- INTERACTIVE VIDEO CONFERENCING (IVC)
- Resources For Teachers
Why should I use video conferencing?
How do I get started?
What can I video conference about?
How can I pay for the programs?
What can I do to make the experience successful?
Getting down to details.
Why should I use video conferencing?
IVC is a tool to improve lessons by involving students and increasing their understanding.
Interactive videoconferencing is an in-depth experience
Interactive video conferencing can also provide professional develpment opportunties.
eField Trips are a way to visit sites and view the video they provide online. Many of the sites referenced under "What can I video conference about" also provide video. One primary advantage is that you are in control of when to view and to how much time to spend. The primary disadvantage is that the efield trip is not interactive.
Unfortunately, there is no standarization among the terms efield trip, virtual visit, video conference, etc. An Internet search will produce a mixture.
More information
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How do I get started?
Start with the simplest level
Plan ahead to meet classroom challenges
Find some content that may work for you.
More information
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What can I video conference about?
Videoconferencing redefines “classroom” and “teacher.”
It is a combination field trip and guest speaker.
Connect your classroom to the community, perhaps a local expert/business person
Join a listserv. (CILC is a good one).
Explore and use databases.
Collaborate with another class.
Peer-to-peer collaboration on a specific project
Consider mentoring a (younger) class.
Get pen pals and then “meet” them
Could be year-long
Might be able to meet in person at the end.
Go directly to a content provider. Choose a museum, government site, zoo, etc.
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How can I pay for the programs?
Some programs are free, thers may charge about $100
Other possible funding sources:
If not part of the school budget, can Title 1 help?
Will the PTA help?
Will a business partner provide support?
Some vendors (e.g., Polycom) provide grants
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What can I do to make the experience successful?
You must do the legwork up front or you will be disappointed. A preplanning guide may help.
Schedule as far ahead as possible.
Carefully decide what curriculum areas should be the focus.
When will you be teaching this lesson/unit?
Which parts of the lesson/unit could use some “zip?”
When will the room/equipment be available?
Of the content resources available, which can fit into your schedule?
You may need to get creative about when —lunch? In place of music/PE?
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Getting down to details
These resources will help you get through the process:
Checklist: to-do list from several months before through follow-up after the conference.
Information to give the provider: Help the provider tailor the session to the needs of your class.
Questions to ask the provider: What you can do on your end to make the session as successful as possible.
Video etiquette and rules of conduct: This environment has different requirements than the regular classroom.
During the videoconference.
Help the provider.
Remember, this is not a passive experience.
After the videoconference.
Use the postplanning guide.
The reflection process:
The students need to reflect on what they did and so do you.
Necessary for real learning
10 minutes of lesson needs 2 minutes of reflection
How can the students share/reflect on the experience?
You need to reflect to improve the next experience.
Did it impact knowledge?
Did it address identified skills?
Were the students engaged?
Were you able to guide the experience?
Did you provide “wrap around” activities?
How would you refine it?
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