This semester I participated with a few of my students in a video conference, and it was great.
It was a thirty minute conference at a Math Fair to Liberty Science Center in New Jersery. Most of the students never visited the site, so they were very excited. The students were able to do hands on activities as well as ask the instructors specific questions. The students were very engrossed and motivated. Not once did I have to say pay attention or stop that talking, so you know the instructors had them hooked.
What is video conferencing? It is conducting a conference between two or more people at difference sites using a computer network to provide the picture of the participants and the sound.
Video Conferencing has opened the world up to students right from their classroom seats.
If one is interested in setting up a conference the only materials needed would be a camera, and not an expensive one, and a IP connection. Wow that is it!
Teachers, students of all ages and parents will benefit in many ways utilizing this tool in the classroom.
For example: tutorials can take place.
short/long distance learning projects.
opportunities to provide services to homebound students due to illness or suspension.
connection to parents for conferences, special projects or homework help.
to shadow a professional for the day.
to bring students to other parts of the world and to bring the world to them.
Video Conferencing is an excellent tool to use it helps all participants whether k-6, 6-8 or 9-12 students with presentation skills, oral skills and listening skills. Its definitely a motivational goal for learning.
For further information check out: Desktop Video Conferencing: Novelty or Legitimate Teaching Tool?
www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr120.shtml
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4 comments:
Hello Lena! Once again, I always thought that video conferencing was so complicated and that I could never figure something that this out but you make it sound so easy. After reading your blog, I cannot wait to try it out for myself. It does have alot of benefits. It would be great if we could all use this technology in our libraries and share ideas with each other and our students.
Excellent and resourceful web site you provided on this topic! The variety of ways in which video conferencing is being applied seems to be boundless. What I found of note is how teaching through this technology can appeal to different learning styles. Also, I agree with the article about the need to plan for video conferencing experiences if it is to be an effective learning tool. The downside is that sufficient bandwith must be present in order for it to function properly. To ask all staff to withhold using telephone lines until the video conference has ended is not realistic. However, it has creative implications for the library/educational setting. Perhaps, emerging technologies will remedy issues concerning bandwith.
Hi,
I like this technology very much! This sounds like something that I would be able to use in my high school. High school students need all the motivation they can get and they are very interested in any technology that allows them to communicate with others.
I think that I like this technology much more than VoIP. Unlike with VoIP, students can see the person and environement they're interacting with, and no extra special equipment is needed.
I also find it more conducive to a wider range of learning possibilites. Students can do much more than talk to a person--they can observe demonstrations, animal life, etc., etc.,
Of course, like everything else the Internet connections at the school is a factor, but all things considered I feel I have a good shot at using this technology in my school. Thanks for the great article!
Great introduction to video conferencing!
~Katie~
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