Technical Training and Best Teaching Practices

Today’s AgendaTechnical TrainingStart-Up ProceduresThe 3 ModesVideo Conferencing ToolsContent SharingDocument CameraShut-Down Procedures

10/15 minute break

Best Presentation TipsBroadcast EtiquetteRemote StudentsPresentation MaterialsPedagogical Thoughts

Start-Up InformationAMX Touch Panel

- Touch anywhere on the screen to activate the system.

- The following screen will appear.

Start-Up ContinuedPresentation 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 ContinuedOnce you have chosen a mode:

- The projector will warm up.

- This message will be displayed.

- The screen will automatically lower.

Start-Up ContinuedThe 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.

Start-Up ContinuedLighting & Blinds

Activity #1Introductions:

When it is your turn to share …

- Please press the green button closest to you

(You will need to hold this button down while you are speaking.)

- Please wait until the camera has focused.

- Please tell us your name & your PSU position.

Presentation ModeYou will first need to

choose a media type.

If one is not chosen:- the system default to Room PC- the projector will eventually shut down

The controls for each are the same in all modes.

Switching ModesTo 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.

Video Conferencing ModesThree Main Areas to Consider

1. Dialing/Connecting to Remote Sites

2. Camera Views & Controls

3. Sound Systems & Controls

Dialing Procedures

1.Go to the Dial Menu at the top of the screen. Select Manual Dial.

2.Enter an IP address or bridge number in the black box, using the numbers on the AMX Touch Panel (2222 is the bridge used for classes). Press the green call button.

3.When dialing a bridge session, you may need to enter a conference ID followed by a #. ( 1234#)

Using the Directory – 2 sites only1. Use up down arrows

to find the correct location

2. You can enter the first few letters of the location and then hit the down arrow to search).

3. Touch the site you want to call.

4. Press the green “Call” button to dial that location.

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

What is a bridge?The bridge is a physical appliance. It

handles many conferences at once. This is why you need to enter a unique ID if you aren’t

scheduled to be in a conference – you don’t want to end up in someone else’s conference or class!

It takes the video feed from several locations and generates the multiple boxes that you see.

You can “reserve” a bridge for a specific time and location on the TNS website. (http://tns.its.psu.edu/videoConferencing/videoBridge.cfm)

You shouldn’t need to do this for a normal classAny staff member can do this. Must be done 48 hours ahead of time

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 Sources1. – Presentor’s Wireless Microphone

2. – Students’ Push-to-Talk

Buttons

3. – CPU, DVD, VHS

Extra batteriesBe aware of

placement

Must hold to speakTwo second delay

Data shares to follow

Volume ControlNote 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.

Activity #2Proceed to the following url:

https://sites.google.com/site/room119rjpsu/click here

Click on “AMX Touch Panel”

Choose to “View” the attachment

Complete the activity.

Four Types of Content Sharing

Room PC

Laptop

Document Camera

DVD/VHS

Note: You may only share one of each type of content:

“Video Share” or “Data Share”

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 EditingExperiments/Lab

WorkJigsaw Notes/Topics3-D objects/action

DVD/VHS

Note: Is it better to show video from a computer or DVD player?

Shut DownChoose the “System

Off/Back” button

Select “Yes”

Wait for the system to shut down

Troubleshooting TipsIf 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

Activity #3Work with the four other people at your

table.

Using the following chart, come up with two or more ways to promote a type of interaction through a video conferencing course.

Write down your group generated ideas.

We will each present these ideas using the document camera.

10/15 Minute Break

Best Presentation Practices

In the VLN Classroom …No food or drinkUse the push-to-talk buttons while

speakingBe patient with the VLN technologyAdvise of any audio/video problems

VLN Best PracticesStudents identify yourselfLook into the cameraRemind students to act as

if being seen and heardPlan for push-to-talk delay

Presentation TipsFour Categories:

1. Awareness of Physical Appearance

2. Awareness of Broadcast Etiquette

3. Awareness of Remote Sites

4. Awareness of Presentation Materials

Physical Appearance

Avoid busy or patterned clothingAvoid colors that “bleed” (white, red)Avoid noisy jewelryWear solid pastel colors (light blue, pink)Consider needing to attach a clip-on mic

(collar, pocket or button seam)

Broadcast Etiquette“You are always live”Direct questions and be patient in waiting for

response (particularly when timing counts)Avoid side bar conversations (they can be

heard)Speak clearly but never shoutAllow speaker to fully finish before

respondingConsider using “show of hands” for feedback

Consider the Remote SitesGet to know your remote students (class

roster)– advice on students that feel isolatedMaintain an awareness of the remote site –

body language, signals, etc.Announce actions to the remote sites as

much as possible – changing sound levels, camera views, or content sharing

Consider a Variety of Teaching Techniques

Do Not Lecture for Extended Time Interact with remote sites every 5 - 8

minutesCall on by Name or Group (at both

locations) Use Hands-on ActivitiesInclude FeedbackVary Delivery Styles

Verify access to libraries e-reserve materials

List technology in materials listUpload documents for student accessCheck that distant sites have all materials

available prior to class

Consider the following for materials’ design …

Course Preparation

VisualsFollow Aspect Ratio

Always this! Never this!Allow ¾ inch or 10% around the

outside of your slide as a “safe area”

Use blue or green paper for document camera slides

TextUse readable font styles like:

ArialTahoma

Don’t use detailed font styles like:Times New Roman

Broadway BT

Avoid using ALL CAPITAL LETTERS

Use readable size font

This is 60 points.This is 48 points.This is 36 points.This is 32 points.

This is 28 points.This is 20 points.

This is 16 points.This is 12 points.

This is 10 points.

Color ConceptsText and background must contrast

Avoid contrasting colors and spectral neighbors

RED YELLOW

Light on Dark

Dark on Light

Charts May Replace Words

0

20

40

60

80

1st QTR 2nd QTR 3rd QTR 4th QTR

Annual Report

East

Central

West

Beware of Coloring/ Font Size

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

1st QTR 2nd QTR 3rd QTR 4th QTR

Annual Report

East

Central

West

One Main IdeaAvoid

overcrowding

Focus the audience

Rule of Seven7 words per line

5 lines per slide

KISS!

What NOT to doWhat NOT to do

Leadership in Education

.

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Fostering the Three Types of Interaction

(Some Research Findings)

Interactions with Content

Interactions with Instructors

Interactions with Classmates

Provided by Karen Swan, Kent State UniversityWisconsin Distance Teaching & Learning Conference, August 2003

So what is different?What adjustments to we need to make for . . . AppearanceTimingRemote learners--engagementTechnology interface

Contacts

Instructional Design:Joe Scott – jis16@psu.edu

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Technical Support:Alice Shapiro – ars301@psu.edu