Please share your responses to the readings here. What did you like about the article? How does it add to your learning? What ideas do you have from reading the article? How can you implement what you learned?
Be sure to tell me your first name so I can give you credit. Tell us which article you read as well.
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John Pickar
I read “What research says about video conferencing in teaching and learning”, which was an analysis of research summarizing key findings and suggesting further reading.
There are three types of video conferencing systems, desktop units, rollabouts, and room systems. There three ways of making connections, over the internet using analogue or digital telephone lines, on a network within an institution and dedicated cables or radio waves. Image and sound quality suffers if speed becomes slow digital connections (ISDN) digital telephone connections are the most commonly used connection for teaching purposes.
Research indicates that video conferencing has the following benefits.
General benefits
-linking tutors and students
-input from experts or practitioners
-develop communication and social skills through collaboration
-increased participation and motivation
Benefits for students
-collaboration with students from different cultures
-opportunities for language students to interact with native speakers
-alternative outlet for expression for those with poor literacy skills
Benefits for teachers
-raised academic aspirations
-foster strong relationships through collaboration
-increased course audience
-clips from sessions can be used to evaluate or modify anti social behavior
Benefits in initial teacher training
-students can observe teaching without being in classroom
-students may use video clips of classroom experiences share ideas and resources
-students who are practice teaching feel a safety and more able to communicate with supervisors when using video conferencing
Benefits for students with special education needs
-support can be provided for severely disabled without spending lots of time traveling.
-students overcome feelings of isolation and develop social skills by associating with peers who have similar needs
-video conferencing context acts as a focus for some students allowing them to organize the way they think and act
-students discover if they shout out or talk over another they can’t be understood and they alter their behavior to take turns
Factors for effective use
-reliable equipment good sound quality fast connection
-rules governing interaction should be established before session starts
-an appropriate teaching style is needed to suit medium provide explicit opportunities for discussion and addressing all audiences
I am considering using video conferencing to reinforce social skills and rational behavior training. These are program concepts I teach daily to address social-emotional deficits the population I work with commonly has. Their behaviors are severe enough that they all have been removed from society.
John E Pickar
I read Videoconferencing in Education. I think this article restates in a very brief manner what is needed for a successful VC. The first is good equipment and teacher understanding of how the equipment works and how to trouble shoot problems. The next needed component is a well planned program with the students having practice with the equipment before the VC. In addition to that every successful VC needs teachers and districts to reach out and collaborate with other teachers. Other teachers make us stretch our own thinking and think about different perspectives.
VC’s also allow kids to bring their global world closer to home. It puts a face and a personality on a part of the world, career, or global problem. Kids can see how they can work together with peers across the world through technology and “thinking outside the box”
Brooke Marceau
Article “Lights, Camera, Action: Videoconferencing in Kindergarten”
I didn’t get much out of this article as I don’t teach kindergarten and don’t really know a lot about how their day is structured. In this article, the teacher used an exchange to discuss the concept of weather. She said that children have a difficult time understanding concepts of time and distance.
I liked how the students were learning to not only report on weather changes, but also to graph them. Students did daily graphing of a question and had the other cite give them data too. I was impressed that her students could operate arrow buttons on the computer when using the web cam to locate different states to observe changes in the climate over the course of a day. I also liked how the children had jobs in the dramatic play area of re-enacting the weather report by operating the camera, operating the computer program on the computer, and being the weather man reporting on the screen.
My third article, “Interactive Videoconferencing: Planning the seeds for Global Learning and Caring” discusses the human element that videoconferencing adds to education. I find this a refreshing concept. Over the past few years I constantly hear the phrase “The internet/technology is taking away from the human experience.” I have heard this since I was a child (even before the net), i.e. “kids today sit in front of the TV and do not go outside to play with their friends”….or…”video games are a mindless activity….no social interaction…bad for everyone”…..bla, bla, bla.
I agree that technology, on some level has removed the social and human aspects that can be seen as detrimental. However, Videoconferencing does the opposite. It utilizes technology to increase human interaction – interaction that before was not possible, and is shown in this artricle to be used in a caring and productive manner.
The article explains an activity of American school children assisting South African orphans, among other projects that promote the educational experience of the American students, and the students abroad. Education, empathy, compassion, awareness of world issues,cultural tolerance, etc. are valuable outcomes of these interactive videoconferencing.
A few years ago, Mmy coworker and Idesigned a fund raising project at the Juvenile Center for people suffering in India after the Tsunami that devastated a huge portion of south Asia. The project was a success, as our students cooked (themselves) lunches and sold them to various schools in the area. The money raised was given to the Red Cross. If Videoconferencing had been an option back then, I think it would have really added the “human” element to this venture, and would have made it much more meaningful to our students.
Perhaps in the near future, a similar project may take place at our school. The use of the videoconferencing would be an invaluable addition to this.
