Videoconferencing: Discover the Possibilities Janine Lim, PhD blog.janinelim.com Skype: outonalim Twitter: outonalim

A little about me… blog.janinelim.com

“Curriculum Videoconferencing”

If your principal or superintendent walked into your classroom during a videoconference, give five adjectives to describe what they would see happening.

Benefits of VC Access to experts and scientists (McCombs 2007) Real-world learning (WHMO, 2002) “Field trips” to otherwise inaccessible places (Greenberg, 2004) Instruction from another perspective (Gage, 2002) Address global issues (Morrison & Macquart, 2006)

CONTENT PROVIDERS zoos, museums, etc.

Cost Continuum free$500

Interaction Continuum view only hands-on passiveinteractive

Preparation Continuum none 6-week units

Finding VC Programs skypecontentproviders.wikispaces.com blog.janinelim.com – click Skype

Evaluating Providers Materials Cost Connection to curriculum Interactions Tailored to your needs Scheduling procedures

ASK PROGRAMS: AUTHOR, SPECIALIST, KNOWLEDGE authors and guest speakers

ASK Programs Author, Specialist, Knowledge askprocess.wikispaces.com Tuskegee Airman Alexander Jefferson

COLLABORATIONS teacher organized and “official projects”

Definitions Project/Event Centrally managed & coordinated Information about how to participate is provided, dates and times are set Monster Match Read Around the Planet MysteryQuest Collaboration Kid2Kid Begins with an idea from a teacher Requires finding your own partner Most classroom collaborations are point-to- point The teacher describes what they want their partner class to do Glaser, R. (February 1, 2008). Videoconference Glossary.

Compare Weather Source:

Share Cultures Source:

Share Cultures Source:

Learn About Snow Source:

Talk to an Olympian Source:

Collect Data Source:

Short Agendas Source:

Eco-Conversations Middle School Science International where possible Background science knowledge Analysis of scientific method's use Environmental perspectives Economic perspectives Local perspectives Recommended actions / solutions Carbon Dioxide Emissions Climate Change Warmer Oceans Environmental Clean-Up Fresh Water Water Bottles

My students absolutely LOVED IT. You know they really liked it when they are telling other teachers and students about it!!! Talking to another country is by far the best VC out there!! When you have students like those here in Dowagiac who have maybe been as far away as Detroit or Chicago (many not that far) they are fascinated with the accents, language usage…….very cool, I would talk to another country any time it was available! Eco-Conversations: Carbon Emissions

Halloween and Diwali Exchange with India

MysteryQuest Agenda Introductions Presentation of Clues Time to Research Clarifying Questions Sharing Guesses Revealing the Answer Sign-Off

Monster Mayhem by Whirlidurb

A few of my reluctant writers shocked me with the quality of their writing and enthusiasm for the project. I think having an audience that goes beyond the building’s walls helps too. It makes the project seem more important. “Gobbling Up Descriptive Writing”

TWICE, Michigan’s K12 VC K12 videoconferencing organization Volunteer board members, mostly from educational service agencies Read Around the Planet ASK Programs & Michigan Week Discounts with providers

Read Around the Planet

A directory based on Read Around the Planet A way to add VC friends & find new VC friends A way to create collaborations projects.twice.cc

Other Sites for Partner Classes Education.skype.com aroundtheworldwith80schools.net Global School Net Projects Registry:

What makes a quality videoconference project?

Designing Projects What is my required curriculum? What can my students learn from connecting to another class? How does it add value to the lesson? What benefit is gained in greater curriculum understanding because the students collaborated with another class?

Designing Projects ISTE NETS Standards Technology communications tools –Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences. –Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

Scheduling a Collaboration Advertise project (date, time, description) Select partner Test call Teachers talk to each other Project happens –or... rescheduling due to snow days, jury duty, substitute teacher, etc. etc.

