Videoconferencing in the

ClassroomBy: Kathy Krupa

What’s it all about?

This presentation is designed to help you learn about and explore video conferencing applications in the classroom.

What is videoconferencing?

Two way voice and video connection

Done over IP (Internet) lines

Need a codec Polycom

Need a bridge for multi-point calls (MAGPI)

Remember this?

Why Videoconference? Target 21st Century Teaching and Learning

Project based approach to learning (constructivist pedagogy)

Cover material in a student-driven, collaborative, multisensory approach

Increased student achievement Raises the bar for performance – Students don’t

want to look bad in front of their peers Students experience a more contextual understanding

of the content when activities are used to prepare students for the Interactive Videoconference (IVC)

Improve speaking/listening skills Improve presentation skills Give students opportunities to connect with the world

outside the classroom An increase in confidence and self-esteem Increased motivation for students –gives them an

“authentic” audience

How to Begin

Begin with a curricular goal Evaluate available resources Review existing projects Contact the remote site project

coordinator/teacher Plan the project or your

participation in it Implement the plan Evaluate the plan for the future

Curricular Goals – Questions to ask yourself

What do you want your students and those they are linking with to learn?

How will videoconferencing enhance their learning and understanding?

What will the classroom preparation be? During the actual conference, what will

the students involved be doing? After the conference, what follow up

activities will you do with students to reinforce their understanding?

Videoconferencing Applications for Schools

Link up with sister schools/classroom project for collaboration/team teaching/penpals

Observation of classroom lectures and activities

Sharing of extra-curricular activities (art, karate, concerts, sports, cultural, language)

Real-time video tutoring for students off-site or homebound

Career counseling for remote students

Debate/Argument

Read to each other

Performances

Collaborative writing

Sharing cultures/traditions

Interviewing

Sharing of research/science projects

Older students teaching younger students

Geography guessing game

Sharing of local history

Quiz shows

Ideas for Activities During a Videoconference…

Curriculum Linking-Jigsawing of content – (This is what 2nd grade decided to do.)

Provide access to a guest speaker/expert Evaluate at a distance Engage students in small group discussion or activities Give and/or receive a demonstration Give a tutorial Share ideas and materials Deliver a lecture Problem Solving Reading/Reader’s Theater Rap/song Play Performance Poetry

Videoconference Preparation

Prepare your lesson plan and agenda for session Identify learning objectives and essential questions

Determine how many sessions you will have Determine number of sites Who will host session? Who will be the

moderator? Determine what technology resources your will

need and how to get them Coordinate schedules – time of conferences

If working on a global level, ensure time zones are not prohibitive

Fill out videoconference request – send to CIT.

Assign project tasks to students Scripts Materials

Test/Trial Runs Keep your first session

to a short orientation Test your

equipment/connection Give students time to get

used to the technology and seeing themselves on the monitor

Emphasize practical classroom management such as waiting to ask/answer questions

Evaluate session and iron out any audio or practical issues that may arise

Use of a Wiki for Videoconference

Collaboration Sample – State of Matter -

http://4statesofmatter.wikispaces.com/

How to Prepare Students for Videoconferencing

Introduce students to the technology and address videoconferencing etiquette.

Remain in constant contact with the facilitator(s) of the videoconference prior to the actual conference to ensure everything will run smoothly.

Highlight to your students the role they play in creating a rewarding interaction.

Prepare questions!!!  Student preparation is essential for a successful videoconference.

Student Preparation (Cont.)

Facilitate during the videoconference by asking questions, asking for clarification, assessing understanding, etc.

Hold a post-videoconference meeting with students to speak to items learned and discussed during the videoconference.

Evaluate the videoconference.

Feedback is crucial to all parties to ensure the best experience possible.

Our Evaluation What worked?

Curricular objectives achieved Students engaged/motivated to learn Connection worked and was clear, voices were clear Wiki for collaboration

What didn’t work? Muting of camera (capability of camera) – our audience

received too much feedback/noise on their end What would we do differently next time?

Four screens showing at once – the presentation of experiments would have been clearer if the person speaking is shown larger than the other screens

Shorten videoconference time

Equipment Required

PolyCom Video Conference System – available in all elementary computer labs.

Hallowell’s equipment is on a cart so it can be moved right into your classroom

Resources

MAGPI (http://www.magpi.net/) “MAGPI delivers regional infrastructure in a

cost-effective manner and promotes applications for the region's research and education communities through high performance network technology.”

Great source of applications and programs for K-12 community (Math and Science examples: http://www.magpi.net/programs/k12mathscience.html)

Professional Development for Teachers: http://www.magpi.net/vctraining.html

Resources (Cont.)

CILC (Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration) - http://www.cilc.org/

Click Join Now, It’s Free Go to Communication Preferences

Resources (Cont.)

Twice maintains a page with many links to projects http://www.twice.cc/projects.html

GLOBAL Leap (UK) http://www.global-leap.com/

iEarn – http://www.iearn.org/projects/index.html

Interactive Videoconferencing K-12 Lessons that Work (ISTE Publication 2009)

Examples of Point to Point Projects

MysteryQuest USA – http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl/MQUSA/

MysteryQuest World Geography – http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dl/MysteryQuest/inc

Read Across America – http://www.twice/cc/read/index.html

Debate – http://www.magnoliaisd.org/depart/dl/debate.pdf

MultiPoint Projects

Hallowell/Berks IU/Central York/Pocono Mountain – 4StatesofMatter – see VIDEO

Megaconference Junior http://megaconferencejr.org/

Citations

http://www.magpi.net/ http://www.cilc.org/ Interactive Videoconferencing,

2009, ISTE Publications Schools.clipart.com