Michelle Fontaine Craig Bullett VIDEOCONFERENCING IN THE CLASSROOM:

Topics Technical Aspects of VC Demystifying Videoconferencing What is VC? Planning for your event What should be in your VC room? Troubleshooting Your VC Room Responsibilities Curriculum Aspects of VC Why Videoconference? What’s Out There? Planning How To’s Making Connections

Demystifying Videoconferencing Learning how to use telephones gogo

VC……What is it? Computer Projector Camera Microphone Sound system (speakers) Videoconferencing Device (Tandberg) The Internet Your VC can handle up to 4 simultaneous ‘IP’ calls! Bridge The bridge can handle more than 4 simultaneous calls ‘IP and ISDN’! *Skype and other such “free” internet applications are NOT compatible!*

Planning for your event Obtain IP address of ALL participants and confirm that they have yours. Obtain cell numbers to reach remote site. Test (or confirm) VC connection before the event. Provide/obtain media in advance (Powerpoint, video, url). * Some of this may be covered from the teacher Checklist*

In your VC room…. Paper copy of CLC official contact list (can find on website) Telephone directory with cell numbers (School Board Tech support) LEARN/CLC VC User Manual Remote Control Manual Equipment Specification Sheet (Brand of projector, bulb type, etc.) Extra batteries for remote control

Troubleshooting Coordinate the call sequence. Problems? Hang up and call back. Talk to your remote sites (What can you see? What can you hear?) Most Common problem (gremlins)… Shut everything down. Take a deep breath. Turn everything back on. 2 nd most common problem… VC is in ‘presentation’ mode 3 rd most common problem… No audio. (The sound button has been clicked ‘off’ in your room)

Coordinator VC Responsibilities Manage the VC Room. Operate Computer/ Projector/ Camera/ Microphone/Sound system/ Tandberg Videoconferencing Device. Troubleshoot problems with CLC Network (PRT and/or CBCI). Keep a record of all VC equipment (Brand, model numbers, etc). Keep an updated contact list for School Board IT Department, Internet provider, Maintenance people, etc. Client (Teacher) VC Responsibilities Collaborate with Coordinator to organize the VC event. Manage their participants (students) in the VC room. School (School Board) VC Responsibilities Provide Internet access for best VC quality. Maintain all equipment in the VC room. (ie: repairs)

Training for your new VC …Coming soon

Please tell your teachers! Try the VC with a content provider this year, and we’ll pay for it! FINE PRINT: Teachers are reimbursed if they complete an evaluation of the VC experience. These get compiled in a CLC VC repository which will be available to all teachers. Content Provider Collaboration Cost $$$Free (usually) Easier for the TeacherA little more work Class resources (worksheets)Make your own Content tailored to your classYou need to tailor it Animator interacts with studentsYou do the animation Great for VC newbiesMay need experience

What’s Out There? Virtual Field Trips - Content Providers - CILC Collaborations - Twice Meet the Expert -VROC Professional Development Opportunities

Making Connections Virtual Field Trips CILC gogo Canadian Space Agency gogo Biosphere gogo Example Royal Botanical Gardens go Example Tyrell Museum gogo Sheffield gogo VROC (Virtual Researchers On Call) gogo Collaborations TWICE

Planning Checklists Etiquette

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