From a teacher’s perspective…

The Cookie Cutter Approach to Videoconferencing in Education…

Outline

1. Benefits and Challenges to videoconferencing.

2. How to prepare before the first day.– planning before videoconferencing– tips for being on camera– suggestions for dealing with paperwork– classroom management strategies

Part 1- Benefits and Challenges

Benefits1. With VC, we can reach more students with good instruction.2. Teachers teaching in their area of specialty.3. Easier to access powerful guest speakers.

- Ralph Klein centennial celebration- WWI veteran - Canadian Space Agency - Dr. Dave Williams

4. Available technology (SMART boards, document cameras, DVD players, etc., are powerful teaching tools.

5. Wow factor helps keep students (and teachers) interested (at least at first).

6. Positive test results so far – Students scored above average on the 2006 Social Studies Achievement scores.

Drawbacks• 1. Technology not available to everyone.• 2. Great amount of co-ordination and

planning required from administrators.• Bell times? • Common PD days? field trip times? Reporting

Periods?• Teacher timetabling, money issues

• 3. Lots of extra work for a teacher!!!!• Have you considered the time it takes to learn the technology, change delivery strategies, extra PT interviews, backup planning, paperwork hassles, discipline, extra marking load, visitors to the classroom, and time away from the classroom?

Is it worth it so far?

Part 2 – How to prepare to be a VC teacher

Planning before Videoconferencing• Be as prepared as you can with course

materials.• Talk to (or visit) people who are using VC.• Be somewhat familiar with the technology

you have to use.• Check out some of the literature online.

• www.vcalberta.ca

• www.videoconference.com

Tips for being on Camera

• Don’t be camera shy! The camera adds 10 pounds to everyone.

• Act normal! • Avoid pure white clothing and clothing with

wild patterns. Solid colors work best.• If you are a pacer, try to avoid moving

around too much while talking – remain on camera as a large part of the picture if you are instructing.

Suggestions for dealing with paperwork

• Have someone on the other end be responsible for helping deal with paperwork.

• Avoid using mail services for transferring assignments whenever possible. Explore e-mail, “live marking”, or other means.

• If your assignments are digital, send them that way.• Let students know from the beginning that late

assignments are not an option in this format. • A common student-accessible site for posting

assignments, readings, and comments is a good idea.• Be prepared for hassles. BEG FOR EXTRA PREP

TIME!

Classroom Management Strategies

• Many of the strategies that good teachers use in “normal” classrooms work in VC.

• Visit your “remote” class(es). Keep in contact with parents, especially at the beginning of the year.

• Spend time at the beginning of the year going over expectations, differences, contingencies, etc.

• Have emergency plans that students can access if the technology fails.

• Let your students do some of the work for you! (cameras, login/logout)

• Don’t be afraid to make mistakes!• Have Fun! This may be as close to stardom as many of

us will get!

Thank you for your time!

• Video and Questions