VLN Training

•Multi-pronged approach• In room training•Online tool practice•Documentation• In class support

Show of Hands

Introductions“Three-quarters of college graduates have

moved at least once, compared with just over half of Americans with no more than a high school diploma.” (Cohn and Morin 2008)

“jobs are typically one of the key magnets that induce people to move.” (Cohn and Morin 2008)

http://pewsocialtrends.org/2008/12/17/who-moves-who-stays-put-wheres-home/

PSU Outreach VLN Technical Training and

Best Teaching Practices

Technical Training Agenda

Technical Training

Start-Up Procedures

Video Conferencing Tools

Content Sharing

Document Camera

Shut-Down Procedures

Start-Up ContinuedLighting & Blinds

Start-Up Information

AMX Touch Panel

- Touch anywhere on the screen to activate the system.

- The following screen will appear.

Start-Up Continued Presentation Mode:

- All participants present in room.

- No video conferencing element.

Receive Site Video Conference Mode:

- Podium Mat is deactivated.

- Student camera is set as default.

Broadcast Site Video Conference Mode:

- Podium Mat is active.

- Podium camera is set as default.

Start-Up Continued

Once you have chosen a mode:

The projector will warm up.

This message will be displayed.

The screen will automatically lower.

Start-Up Continued The projector screen can still

be raised & lowered manually.

There is a picture mute button in the program – displayed on the lower right hand side of the screen.

Video Conferencing Modes

Three Main Areas to Consider

1. Dialing/Connecting to Remote Sites

2. Camera Views & Controls

3. Sound Systems & Controls

Switching Modes To Switch from Presentation to Video Conferencing:

1st – Select the “System Off/Back”

button – located in bottom

left corner of screen.

2nd – Select the new mode that you would like to use.

To Switch Between Receive & Broadcast Modes

- Simply push the “Receive Site” or “Broadcast Site”

button under the main control tab.

Dialing ProceduresGo to the Dial Menu at the top of the screen.

Enter an IP address or bridge number in the black box, using the numbers on the AMX Touch Panel.

If using the directory, use the Polycom control arrows & enter buttons to navigate, while looking at the monitor:

- Use directional keys to find the correct location.

- Hit the “Enter” button to dial that location.

When dialing a bridge session, you will need to enter a password – surrounded by #s. (ex. #1234#)

To disconnect, press the red “Hang Up” button.

Cameras

Podium Mat

Instructor on Mat

Note: Any weight will activate the mat.

(Instructor, Chair, or Briefcase)

Instructor not on Mat

Camera Control

The following controls are under the “Camera Control” tab.

3 Sound Sources

1. – Presenter's Wireless

Microphone

2. – Students’ Push-to-Talk

Buttons

3. – PC, DVD, VHS

Extra batteries

Be aware of placement

Must hold to speak

Two second delay

Data shares to follow

Volume Control

Note 1:

Muting the volume from this area will only mute the local end. The far side will still hear.

Note 2:

This means that the speakers are on.

Four Types of Content Sharing

Room PC

Laptop

Document Camera

DVD/VHS

Connecting a LaptopConnect VGA cable into laptop

(may need adaptor for Macs).

Connect VGA cable into the

external computer connection

on the right side of podium.

Connect audio cable to headphone jack on laptop.

Connect audio cable to small hole on right side of podium.Note: If the desktop doesn’t appear on the screen, push Fn+F8 for PC & Fn+F7 for Mac.

Document Camera

Activities:

Presentations

(Instructor or Student)

Peer Editing

Experiments/Lab Work

Jigsaw Notes/Topics

3-D objects/action

DVD/VHS

Podium PracticePlease step up to

the Podium for a brief exercise

Shut Down

Choose the “System Off/Back” button

Select “Yes”

Wait for the system to shut down

Troubleshooting Tips If you experience trouble with content sharing, try

sharing another source first & then switch back. Also try having the remote site share first & then switch back.

If you experience trouble receiving audio or video from the remote site, try hanging up & calling again.

When in doubt, restart the system by going to the “System Off/Back” button – but be aware that this will take several minutes of class time & should be used as a last resort.

SupportProjector bulbs burn out, dry erase markers… dry out. Chalk breaks, hard drives fail, VHS tapes unravel,

PowerPoint images fail to display, web sites go down, Thunderstorms cause power outages, professors get flat tires, IT staff get flat tires…

Photocredit: Mailer_diablo wikimedia commons

Get it in one takeShow up on time, know your lines, and hit your mark

Show up early

It takes time to

•Load Video Clips

•Transfer Files to a Podium Computer

•Log on to Computers

•Connect Laptops

•Load websites

Know your Lines

It’s a little harder to “wing it” in a VLN course.

•Need to “translate” items used in other courses

•3+ hours of class

•Some items may need to be placed online or printed ahead of time

•Course “flow” harder to maintain

Hit your Mark

Know where you need to be to show up on camera

•Two pre-sets for instructor, on mat, off mat.

•Use them both, but don’t jump back and forth between them constantly.

•Use the image on the monitor at the back of the room as a guide.

•Mentally draw lines for yourself: ”if I lean this way too far, I’ll be off camera at the podium.”

Photo CC Chris Campbell (http://www.flickr.com/people/cgc/)

Copyright

•Short video clips from larger works are usually ok

•Materials intended for educational use are NOT covered by the teach act (students are supposed to buy their own textbooks)

•Take copyright into consideration especially if you plan to record class sessions