VIDEOCONFERENCING IN THE CLASSROOM: Michelle Fontaine Craig Bullett

Topics Technical Aspects of VC What is VC? Planning the tech stuff What should be in your VC room? Tech jargon Curriculum Aspects of VC Why Videoconference? What’s Out There? Planning How To’s Making Connections Technical aspects -

Technical Talk: Jargon Tandberg, Polycom, Sony, etc (codec), H323, SIP point to point, Multipoint, bridge, pixels, pixilation IP, ISDN Firewalls Bandwidth

Demystifying Videoconferencing You Tube clip titled “Learning how to use telephones” go VC

VC……What is it? Computer Projector Camera Microphone Sound system (speakers) Videoconferencing Device (Tandberg and Polycom) The Internet Skype is NOT compatible

Planning the Technical Details 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). H323 – standard that allows different systems to communicate. Codec – (coder, decoder) compresses the audio and video signals and sends them out over the internet Bridge – multipoint control unit, connects the sites so that they can all communicate at the same time Pixels – picture element, a single point in a graphic image IP – Internet Based, can be dialed directly ISDN – digital phone line, needs a bridge to connect to IP, a number has to be dialed Gateway – allows several networks to work together Firewall – network security Bandwidth - capacity of the network, high speed is necessary

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

Trust what you already know! Three (or more) ways to do everything on a computer. 1.Control ‘c’ and control ‘v’. 2. Right click mouse, left click copy. Right click mouse, left click paste. 3. Top menu ‘edit’, click copy. Top menu ‘edit’, click paste. --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Call from Xpanel. 2. Call from remote control. 3. Have remote location call you. James Lyng example with no PC!

But seriously… real tech talk THE BRIDGE Every CLC VC has capability to handle 4 connections (internal bridge). This takes coordination (1-2, 1-3, 1-4…NOT 1-2,2-3,3-4) The bridge is needed for more than 4 calls (and for all ISDN calls). ISDN: integrated services digital network used for voice, video, and data transmission by telephone lines (much like dial-up internet) IP: Internet Protocol (much like dsl/high speed).

Presentation OR Videoconference? Using remote control is first choice. Q??? I press presentation on remote and my presentation doesn’t appear. Why? A!!! System is in another mode (DVD, VHS, Blueray, PC) 2 options when using the projector in the VC room. Presentation Mode (only to use system for internal presentation) Videoconference Mode (to VC and have option to share screen with remote sites (ppt, web, video).

XPanel

XPanel

Visit the website www.learnquebec.ca/clc

Why Videoconference? Greater teaching possibilities Bring the outside world into the classroom Real world communication skills Technically qualified students Innovative teaching practices Unlimited resources

Benefits for Students Increased motivation and participation Improved communication skills Self awareness World view from the classroom Cooperative learning situations Cultural diversion Opportunity to have discussions with experts

What’s Out There? Virtual Field Trips - Content Providers - CILC Meet the Expert - VROC Collaborations - Twice Professional Development Opportunities Virtual Field Trip: 1. content matches curriculum outcomes 2. Content provider should be experienced and 3. there should be pre and post activities 4. you must be well prepared in advance 5. be aware of length 6. How often do you meet 7. Cost 8. If the connection doesn’t work, what happens? 9. Testing should be done before to make sure there is a good connection Expert’s: www.VROC.ca, www.clickconnect.ca

Planning How To’s VC is a tool Students must be part of the planning Interactivity Students must be prepared for using vc Curriculum fit Introductory activities Icebreakers Evaluation - rubrics Interactivity

Planning Checklists Etiquette

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

Content Provider Curriculum fit What do you need to know about a content provider in order to be intentional about your decision to participate in a videoconference? What should a content provider know about your students…your objectives…your concerns? 7/6/2018

Before the program… Vocabulary development Activate prior knowledge Reading selection Discussion Writing prompt 7/6/2018

Collaboration What is it? Examples - TWICE, Global Classroom Who would be potentials for collaborative partnerships? What personal attributes are useful for a successful collaboration? What opportunities are there in videoconferencing? What are the challenges you anticipate? TWICE go Global Classroom go 7/6/2018

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