Bridging the Gap with Distance Learning Northwest ISD

Why Video Conferencing? Increased access to educational resources Flexibility for the learner Equity in opportunities for both teachers and students Valuable interchange with the “outside world” Virtual schools – fastest growing educational movement of the early 21 st century

Add Value to Your Classroom Enables students to access otherwise unavailable classes Broadens students’ view of the world Increases student motivation for learning Enriches the existing curriculum Provides just-in-time learning environments

Northwest ISD Events Staff Development Distance Graduate Classes Virtual Field Trips Camp Cooke - Taji, Iraq Live From the Heart Expert Presenters Forensic Scientist Cook’s Hospital

Amazing Adaptations – San Diego Zoo Bison: Back from the Brink - FWNRC The Night Shift – Lee Richardson Zoo Visit with authors - Jim Stovall & Ben Mikaelsen Stories and the American West – Amon Carter Museum Bass Hall Performances All About Matter - FWMSH Tuxedo Junction: Penguins – Indy Zoo Northwest ISD Events

Virtual Field Trips Faster and Cheaper Take your students places they couldn’t normally go: into the tank of a famous aquarium across a remote field to a protected salt marsh into the control room of a NASA reflector telescope into the operating room to watch a live open heart surgery

Interactive Student Projects Extend cooperative learning experiences Allows students to work with others from different cultures and backgrounds around the globe Use of laptop, document camera, and live camera to communicate and share projects

Interactive Groups Student Council and other leadership programs Debate Teams Theatre Groups Musical Performances Habitat for Humanity Art Studies Math Team Competitions

Staff Development Attend meetings/PLCs Attend staff development Collaborate with other teachers Continue formal education Observe other classrooms/students

Pre-Planning Considerations Curriculum Integration Equipment/Facilities Support Providers Costs Scheduling Time Zone Differences Materials

Preparing for a VC Class Review the class syllabus, making sure it meets students’ needs Check class times (time zones) and student availability Confirm costs for the class Find out what materials are required and supplied by provider Allot a period of time to familiarize students with the technology, possibly during the test call with the provider

Preparing for a VC Class Prepare yourself to use and support the VC technology Check into the reliability of the remote teacher and program Consider students who are unable to participate due to permissions for name/photo projection Confirm a test connection has/will be made prior to the actual VC Always have a backup plan in place

Event Assessments Observations collected during the VC to determine interactivity Observations collected during the VC to determine interactivity Journal writing Interactive student surveys Sharing of survey results Class presentations Post-activities or projects

Instructional Strategies The greater the number of students involved in a VC, the less opportunity they have to interact with each other Ask students to write down questions ahead of time Model interactive behavior Give students time to adjust Mute the mic when not speaking Call on students to answer questions

Presentation Strategies When speaking, project your voice. Make an effort to enunciate clearly. Maintain consistent and equal eye contact with both groups. Look into the camera’s eye, not the screen. Be mindful of your body language.

Participant Etiquette No eating, drinking or chewing gum. Do not hog the microphone. Be aware that you are seen and heard at all times. Raise your hand to speak. Allow sufficient time for audio and visual to travel – several seconds at least. Allow wait time in addition to lag time.

I’m Ready To Begin… Now What? NISD’s Instructional Technology has developed a procedure by which all video conferences must be scheduled. NISD Video Conference Procedures

Equipment - The DL Cart Each campus, including the administration building, is equipped with the following: Laptop Document camera Tandberg Unit – camera and brains Remote Control All Cords Needed

Connecting the DL Cart Network Cable Power Cord Audio Plugs Auxiliary Cable Room must have a network drop, power outlet, speakers, projector, and screen. Do not disconnect anything from the top or inside of the cart.

References Cole, C., Ray K., Zanetis, J. (2004) Videoconferencing for K-12 Classrooms. ISTE. Eugene, OR erence%20Academy

Bridging the Gap with Distance Learning Northwest ISD