Journal 7: Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing:
Taken from Wikipedia
A videoconference or video conference (also known as a videoteleconference) is a set of interactive telecommunication technologies which allow two or more locations to interact via two-way video and audio transmissions simultaneously. It has also been called 'visual collaboration' and is a type of groupware.

From Classroom 2.0, I thought the information about the videoconferencing tool would be interesting to post to my blog. I really enjoyed learning how to incorporate virtual field trips in Journal 1, so adding more information on how to videoconferencing would be a helpful post to my blog.

Assessing Student Engagement While Videoconferencing

I thought this would be interesting to read about, although I have never performed a videoconference, I would think most of the teachers attention would be toward making sure the videoconference is going well. It would be very disruptive to have to stop the conference while needing to discipline a student. I learned that one teacher did encounter problems while videoconferencing in class. Although his was not a discipline problem, he does state a few issues to be aware of before videoconferencing in class. One aspect to consider is time. This particular teacher was videoconferencing to the Congo in Africa, the time that might have worked for the people he wanted to share with his class did not coincide with regular class time. Also make sure all students have a reason to pay attention to the videoconference. For example from the prepared questions to ask the person you are talking with, have a worksheet where the students need to fill in comments. The biggest issue is to double check the equipment that is being used. It would be a let down to the students if on the day of the videoconferencing the technology was not working.

Who's IVCing and Why?
This was an interesting post for those teachers who are ready to take the jump into videoconferencing. The teacher that posted this discussion wanted to find out what other teachers are doing to videoconference. Scott Merrick has been just about around the world with many of his students. One interesting virtual field trip via videoconferencing was with dog mushers in Alaska. Other teachers responded and have virtually taken their Arizona class room to Oahu, Hawaii to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. She also has been able to set up high school students with medical examiners so the student can actually watch and ask questions about autopsies. This is a good discussion to get ideas as well as speak with other teachers that have already videoconferenced with their students. Knowing what has worked for teachers would be a good way to start in one's own classroom.