20 Days to Better VC Projects Roxanne Glaser Whirlidurb

Challenges to Collaboration Snow Days / Rescheduling Blocked s Lack of Follow-Up Lack of School-Level VC Coordinators Project Definition

Resources for More Ideas Project templates booklet VC+Projects

VIDEOCONFERENCE TECHNOLOGY Skype, Polycom, LifeSize, Tandberg/Cisco

VC Continuum Skype, FaceTime, GoTo Meeting, Adobe Connect H323 Polycom m100 H323 Large Group or Room Systems Telepresence proprietaryH323 standard

Skype vs. VC Cart

Skype vs H.323 Access to Content Technical Quality Network Issues

Desktop VC vs. VC Cart: Cameras Skype / Desktop VC Unless connected to a projector; difficult for the whole class to see Web cam with no zoom or presets. Lower camera quality H.323 Cart Monitor/projector usually designed for the whole class to see Camera: pan, tilt, and zoom. 10 or more presets. Additional inputs: document camera.

Desktop vs. VC Cart: Microphones Desktop VC / Skype Mic is designed for one person at the computer. Cable length for microphone can be an issue. May not have echo cancellation. Need to be at the mic to talk. VC Cart Mic designed for whole group. 30 foot cord; easy use in room Built in echo cancellation Adults speak anywhere in room Students best at mic.

Desktop vs. VC Cart: Remote Control Desktop VC / Skype Can only control the VC from the computer. H.323 Cart An infrared remote control allows controlling the VC from anywhere in the room.

Skype vs. VC Cart Access right in your classroom all the time. Easy to just jump in and use it. Shared cart Scheduling may be an issue May only have access in certain buildings Cart may be hard to move around the school.

Skype vs. VC Cart Picture quality varies widely No multipoint Free plus $100-$200 webcam More likely to have a higher quality picture Can multipoint $2000-$10,000 depending on many extras you purchase

Skype vs. VC Cart Authors Guest speakers (easy to connect) Few content providers Thousands of teachers and projects on Skype in the Classroom International Authors Guest speakers (may have trouble if they don’t have access) Over 250 content providers (zoos etc.) Huge community of over 7000 educators in 30 countries

Troubleshooting & Tips Re-call Restart Reboot Chat only Skype Privacy ??!!?? Help!

Review & Reflect What curriculum can be enhanced by using VC? How will you organize your classroom? How will you involve all students? How will you deal with classroom management?

with thanks to Silvia Tolisano aka “ langwitches ”

Bibliography Cifuentes, L., & Murphy, K. L. (2000). Promoting multicultural understanding and positive self-concept through a distance learning community: cultural connections. Educational Technology Research and Development, 48(1), Gage, J., Nickson, M., & Beardon, T. (2002). Can videoconferencing contribute to teaching and learning? The experience of the Motivate project. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the British Educational Research Association. Greenberg, A. (2004). "Navigating the Sea of Research on Video Conferencing-Based Distance Education: A Platform for Understanding Research into the Technology’s Effectiveness and Value." Polycom Whitepaper. Martinez, M. D., & MacMillan, G. (1998). A Joint Distance Learning Course in American Government (No. ED428005). McCombs, G. B., Ufnar, J. A., & Shepherd, V. L. (2007). The Virtual Scientist: Connecting University Scientists to the K-12 Classroom through Videoconferencing. Advances in Physiology Education, 31(1), Morrison, J., & Macquart, D. (2006). World’s youth connect through Global Nomads Group: An interview with GNG’s David Macquart. Innovate, 2(4). Owston, R. (2007). Contextual factors that sustain innovative pedagogical practice using technology: an international study. Journal of Educational Change, 8(1), Sweeney, M. A. (2007). The use of videoconferencing techniques which support constructivism in K-12 education. Dissertation Abstracts International. Warschauer, M. (1997).Computer-mediated collaborative learning: Theory and practice. Modern Language Journal, 81(3), p Also at Yost, N. (2001). Lights, Camera, Action: Videoconferencing in Kindergarten. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education International Conference. WMHO. (2002). Videoconferencing exposes students to new worlds. T.H.E. (Technological Horizons in Education) Journal, 29(8).

Questions? Janine Lim, Blog: blog.janinelim.com Twitter: outonalim Wiki: collaborativeVCs.pbwiki.com TWICE: CAPspace: projects.twice.cc