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Tips for staff using video conferencing equipment

General

Setting up and packing up can take up to 15 minutes � you need to be aware of other room bookings to allow for this.
Develop your lesson plans so that you only need to concentrate on one area at a time. If you use the document camera it can minimise distractions for you and the students.
Be aware of the colours you wear, if you are in grey you tend to merge with the background.
Try to visit the other campuses at least once a month and if possible take some students with you. This will increase their sense of group identity and gives you a greater appreciation of the different learning environments.

Audio

See recommended microphone setup sheet.
Use lapel microphones to ensure a steady volume.
Use the handheld microphone to help with sound problems if students have soft voices.

Cameras

Know what the preset buttons and camera movements are in the other campuses so you can advise students to change things if necessary. Contact ICTS on ext. 976 or the Multimedia Officer on ext. 958 for assistance.
Encourage students to talk towards the cameras and screen rather than the teacher so the group feels more inclusive.
Move tables when doing group work � face towards the campus on the other end of the screen. All campuses will have a copy of the room setup sheet in their rooms.
Set the room up to allow clear vision for all participants at all campuses. Reset the room to recommended setup at completion of class.

Using the document camera

The document camera is a good alternative to the whiteboard which can be hard to use (shadowed) and difficult for remote students to see.
Type questions on paper ahead of time � better and clearer than handwriting.
Overheads and/or handwriting need to be at least size16 font � possibly 18.
Keep within the border for remote students to see.
PowerPoint presentations make ideal slides to use on the document camera if you don�t want to plug in a notebook.
Use thicker pens for writing (1+ mm is recommended).

Things to think about when recording VC sessions to support flexible delivery

If you need assistance yo should contact the Multimedia Officer on 958.
If your session is being recorded by another person you need to indicate when changing from written material to class interaction and back again otherwise the tape misses some of this interaction. Obviously there won�t be so much of a problem when the teacher is operating the camera. Audio is captured, but missing the visuals means too much time is focused on static written material which could become boring for students watching later.
Any down time is very obvious so teaching material needs to be fully prepped.
It may be a good exercise for a teacher to watch a taped class and get a feel for what it looks like from a student view prior to running a class of their own.

POSITIVES	NEGATIVES
A good option � the way of the future.	There are still some difficulties with technology resulting in time wasting. Occasional sound and vision dropouts.
Cost and time effective.	Until totally comfortable, the teacher can be distracted by technology.
Allows you to read non-verbal communication.	Students and teachers are under surveillance (privacy issue).
Brings distances together.	The time delay in speech is disruptive. Sometimes one student can accidentally talk over another due to time delays in speech.
Creates a sense of connection.	Must keep check that required materials are available in both campuses.
Provides for better communication.	Additional setup and pack up time required.
Multiple classes can be conducted when previously restricted because the same teacher can�t be in two/three places at once (no impact on funding).	Can be difficult to interact with the class, less personal, less able to create connection between teacher and student.
Safer and less tiring than travelling to a remote campus at night after working all day.	Difficult to see how students are reacting and coping as facial expressions are hard to catch.
Gives students the experience of a different mode of study/delivery.
Setting up can provide the experience of additional group work.