Reflections & Considerations Prior to a Video ConferenceAfter my first few encounters with video conferencing, I found it necessary to sit down and reflect on my experience thus far. The technologies that have made video conferencing possible were originially developed about a decade ago and day by day this new medium of communication continues to grow, redefine and refine itself. Many of the capabilities and opportunities that video conferencing can offer are only now surfacing. Our charge as educators is to learn as much as we can (and are comfortable with) about this new technology and identify ways to integrate video conferencing into our classrooms while striving to create, maintain and sustain authentic teaching and learning communities. One of Project MiddleDATA's goals is to connect rural K-12 teachers and their classes with university instructors and professors and their pre-service teachers through video conferencing for the purpose of expanding the knowledge and understanding on the part of both parties. To accomplish this goal, I would strongly suggest participants engage in reflection or conversations about the following prior to arranging a video conference: - What do you want to accomplish in the video conference? Most importantly, after reflecting on these questions, be sure to make your expectations, goals, and any other concerns fully known to your graduate student, technical assistance person, and the representative of the other party that will be participating in the video conference. The effective video conference is integrated seemlessly into the everyday routine of a classroom; meets the goals, expectations, and objectives of BOTH parties; held in a space that is conducive to conferencing with the provided equipment; and conducted in a manner that is respectful of the students primary reason for being present: learning. It goes without saying that when attempting to integrate a new technology into the classroom that there will be technological bugs and quirks that will need to be clarified and tweaked. The primary role of this website is to provide a resource for the partners involved in these video conferences. However, it by no means is the only resource available. We (the research team) are committed to delivering as much assistance in any way possible so that these conferences can be considered, thought through, set up, conducted, and processed. Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with, either virtually on this website or face-to-face. Happy conferencing! --mjr |
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http://ced.ncsu.edu/ltrc/studio/workshops/isight/reflections.html |