Post on 14-Dec-2015
Heather Lin
Language – Chinese (Canadian Lead Primary School Ballarat)
Started video conferencing term 3 2013, to deliver Chinese lessons to a small school with 10 kids (grade 3 to 6)
The tools available …
Polycom 820 units in Vic schools
MSLYNC – Every DEECD teacher in Vic & others by LYNC attendee invitation
Polycom to Polycom
Powerful camera control tools
Fast connection
Flexible for connecting other devices such as IPADS
Tools I use the most for lesson
MS Power point
MS Word
IPADS apps: Explain Everything Note Pages Doodle Buddy
Microsoft Lync to Polycom No specific location required, only needs internet
access
Does NOT allow display of visual material
Does NOT allow display of computer or ipad screen
Requires high involvement by the classroom teacher
Strategies - Avoid need for high teacher interaction
Prefer multiple choice to free writing
Use ipad apps to teach hand writing (self correcting)
Simple activity structure (explanations can be surprisingly hard)
Strategies -Set clear rules for communication
Divide responsibility for the classOn-site teacher manages class
behaviourAgree on-site teacher’s involvement
in the language component (remember - not their area)
Use visual and spoken cues You don’t have “presence” to control
the class
Strategies - Homework
Difficult to run reinforcement activities via video conference
“Homework” could also be in class after the video conference
Preparation - Timing control
Things take longer in video conferencing (especially behaviour management)
Coordination of activities and documents (and technology) can cause delays
Preparation - Documents
Provide students with a list of the key words, grammar principles etc (note taking is a lost art)
Too many documents are a distraction (for students and teachers)
Clear labelling for documents – I suggest numbering
Tell the on-site teacher how documents are to be used in the class