Teaching with Video Conferencing

With today's technology, teaching with video conferencing is a simply conversion. Video conferencing technology makes the experience virtually seamless. With just a few considerations, anyone can have a successful, rewarding experience teaching a class with video conferencing.

One of the most important things to remember when teaching with any type of video medium is considering how to keep the students at the distant end engaged. One of the first ways to involve and engage students at the distant end is through eye contact.

Eye contact

It is tempting to look at the monitors. However, when you are talking to the students, look into the camera lens instead of at the monitors. You do not have to look at the camera all of the time. However, as in a normal classroom, you should share your eye contact with all the students. Looking into the camera as an additional person insures you include the remote site students.

To do this, you must appropriately frame your camera shot. You should adjust a camera in a mid-close shot so that students can see your face. This allows you to make eye contact, which is crucial to the student's experience.

Call on the remote site just as you would call on same-site students. Call on students by name instead of just by site, i.e. "Mary, how did you answer number 12", instead of "Some one at the other site, what did you get for #12."

Incorporate a variety of activities like small group work and discussions to facilitate participation and active learning. This variety also allows you to get to know individual students and accommodates different learning styles.

The following checklist can be used as a simple guide to determine readiness for a video conferencing class.

ITV class preparation checklist

Prior to Class

Delivering and collecting materials

What is the plan for delivering and collecting materials at the distant end?

Do you have a contact or assistant at the distant end?

Do you have student's rosters for local and distant end?

Check all student materials for class preparation

- Books, handouts, quizzes, articles

- Are they posted to blackboard or delivered to distant site?

Student activities

Are there obstacles for managing the distant site?

Do you have planned interactions for the distant end?

Lesson objectives prepared?

Are your visuals prepared?

Are VCRs/DVDs checked and cued to correct spot?

For the Video conference

Do you have the IP address?

Start of Class

Turn on/check equipment

Check camera presets

Load or check visuals aids or other media

- First class

- How will the students contact you outside of class hours? E-mail, post on blackboard, office hours? Will you be visiting their site? Will someone (distant or extended person be visiting their site?)

- Inclement weather policy. How will the students at the distant end be notified of inclement weather/school cancellation, and what is the make-up policy?

In the ITV environment, it is critical to communicate expectations, class procedures, and ground rules from the beginning. In most new ITV classrooms, students will not have to deal with technological challenges. The technology and distance may still present challenges to students, such as making them more reluctant participants than traditional classrooms. During the first class meeting, discuss with students the procedures for dealing with audio, video, and/or other technical difficulties

There are things that are important in the ITV environment that will need to be briefed to students. Some of these things are:

-Preparation for class/having required materials ready

-Using web-based technology for material and assignment turn-in

-Identifying themselves when asking a question. This identifies the student for the instructor as well as classmates at remote locations.

-Speak clearly when you have a comment or question

-Keep noise to a minimum. Whispering, shuffling papers, eating, etc. can be heard over the microphones and is distracting to the class. Be aware of the noise you are making.

-Do not interrupt each other. Only one person can speak and be understood at any given time. If two people speak at once, their voices drown each other out over the audio system.

The United States Distance Learning Association publishes guidelines for best practices in video conferencing. At their website, "www.usdla.org" under the section "awards" guidelines for many different types of distance learning, including video conferencing, provides an excellent reference for preparation and execution.