My name is Kat and I am a grade 4/5 teacher in Vancouver. In this podcast I’m going to share with you about an emerging tool in technology known as video conferencing. I encourage you to listen with a critical ear while keeping in mind that the melody of this podcast focusses on the educational aspects of using video conferencing. Be sure to tune in until the end for some special student guest opinions!
Video Conferencing
References
Bates, A. (2005). Technology, e-learning and distance education (2nd ed.). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.
Combs, V. (2020). Video conferencing market predicted to grow to $11.56 billion by 2027. https://www.techrepublic.com/article/video-conferencing-market-predicted-to-grow-to-11-56-billion-by-2027/
Gillies, D. (2008). Student perspectives on videoconferencing in teacher education at a distance. Distance Education, 29(1), 107-118.
Knipe, D., & Lee, M. (2002). The quality of teaching and learning via videoconferencing. British Journal of Educational Technology, 33(3), 301-311.
Laurillard, D. (2002). Rethinking university teaching (2nd ed.). London: Routledge Falmer
Leon.Life Events. Premium Beats.
Schwarzer, D.Dixi Xi. Premium Beat.
Agree with Kristin! It is such a well-balanced review of video conferencing. “A video call can never truly replace the warmth, tenderness and feeling of a real hug from someone”. Well said! The sense of togetherness and shared experience are something video conferencing can not offer. My school has been using Zoom after spring break, and I particularly enjoyed the screen sharing and breakout room functions. As you mentioned, being able to record teachers’ lectures, students’ presentations and live chats is also a great feature. Documentation as such benefits learning in many ways. Students can easily review and reflect on their own pace, and teachers may use these to assess where the students are at and to get feedback on teaching. Again, thanks for sharing, Kat 🙂
Thanks for sharing this, Kat. I appreciated that you included student perspectives on the topic, as it’s an area where I’m keen to gather more information. In the last few weeks of the school year as a few students have returned to the classroom, I’ve made it a point to ask them about their experiences and perceptions. Video conferencing is an area where I haven’t been able to ask them much, however, as it wasn’t employed much in my secondary school. It’s definitely interesting to hear things that I wouldn’t think about, like the fact that they don’t have to turn around to look at their classmates because they’re all displayed in front of them. Anyways, thanks for sharing.
Hi Kat,
I enjoy listening to your podcast. What app did you use to create and edit it?
I love how you really gave this a personal perspective and dove into something that you are really in the thick of right now! Its super cool to use a lip-sync challenge to give students an opportunity to learn the new application, such a fun way for kids to figure out how things work!
One of your students brought up a great point about video conferencing with a group and you want to say something to one person but its a “room” full of people. I used video conferencing with my students as a way to keep kids connected during remote learning in a social aspect. I work with high school students and produced material asyronchously for students but offered video chat times for students to stay connected. I found that the meetings were pretty structured and didn’t allow for a hangout kinda feel that you would get with friends. The video chats were usually me asking students questions and have an individual chat with each student and the other kids listened and waited for their turn. This is something I need to explore for the fall to try and get high school kids to socialize with the class in an authentic way while remote.
Well done Kat, thanks for sharing!
Hi Katlyn,
Thank you for your comments and insights!
I used voice recorder on my iphone, Audacity for my student recordings and some apps to level out the sound and volume of the recordings once I put them altogether…it was quite a new venture for me, so I am glad you could enjoy it!
During COVID, since the only safe way to connect our students was through video conferencing, it was a new application for most of my students. I can understand how it can be more formal (less than a hangout chat) especially when WE, the teachers are monitoring and facilitating the chats.
The lip sync project was a little TOO advanced for my students and I really had to support them in learning HOW to use teams and help scaffold to a tee what they were expected to do. But it certainly was a great way that they could connect with one another.
I am thinking for high school student, a group lip sync could be more easily achieved. You might even be able to have them create PSA (public service announcements) or commercials where they would have to create something collaboratively using the video chat. I could see high school students get very creative with all of their capabilities. It great that you are able to record the chats too, so that other students can view their chats (projects) and give opportunities for peer review and self- assessment.
I hope you find some ways to help them stay connected in the Fall. (video might be one way)!
Thank you so much
Thanks for your analysis of video conferencing and Microsoft Teams. It was clear, well structured, and it was great to hear first-person reviews from students. My school also uses Microsoft Teams. I think it is a great platform with so many benefits. I believe some aspects of remote learning will take place in the fall, and students have responded very well to video conferencing in high school. How did you find the initial set up with students in grades 4/5? Was there a steep learning curve? Did you have all students participate? Did you conduct full class conferences, smaller groups or one-on-one?
I liked how you emphasized the pros and cons of video conferencing, it was a very well balanced review that tied into mobile education very well. Great job, Kat.
Thank you so much for your comments and feedback, Kristin.
Using Teams was a learning curve for ME as it was new, so I found myself learning and teaching with the students at the same time. At that age group, they really did struggle at first but I encouraged them to explore (students love pressing all buttons) and they really figured things out within a week. I found the most used and popular tab was CHAT as they missed communicating with each other so much. The student in the district used it so much that they actually had to disable the video chat feature from them as they would call their friends and other students from other school at all hours of the day!
I started with small groups of 4-5 with lessons and instructions on how to use Teams and gradually moved to whole classroom (especially when the MUTE All function was enabled)! Now I do a combination of all groups: whole class, small groups (for projects) and one-on one for specific support and inquiries. The students have got very comfortable with using the conferencing and I notice some student confidence increase as they enjoy not having to present in front of the whole class for a project but can video themselves and let everyone view it on their own time, which is interesting.
How does it work for you in high school with projects? Video presentations?