Top 5 Video Conferencing Practices
My top five Video Conferencing practices are, in no particular order:
1. Marratech-A top video conferencing provider that we use in our classroom. Desktop Video Conferencing uses a small camera and software to connect students from a variety of different locations to open the classroom to an almost unlimited number of students and therefore an almost unlimited number of ideas and opinions, which could be very useful in the research-based atmosphere of the college classroom. "Ease of use and cross-platform capabilities are making Marratech the web conferencing provider first choice in the Virtual Learning Environment enabling students of all levels and ages to benefit from distance learning projects such as the Chignecto Virtual High School, where the regional school board has used it to take specialist subjects to remote students in communities up to 300 kms apart." Marratech is easy to use, as anyone with a workable knowledge of the Internet could use the program. It is also cost effective, as students will have free access to the rooms through an Intranet or a web site.
2. Centra Live for Virtual Classes-Replicates the classroom environment for interactive learning through video, audio, graphics, etc. to meet the needs of a greater number of the 500 simultaneous learners that can interact with the program at one time. Students can be anywhere, they only need a browser to attend the virtual class, which can also be recorded and replayed for any students who may have missed class or for those who need extra help on difficult concepts. The structure of the classroom can be custom-designed based on the activities, meaning that classroom management is more easily adaptable in the Centra Live Virtual Class. There are non-verbal feedback options so that less outgoing students can participate in a more active fashion without the fear of verbal feedback. Students can also take the floor in the classroom, through presentations or in the open floor environment of the dynamic learning environment created by Centra Live.
3. Dissolving Boundaries-Dissolving Boundaries is "using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to facilitate cross-cultural educational links between schools in the North and South of Ireland." This may not seem like an applicable idea, but the issues between people in the North and South of Ireland are old and very deeply rooted. Overcoming these boundaries is the perfect idea for the educational structure. The goal is for students to work together on educational projects, build mutual understanding and friendships that help to work toward good citizenship, and to help students develop ICT skills through valuable educational activities. Students are linked through asynchronous computer conferencing and through videoconferencing. The need for the project teachers to collaborate on projects is essential, so that teachers across content areas and locations are jointly planning and coordinating lessons.
4. AT&T Education, Video Conferencing for Learning-This site points out the need for practice and planning in using Video Conferencing methods of instruction. Conferencing is an interactive medium, but because most people only have practice in watching video, teachers must make extended efforts to engage learners in interacting with the technology. The site looks at 6 different concerns related to Video Conferencing and teaching in general: motivating learners, setting expectations, engaging students with variety and interaction, reducing distractions during learning activities, encouraging dialog, and providing supporting materials. Under providing supporting materials, one of the suggestions is for teachers to develop an agenda so all participants in the activities will know what to expect. The program example is Professional Development Workshops from Liberty Science Center. Other examples include: distribute a student guide with clear learning objectives (MysteryQuest), allow space for note taking, include graphics, sequence all materials in the order presented during class, know the names of your learners so that you can call on any one of them at any time, and display a slate with simple bulleted instructions (Videoconference Presentation Tips).
5. Macromedia Breeze-This program "delivers rich web experiences for e-learning, professional development, and live online collaboration." The Breeze program contains many a wide variety of tools and resources including: Adobe Creative Suite 2, Adobe Photoshop CS2, Adobe InDesign CS2, Macromedia Breeze district and school editions, Adobe Acrobat, and Macromedia Captivate. These products are in the categories of creative tools, e-learning and communication, digital media, web design and development, digital video and audio, multimedia development, and other publishing products. The benefits of this variety of products include a greater range of motivation for all learners, more interest for all types of learners, and different levels of technology to fit the needs of the different levels of understanding that students will inevitably have. "Macromedia Breeze is a rich web communication system that enables your school or district to deliver powerful online communications that everyone can access instantly. The Breeze system is comprised of the core Breeze Communication Server and applications for real-time and on-demand communication."