Mark – I absolutely agree with you!! Videoconferencing is really a communication technology – and connects us with others. Your project with India sounds amazing – and it would have been great to connect with India then also! I actually have a contact in India for VC that we’ve connected to once or twice a year – so email me if you want me to dig that out and share!
Janine
Article: “Yabbies On-Line: East Meets West and Other Videoconferencing Adventures”
This article was from 2000, so I felt like it had a lot of information that a lot of people that have used VC would be familiar with. Not by any means that I am an expert. What I found interesting is the information about the international videoconferencing. I have never heard of I*EARN network. I don’t know if that is something still used. It would be so awesome to do a VC internationally at some point. I don’t know what the cost would be. An international VC would take a lot of preparation I would think. Language of course would need to be considered. On another note, it was interesting in the article that someone had been emailing another person for 12 months and thought that other person was a “she” and the person was really a “he”. Article 3, Tammy Artis
Tammy – yes – iEarn still exists – and really is THE source for international connections. You can explore more here: http://www.iearn.org/
Janine
Article “Lights, Camera, Action: Videoconferencing in Kindergarten” This is a great article because we really want to start using this kind of technoloy as early as possible with our students. Vidoeconferencing has a lot of fun, interactive programs that are great for kindergarteners. The students can get used to the format, how to talk on camera, and presentations. The programs are shorter for the younger age students, which is appropriate. This is a great way to take younger students on more safe “field trips” through out the school year to gain for background knowledge. Wonderful for early elementary teachers to use. Article #4, Tammy Artis
I read “Learning from a Distance Brings it Home” by Barbara Bray. She states how videoconferencing allows learning anytime from anywhere. She divides distance learning into four main categories.
1. Credited coursework
2. Virtual field trips
3. Interactive one-time videoconferences
4. collaborative on-going projects
Credited coursework talked about how teachers can earn credits on line for their masters or credentials.
Virtual field trips allows school on a tight budget feel that they are on a real field trip. I recently found out the discovery school offers virtual field trips.
Interactive one-time videoconferences is not only a time saver, but can be very cost-effective. Teachers can connect with each other for free.
collaborative on-going projects is something I would like to do. I can remember in 5th grade I had a penpal for Muskegon, MI. I still remember her name. I think how cool with it have been if we could have connected face to face. I would like to set a pen pal program with Debbie. We could exchange letters and also connect face to face.
Article 3
I hope you can actually collect info and make your pen pals program work with Debbie for next year! It’s such a simple yet powerful learning activity!
Barb Jewell Article #3 “Good Practice in the Use of Video Conferencing”:
The article was a good “checklist” of things to remember when videoconferencing. The main point of the article was that planning is the key to a successful video conference. Sites need to agree on the purpose of the video conference. From this week’s speakers I can see how that would be important to remember, since it is easy to get off task when speaking with interesting people with whom we don’t normally have the opportunity to interact.
Other points the article made in regard to students was to notify the parents of the type of videoconference that is taking place so there is opportunity for involvement through discussion at home. Furthermore, students need to be prepped adequately prior to the videoconference so they feel comfortable and confident in their roles. Along with other technical matters, the article pointed out the importance of checking the volume and the view on the camera for colors, patterns, etc.
Another important point the article made was to treat the camera as another pupil, so equal time is given to both the local and remote sites. What stands out to me in many of these articles is the importance of etiquette when videoconferencing: saying thank you when you are done speaking and at the end of the videoconference, sending a note or having a follow-up of some kind with the remote location, having consideration for people who feel uncomfortable in front of the camera.
Again, the article was a good overall checklist of things to keep in mind before, during, and after the videoconference.
Interested in meeting authors using distance learning? Well, just “ASK”
This was a great article to read as a follow up to learning more about the ASK program. It was interesting to hear how the program was developed and how rapidly it’s grown over such a short period of time. I liked how it spelled out what the ASK program stands for A-Authors, S-Specialist and K-Knowledge. The article went on to explain how the program is implemented with a kit (provided by the RESA.) The kit typically includes the book, directions on preparing the students and support materials too!) I like how involved the students become with the book, especially through the reflection journal writing. The questions shared together add meaningful discussions and valuable life lessons for everyone involved.
This morning we learned how to find the ASK programs the Berrien RESA offers to our school districts. There are several quality ASK programs offered and for FREE! I am definately going to sign up for several ASK Programs to share with my first graders next year! I think they will really enjoy the stories, improve their writing skills and gain an exciting appreciation for literature as they learn to become readers and writers themselves!
Yay! I’m so glad you got hooked on the ASK programs!!
I read “Lights, Camera, Action: Videoconferencing in Kindergarten” by Nancy Yost. I agree videoconferencing is an excellent technology experience for Kindergarten students. These students are not afraid to experiment with technology. Unfortunately, the teachers are the ones that are “afraid” of the technology that is available today.
There are some really neat videoconferences geared for these students. Just think if they started speaking in front of the camera at this age, what will they be able to do in middle school, and even high school?
