Flashmeeting for Easy Videoconferencing

Esther HardmanWeald of Kent Grammar School

www.crackthecode-eh.blogspot.comwww.wok20mfl.blogspot.com

Flashmeeting for Videoconferencing

• Welcome & introductions • Rationale for VC in MFL• Getting started• Key FM tools • Strategic planning for smooth running• Tried and Tested activities• Behaviour management • Why Flashmeeting?• Troubleshooting• Videoconference practical.

Rationale – MFL Videoconferening

• Using target language for a real purpose• Students contribute to international.

networks.• Students practise presentation skills• Provides A4L opportunities via peer

assessment.• Reinforces established links abroad• Addresses National Curriculum Statutory

and MFL requirements (pre Gove).

Update:

• In its most recent report on languages, Ofsted noted that there was still a need to develop a clear framework for ‘spontaneous’ use of the target language, as speaking remains an area in which many of our pupils struggle.

Network for languages 20 Feb 2012

Getting Started with Flashmeeting

Creating an Account

Useful Links

• Flashmeeting for Schools– http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/

• Flashmeeting Quick Start guide– http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/quickstart.html

http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/

Create an Account

Request a “Booker” Account

Or email: admin@e2bn.org

Getting Started with Flashmeeting

Booking a Meeting

http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/

Booking a Meeting

Booking a Meeting

Presentation Style

Booking Confirmation and Link

Key Flashmeeting Tools

• Broadcast• Chat• Preferences• Vote• Emoticons• URL

Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5

Sample Timeline of Videoconferencing Project

Initial internal meeting to decide schools, classes involved, project focus and check ICT requirements

Meeting with primary school to introduce project, identify staff to be involved, discuss schedule and plan activities to be included

Primary to send target vocabulary to be used to secondary school

Secondary students to work on creating and practicing activities using vocabulary provided

All resources completed. Dates and times confirmed for actual conferences.

Survey or feedback/evaluations completed

Videoconferences take place

Trial software via virtual meeting between primary and secondary school

Most recent Flashmeeting videoconference took 3 weeks.

Tried and Tested Activities

• Role play & Bingo (KS2/4)

• Q&A on a theme (Euro Week of Langs)

• Exchange partner pre trip Q&A

• Open discussion / Distance learning

Behaviour Management, Logistics & Practicalities

• Practicalities:– How many webcams available? (max 25)

• Classroom logistics:– Position of students “on camera”.– How many students “on camera”? – Reducing on screen “traffic”.– Avoiding “sea sickness”.

• Behaviour management:– What is the rest of the class doing?

Classroom Logistics

Whole Class Activity?

The benefits of “Stop Broadcasting”

Flashmeeting Replay

• Need a “Booker” account

• Post videoconference peer assessment

• Evidence of learning for Open Evenings

• Replay “Edit” tool

Accessing “My Events” for Replay

Accessing “My Events” for Replay

Accessing “My Events” for Replay

My Events

Troubleshooting

ISSUE:• Flashmeeting doesn’t recognise your

webcamPOTENTIAL REASON:• Could be locally based issues i.e. your log

in might not have necessary permissionsSOLUTION• Get IT support to create videoconference

specific log in with necessary permissions.

Student Feedback

I found the video conference really interesting because we got to hear real French people speak to us and hear their accents!

I really enjoyed it because I have never spoken or

heard a French student before and also I found it was a really fun activity in class and a good way to

learn.

It was good practice to speak loudly and clearly because this skill will probably be used in your job when you

are older.

The video conference was a great opportunity for us to practise public speaking

I have now learnt how to speak clearly and slowly so people can understand

you and also how to keep eye contact with that

person through the web cam.

http://wok20mfl.blogspot.com/2010/10/european-week-of-languages.html

Further Resources

• Useful FM project write ups & resources: – Esther Hardman’s Blog: Crack the Code– Weald of Kent Grammar School MFL Blog– Kent MFL Videoconferencing Projects

• This presentation will be added to:

– www.crackthecode-eh.blogspot.com

Presenters: Esther Hardman

• Teacher of MFL, Weald of Kent Grammar School• Curriculum Development Coordinator for MFL (ICT)

• Contact:– @estherhardman – www.crackthecode-eh.blogspot.com– e.hardman@wealdofkent.kent.sch.uk– www.wok20mfl.blogspot.com