1. Marratech-A top video conferencing provider that we use in our classroom. Desktop Video Conferencing uses a small camera and software to connect students from a variety of different locations to open the classroom to an almost unlimited number of students and therefore an almost unlimited number of ideas and opinions, which could be very useful in the research-based atmosphere of the college classroom. "Ease of use and cross-platform capabilities are making Marratech the web conferencing provider first choice in the Virtual Learning Environment enabling students of all levels and ages to benefit from distance learning projects such as the Chignecto Virtual High School, where the regional school board has used it to take specialist subjects to remote students in communities up to 300 kms apart." Marratech is easy to use, as anyone with a workable knowledge of the Internet could use the program. It is also cost effective, as students will have free access to the rooms through an Intranet or a web site.
2. Centra Live for Virtual Classes-Replicates the classroom environment for interactive learning through video, audio, graphics, etc. to meet the needs of a greater number of the 500 simultaneous learners that can interact with the program at one time. Students can be anywhere, they only need a browser to attend the virtual class, which can also be recorded and replayed for any students who may have missed class or for those who need extra help on difficult concepts. The structure of the classroom can be custom-designed based on the activities, meaning that classroom management is more easily adaptable in the Centra Live Virtual Class. There are non-verbal feedback options so that less outgoing students can participate in a more active fashion without the fear of verbal feedback. Students can also take the floor in the classroom, through presentations or in the open floor environment of the dynamic learning environment created by Centra Live.
3. Dissolving Boundaries-Dissolving Boundaries is "using Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to facilitate cross-cultural educational links between schools in the North and South of Ireland." This may not seem like an applicable idea, but the issues between people in the North and South of Ireland are old and very deeply rooted. Overcoming these boundaries is the perfect idea for the educational structure. The goal is for students to work together on educational projects, build mutual understanding and friendships that help to work toward good citizenship, and to help students develop ICT skills through valuable educational activities. Students are linked through asynchronous computer conferencing and through videoconferencing. The need for the project teachers to collaborate on projects is essential, so that teachers across content areas and locations are jointly planning and coordinating lessons.
4. AT&T Education, Video Conferencing for Learning-This site points out the need for practice and planning in using Video Conferencing methods of instruction. Conferencing is an interactive medium, but because most people only have practice in watching video, teachers must make extended efforts to engage learners in interacting with the technology. The site looks at 6 different concerns related to Video Conferencing and teaching in general: motivating learners, setting expectations, engaging students with variety and interaction, reducing distractions during learning activities, encouraging dialog, and providing supporting materials. Under providing supporting materials, one of the suggestions is for teachers to develop an agenda so all participants in the activities will know what to expect. The program example is Professional Development Workshops from Liberty Science Center. Other examples include: distribute a student guide with clear learning objectives (MysteryQuest), allow space for note taking, include graphics, sequence all materials in the order presented during class, know the names of your learners so that you can call on any one of them at any time, and display a slate with simple bulleted instructions (Videoconference Presentation Tips).
5. Macromedia Breeze-This program "delivers rich web experiences for e-learning, professional development, and live online collaboration." The Breeze program contains many a wide variety of tools and resources including: Adobe Creative Suite 2, Adobe Photoshop CS2, Adobe InDesign CS2, Macromedia Breeze district and school editions, Adobe Acrobat, and Macromedia Captivate. These products are in the categories of creative tools, e-learning and communication, digital media, web design and development, digital video and audio, multimedia development, and other publishing products. The benefits of this variety of products include a greater range of motivation for all learners, more interest for all types of learners, and different levels of technology to fit the needs of the different levels of understanding that students will inevitably have. "Macromedia Breeze is a rich web communication system that enables your school or district to deliver powerful online communications that everyone can access instantly. The Breeze system is comprised of the core Breeze Communication Server and applications for real-time and on-demand communication."
posted by Stephanie | 11:24 PM
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