Marco Polo: Review
Kelly Bremner, Associate Professor of Theatre, Emory & Henry College
OVERVIEW
Marco Polo is a video messaging app its creators describe as a “video walkie talkie.” It is best used to create short video messages (as opposed to edited videos) in a small group or between 2 people. Many students already use this app in the social media worlds. The app is a free download, although there are upgrades available that have an associated cost.
KEY ELEMENTS
- Short, quick and easy to use
- Makes use of technology many students already use
- Integrates the student’s phones into your classroom in a way that is productive
REVIEW
Marco Polo is a short video messaging app that is popular world wide. It allows for user to create small groups and swap casual unedited video messages easily with their phone. It has become particularly popular with staying connected with international friends as the quick video messages will mostly be viewed asynchronously which allows for personal connection without the need to mitigate time zones.
The app. Is free and easy to use, although it does have an upgrade to Polo Plus which has some added features, such as the ability to double the speed of the video, take photos, write notes, forward messages etc..
Drawbacks to the app. Include the requirement of having a smart phone, and it is another log in and download. The videos are not designed to be edited, and thus once you start talking the message is already being sent to those you are contacting. This is to mimic the “walkie talkie” functionality the designers are going for, but it can be frustrating for students who want to be very careful with what they send. I might also suggest this is also a strength of the technology. It is can help students toss ideas out into space without the need to perfect those ideas.
APPLICATION OF TECHNOLOGY
Classroom use of Marco Polo is extensive, although its best application is its ability to create a sense of community within your classroom. Early in the class it can be great to use to initially connect your students socially. Maybe make a Marco Polo group with your entire classroom and ask them to share the answer to an ice breaker question such as: Do you prefer chocolate or cheese? Dogs or cats? How did you get your name? or something more related to class such as- Why are you taking this class? Or what do you hope to get out of this class? You will quickly find your students look forward to getting and sharing these videos. As your course progresses, Marco Polo can be a great alternative to a discussion board with small groups responding to discussion prompts or continuing classroom conversations. As an instructor you can include yourself in their Marco Polo groups if you want to watch their videos and assess in any way, or choose to let them connect without you.
In a recent course I taught, I was able to actually connect my students in small groups to students studying the same topic in the UK. In collaboration with a colleague of mine at a British University, we gave our students a Digital Storytelling project to share with students at the opposite school. In order to increase engagement with the larger project we used daily Marco Polo prompts to help the students get to know one another personally to encourage greater depth in their Digital Story Telling work (the Cookies vs. Biscuits debate was particularly engaging).
Marco Polo could be used in a similar way outside the classroom in any desired curated group (teams, cohorts, etc.)
CONNECTED RESOURCES TO EXPLORE
