Heather Lin Language – Chinese (Canadian Lead Primary School Ballarat) Started video conferencing term , to deliver Chinese lessons to a small school with 10 kids (grade 3 to 6)

My experiences with video conference technology

The tools available … Polycom 820 units in Vic schools MSLYNC – Every DEECD teacher in Vic & others by LYNC attendee invitation

Polycom to Polycom  Powerful camera control tools  Fast connection  Flexible for connecting other devices such as IPADS

Tools I use the most for lesson  MS Power point  MS Word  IPADS apps: Explain Everything Note Pages Doodle Buddy

Polycom to Polycom  Not flexible for location  Not a tablet  Cannot transfer resources (file)

Microsoft Lync to Polycom  No specific location required, only needs internet access  Does NOT allow display of visual material  Does NOT allow display of computer or ipad screen  Requires high involvement by the classroom teacher

Strategies

Strategies - Avoid need for high teacher interaction  Prefer multiple choice to free writing  Use ipad apps to teach hand writing (self correcting)  Simple activity structure (explanations can be surprisingly hard)

Strategies -Set clear rules for communication  Divide responsibility for the class On-site teacher manages class behaviour Agree on-site teacher’s involvement in the language component (remember - not their area)  Use visual and spoken cues You don’t have “presence” to control the class

Strategies - Homework  Difficult to run reinforcement activities via video conference  “Homework” could also be in class after the video conference

Preparation

Preparation - Timing control  Things take longer in video conferencing (especially behaviour management)  Coordination of activities and documents (and technology) can cause delays

Preparation - Documents  Provide students with a list of the key words, grammar principles etc (note taking is a lost art)  Too many documents are a distraction (for students and teachers)  Clear labelling for documents – I suggest numbering  Tell the on-site teacher how documents are to be used in the class

Preparation - Technical control  Have all resources open on the computer and tested before starting class  Provide a copy of teaching content for both ends (plan B)  Be prepared to run a lesson without any particular part of the technology working