anywhere in the world…
No passport required!
from "Video Collaboration in Education: Building a Foundation for the Digital Age" A strategy paper from Center for Digital Education Video Collaboration in Education CDE12+STRATEGY+Polycom_V.pdf
You and your students can:
"Going Global: Bringing the World to Your Classroom via HDVC" presentation
Going Global-Connecting your Classroom to the World via HDVC.pdf
Students gain essential skills embedded into Common Core State Standards including:
Videoconferencing helps students learn how voice, video and data are converged into acommon digital format
By connecting to others, students gain an understanding and appreciation for other cultures.
Videoconferencing helps students satisfy their curiosity about the world around them by experiencing it firsthand
Ø Higher Order Thinking & Sound Reasoning-
Many e-field trip providers challenge students to look at the world around them in a new light and use their skills to solve real world problems and answer real world questions.
Classroom2classroom videoconferencing provides unique opportunities for students to learn important collaboration skills necessary for today’s world. Check out: Collaborative Projects Template Booklet Created by Janine Lim and Arnie Comer to help teachers design "Kid2Kid Videoconferencing Projects"
Ø Interactive Communication-
By videoconferencing students learn about synchronous communication technologies.
Although this is an old article (1990!) the suggestions given are still applicable to any project you want to create.
Videoconference Requirements
To get started, you'll need videoconference equipment. If you are in Wisconsin, your district may already have a BCN (BadgerNet Converged Network) classroom at the high school.
If you don’t have a BCN classroom (or it’s busy or not close by,) mobile video carts cost $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the features, the peripherals (like a document camera or computer), the cart, and monitor you select. For ideas about equipment, visit the CESA 7 Electronic Field Trips page and click on the "Videocarts and Polycoms" link.
Next, consider your bandwidth…is there enough for videoconferencing? You may need to implement quality of service settings in order to ensure good video. Your IT department will need to be involved and our videoconference guru, Bill Moede, can provide technical assistance to them. (920-360-3235 or bmoede@cesa7.org)
Finally, let Roxann Nys (920-366-3621 or rnys@cesa7.org) train and support your teachers and staff on the resources available for efield trip and collaboration opportunities.
For more resources and information about videoconferencing including a guide to successful videoconferencing, a list of resources to help you find places and people with whom to videoconference, check out the information on the CESA 7 Educational Technology Services Electronic Field Trips website
My two favorite places to search for videoconferencing and/or collaboration possibilities include:
Free to use and, although you don't have to register to use it, I do recommend it! On the CILC site, you can search "Content Providers" for electronic field trips and/or search their "Collaborations Center" for classroom to classroom videoconferencing opportunities. You can also post your own request for a collaboration, but you will need to create your free account to do so.
and:
"your one stop source for K12 videoconferencing." Although this site was designed for use initially for Michigan educators, it's open and available to all. It is free to use and to get the most out of it, be sure to create your own educator account. Janine Lim, the TWICE network coordinator, also has her own website (more on that below) that has an amazing array of resources.
Associated with the TWICE network is a great list of electronic field trips recommended by grade level by the Michigan teachers who've participated in them. Very helpful list, but remember these are subjective recommendations.
Their mission: "is to support 21st century learning and improve academic performance through content driven collaboration. We engage teachers and K-12 students in meaningful project learning exchanges worldwide to develop science, math, literacy and communication skills, foster teamwork, civic responsibility and collaboration, encourage workforce preparedness and create multi-cultural understanding. We prepare youth for full participation as productive and effective citizens in an increasing global economy. Founded in 1984, GSN is a 501(c)3 non-profit education organization. Let's work together to give youth the skills they need." Get Involved
ePals is a partnership that can link Wisconsin students with their counterparts in classrooms in over 200 countries and territories. ePals provides students access tosafe, high-tech tools that will provide entry to cultures around the world." Lots of ideas for projects and the resources provided are free.
KidLink started in Sweden. Most users are between 10 and 15 years old. US Dept. of Ed recommends!
"This wiki is a collection of educator-created templates and projects for collaborative videoconferences. Start by browsing the projects. Then follow these instructions to add your own projects! You may also use the lesson template and the sample agendas." NOTE: Janine is no longer with Berrien RESA, but the wiki remains as a good resource for those planning collaborative videoconferences.
A great resource for getting ideas: A downloadable booklet, created by Janine Lim of the TWICE network in Michigan. This Word document, called "Kid2Kid Videoconferencing Projects" gives tons of ideas on adapting traditional classroom activities to videoconferencing.
Jennifer Wagner, creator of ProjectsByJen, has been successfully encouraging teachers since 1999 to use online projects in their PreK-6 classrooms. Using various ideas, Jennifer will help you understand how online projects will help you make the most of your time in a variety of ways. Winning numerous awards for her creative ways in encouraging teachers to collaborate, her teaching style is very user friendly, creative, and personable.
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