From the Teacher Perspective

August 7, 2007

I am sitting in a presentation by Kay Baker, a first grade teacher from Clifton ISD tell about what she has done with video conferencing. She presented “Video Conferencing…The Wave of the Future!”

International Connection with Hong Kong

Remember the time zones
Search www.cilc.org
Share expectations and communicate with other teacher
Use Skype to chat if possible. International phone calls can be expensive.
Communicate with the partner about cultural differences so that you will not offend the partner school.

Other tips from Kay:

She told about how interesting it was to meet with other teachers in other states in Mini-Jazz.
Get the right equipment. Now she uses desktop video conferencing with her son on a ship.
Open area to present and it is quiet. Put a sign on the door.
Have a camera person to take pictures and a tech person.
Many librarians (media specialists) have been trained to assist.
Be aware that when you start videoconferencing, you will get more opportunities.
Make it very visual and include a map.
Do research at home because at school most sites that are helpful are blocked.
Call your partner teacher and talk with them about the connection.
Do one conference for the video conference and then another one for the parents. If the parents want to view, do it again after the video conference.
Evaluation: what worked? what can be improved?

Okay, I love hearing what teachers do with this…Kay is very creative teacher and did amazing things with her teachers. Now, my task for all you coordinators out there…when have you really listened to the teachers?

Category Posted in 123VC: JAZZ, VC Community