Videoconferencing

Videoconferencing---connecting students to content area experts and classrooms from different continents through the use of synchronous discussion tools like Skype (http://www.skype.com)---is becoming an increasingly common feature in the 21st Century classroom.  To make the most of videoconferences, teachers must introduce students to a set of skills that are not always necessary in traditional classrooms. 

The tools and resources on this page can help teachers to structure meaningful learning experiences with videoconferences.

Teacher Videoconference Checklist

Checklist_SkypePreparation.pdf

This checklist walks teachers through the common technical, procedural and pedagogical concerns that must be addressed before a videconference can be successful. 

Student Videoconference Checklist

Checklist_StudentVideoconferencingPreparation.pdf

Preparing students to host their own videoconference sessions requires a different set of skills and behaviors than those expected of classroom teachers.  This checklist walks students through the process of preparing for a Skype videoconference. 

Conversation Role Play Activity

Handouts_ConversationRolePlays.pdf

Any conversation---whether it takes place in person or online---requires a certain set of skills to navigate successfully.  Participants must learn how to draw out quiet participants and to deal with those who dominate the direction of the dialogue.  Participants must learn how good questions can move a conversation forward and what to do when inaccurate information is brought to the collective table.  This set of role plays can help the students in your classroom to learn a bit more about the kinds of conversation behaviors that matter. 

Skype Skills to Master Tipsheet

Tipsheet_SkypeSkillstoMaster.pdf

Skype---one of the most widely used free videoconferencing tools in schools---is approachable and easy to use.  There are, however, several basic skills that students must master before they will be able to carry out videoconferences without extensive teacher support.  This tipsheet introduces students to some of those basic skills.