Bridging the Bridging the Gap with Gap with Distance Distance LearningLearning

Northwest ISD

Why Video Conferencing?

Increased access to educational resources Flexibility for the learner Equity in opportunities for both teachers

and students Valuable interchange with the “outside

world” Virtual schools – fastest growing

educational movement of the early 21st century

Add Value to Your Classroom

Enables students to access otherwise unavailable classes

Broadens students’ view of the world Increases student motivation for learning Enriches the existing curriculum Provides just-in-time learning

environments

Northwest ISD Events

Staff Development Distance Graduate Classes Virtual Field Trips

Camp Cooke - Taji, IraqLive From the Heart

Expert PresentersForensic ScientistCook’s Hospital

Amazing Adaptations – San Diego Zoo Bison: Back from the Brink - FWNRC The Night Shift – Lee Richardson Zoo Visit with authors - Jim Stovall & Ben

Mikaelsen Stories and the American West – Amon

Carter Museum Bass Hall Performances All About Matter - FWMSH Tuxedo Junction: Penguins – Indy Zoo

Northwest ISD Events

Virtual Field Trips

Faster and Cheaper Take your students places they

couldn’t normally go: into the tank of a famous aquarium across a remote field to a protected salt

marsh into the control room of a NASA reflector

telescope into the operating room to watch a live

open heart surgery

Interactive Student Projects

Extend cooperative learning experiences Allows students to work with others from

different cultures and backgrounds around the globe

Use of laptop, document camera, and live camera to communicate and share projects

Interactive Groups

Student Council and other leadership programs

Debate Teams Theatre Groups Musical Performances Habitat for Humanity Art Studies Math Team Competitions

Staff Development

Attend meetings/PLCs Attend staff development Collaborate with other teachers Continue formal education Observe other

classrooms/students

Pre-Planning Considerations

Curriculum Integration Equipment/Facilities Support Providers Costs Scheduling Time Zone Differences Materials

Preparing for a VC Class

Review the class syllabus, making sure it meets students’ needs

Check class times (time zones) and student availability

Confirm costs for the class Find out what materials are required and

supplied by provider Allot a period of time to familiarize

students with the technology, possibly during the test call with the provider

Preparing for a VC Class

Prepare yourself to use and support the VC technology

Check into the reliability of the remote teacher and program

Consider students who are unable to participate due to permissions for name/photo projection

Confirm a test connection has/will be made prior to the actual VC

Always have a backup plan in place

Event Assessments

Observations collected during the VC to determine interactivity

Journal writing Interactive student surveys Sharing of survey results Class presentations Post-activities or projects

Instructional Strategies

The greater the number of students involved in a VC, the less opportunity they have to interact with each other

Ask students to write down questions ahead of time

Model interactive behavior Give students time to adjust Mute the mic when not speaking Call on students to answer questions

Presentation Strategies

When speaking, project your voice. Make an effort to enunciate clearly. Maintain consistent and equal eye

contact with both groups. Look into the camera’s eye, not the screen.

Be mindful of your body language.

Participant Etiquette

No eating, drinking or chewing gum. Do not hog the microphone. Be aware that you are seen and heard

at all times. Raise your hand to speak. Allow sufficient time for audio and visual

to travel – several seconds at least. Allow wait time in addition to lag time.

I’m Ready To Begin…

Now What?

NISD’s Instructional Technology has developed a procedure by which all

video conferences must be scheduled.

NISD Video Conference Procedures

Equipment - The DL Cart

Each campus, including the administration building, is equipped with the following: Laptop Document camera Tandberg Unit – camera and brains Remote Control All Cords Needed

Connecting the DL Cart

Network Cable Power Cord Audio Plugs Auxiliary Cable

Room must have a network drop, power outlet, speakers, projector, and screen.

Do not disconnect anything from the top or inside of the cart.

References

Cole, C., Ray K., Zanetis, J. (2004) Videoconferencing for K-12 Classrooms. ISTE. Eugene, OR

www.cilc.org

www.twice.cc

www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/vidconf.html

http://vickiwiki.pbwiki.com/NWISD%20Video%20Conference%20Academy

Bridging the Bridging the Gap with Gap with Distance Distance LearningLearning

Northwest ISD