Article 4 Josephine
Jeanna Younger article #4 “Learning from a Distance Brings it Home”
This particular article began with a statement given by a Kenosha, Wisconsin student who commented on the weather temperature and stated that if they didn’t go then, they wouldn’t be going all winter (to school). This makes you think about how the weather effects our schools and the fact that again we are limited due to the weather, I am of course speaking of blizzards and snow days. Videoconferencing shines like a beacon because it doesn’t matter necessarily the weather (unless it effects your internet), time, or even the place. This strikes me just like the idea of how our walls are being crumbled in our schools and making the boundaries limitless. What an awesome fact!
The article was subdivided into four main categories:
1. Credited coursework
*This section discussed how teachers could take online courses and how it could be a great solution to conflicting schedules… the ease of doing it when you can mentality, or when it works for you. This is what I need as a mom, full time teacher, wife, and taxi driver for my two daughters to the ball field. This is about the only way I can or could possibly complete a masters. As the article states, there are no excuses for teachers or students to NOT participate in online courses.
2. Virtual Field Trips
*Again, our state like many other states are in budget crisis and in order for students to do any form of a field trip is becoming unimaginable UNLESS we are able to go on one by videoconferencing. Examples of different websites and and providers who offer different videoconferencing projects were included. Two of the ones mentioned are Interactive Learning and Collaboration and TWICE(Two Way Interactive Connections in Education). These providers will benefit me because they will provide visits to zoos and museums. In my Kindergarten class we teach the students Zoophonics and take them at the end of the year to the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, but wouldn’t be really cool to send them to another zoo that is much larger than this one???? I think so!
3. Interactive Videoconferences
*The main gist of this section is that it is cost effective and a time saver. No hours of traveling by bus required..YEAH! Again, our state is suffering so much right now and this is a great way to provide an awesome learning experience without costing the district a ton of money.
4. Collaborative Projects
*Many projects were mentioned in this part. All these projects have the same goal in mind: connecting people who would never be given the opportunity in any other way to meet one another. This reminds me of the videoconference we did with Yellow Bow. I would never had the opportunity to meet someone like him, an expert in the Native American Culture, if I had not participated in this videoconference and gain a different perspective from his point of view.
Overall, good article and it again made me stop and think about how useful and limitless this could be for all teachers at any level. Pretty cool thought!
My third article, “Broadening the Vision and Eliminating the Barriers,” seems to present more evidence of the importance of using video conferencing. This article, like the others I have read this week, continues to show the positive impact on students who are exposed to video conference learning. It could be something as simple as students in large districts connecting with other students within the same district or students listening in on a story being read aloud from another location, but in either instance learning is taking place. This learning is exciting, engaging and unique to the students which often motivates them to participate and ultimately retain more information. Through video conferencing all of this can occur without the students ever leaving their classroom!! Who would have ever imagined even a few years ago all of the opportunities we have available to us today–it is sometimes overwhelming!!
Being able to go on a field trip no matter what the weather, what an awesome concept! I love the thought of not having to get 24 to 26 parent permission slips, parent volunteers to go on the trip and deciding if we are financially able to afford a trip. The article I read is called “Learning from a Distance Brings it Home”. Credited Coursework is another option I will keep in mind and share with my colleagues. Some of the ideas given were, course schedule with assignments for each class, links to reading assignments and research,and especially a collection of files and evidence of work as portfolios, which helps if you ever need to apply at a different school or even if you want to make presentations to parents, board members, or other school staff. Interactive Videoconferences is a cost-effective and time-saving program that allows teachers and students to meet, collaborate, and interact with eachother. I am very excited to work more with videoconferencing, using more of the programs offered as a videoconference than I have in the past. I am very excited but nervous at the same time to use videoconferencing more in my curriculum.
Jeanna Younger Article #3 “Interactive Videoconferencing Planting the Seeds for Global Learning and Caring”
The walls of our classrooms are tumbling down and that is OKAY! We are no longer limited to the four walls of our classroom due to the breaking down of walls and barriers.
In this aricle, the part I took away and keep thinking about is the video conference with the HIV postitive woman in South Africa. This was intended to be a health class discussion on AIDS but it EXPLODED into the students being so touched and having a desire to help the orphaned children in South Africa. This is the impact these can have on students who just don’t get it (meaning they don’t think outside of their world and that this doesn’t effect me so I don’t really care) until… you have a person standing there giving you a personal account of what happens to them or to these orphans. This created empathy and compassion for orphans they do not even know. Textbooks CANNOT do this but videoconferences can:)
John Griffin Article “Learning from a Distance Brings it Home”
Videoconferencing and other online learning projects does allow learning at anytime and anywhere. This article was an eye opener to all of the different technologies that we as teachers have as resources and what the students have also to learn from. Is the future of all classrooms going to include a laptop? I don’t know the answer to that question, but by the way things are going we are not far from it. Maybe in the future we don’t even need teachers just search engines and websites. “LOL” Barbara Bray makes some points in her article as for the future we all must just wait and see.