January 6, 2009
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Interactive Videoconferencing
Interactive videoconferencing (IVC) has proven to be a time and money saver for school districts around the country. Whether it’s used for professional development or for offering chemistry courses to students in small rural schools, or for field trips to far-flung destinations inaccessible to schools, IVC can be a real boost for teachers and students alike.
But, what exactly, is this thing called “video-” or “teleconferencing”? What applications does it have for education? What are the benefits? And where can you go for more information? Here are a few answers…
What Is It?
Videoconferencing is a medium in which individuals or groups can meet face-to-face in real time to interact. Bringing the world into the classroom through the use of this technology is becoming increasingly more popular. The technical requirements to get started are:
- a computer (Mac or PC)
- CUseeMe software
- a video camera
- an Internet connection, preferably ISDN or better
Videoconferencing technology allows people to use their PCs or a computer network with large screens in multiple locations to see, hear, and talk to others in another place instantaneously—as if they were together in a classroom, auditorium, library, or museum. Teachers can lecture a class, or multiple classes; students can work on a school project, or homework assignments; homeschoolers can take part in a classroom discussion; educators can participate in workshops; schoolchildren can visit a distant zoo or enjoy an underwater adventure…all through a Web cam and speakers connected to a computer. With wireless technology, the dimension of mobility is added.
What Does It Do?
In educational settings, there are three ways in which videoconferencing can be used: for communication, instruction, and/or collaboration.
- Communication. Face-to-face, real-time conversation between students and between educators at all levels is the greatest boon that videoconferencing offers.
- Instruction. Students in rural areas or in home schools—or those who are homebound for health or disability reasons, or who are in low enrollment situations—can engage in distance learning via videoconferencing. In addition, field trips can be planned and mentoring sessions with experts can be accessed.
- Collaboration. Educators at all levels can share common needs and concerns and work for common solutions to develop better student-centered content and instructional processes.
What Are the Benefits?
To utilize videoconferencing best, educators have to plan for the effective exchange of information. The advance planning process becomes part of the experience, and this in itself is one of the benefits of using this technology. Other benefits are:
- Interaction with experts. Students can get answers to questions from experts—and teachers can meet with mentors—who, because of time and distance, would otherwise be inaccessible.
- Bridging cultural differences. Students can interact with other students and adults in a different country, even boosting language skills through real-time conversations.
- Saving money. Budget-conscious school administrators can conserve funds when their staff members aren’t required to travel for workshops or for field trips. In addition, sharing staff members among participating schools can keep salary costs down.
- Different learning styles addressed. Videoconferencing can be a multimedia experience—including video clips, animation, audio, and graphics—which is especially good for visual learners.
- Increased motivation. Students are much more willing to do the research when they know that they will be presenting it to other classes—and most students enjoy using the new technology.
- Better retention, because students learn from a primary source rather than a textbook.
- Improved skills, such as presentation and speaking, communication and management, and questioning ability.
Where Can I Find More Info?
See our Featured Interview with Ruth Blankenbaker, Executive Director of the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, in this issue. And check out these Web connections for more detailed information:
Aquatic Research Institute, Inc (ARII) of Chicago (Click on Distance Learning to access ARII’s Aqua Projects.)
Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC)
CILC’s Keystone 2005 Conference, Oct. 4–5
New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)
NYIT’s Educational Enterprise Zone