Before the Event
- If you haven’t
already, the teacher should visit the ITV room to get an idea
of what the room layout is and the equipment that is available. It will
help you consider where to position students, announcers, guests and
props. Phone me if you have questions or concerns. My number is below.
- Invite parents,
principals, or reporters from the local newspaper to be your guests
the day of the event.
- Remind students:
The same rules/etiquette apply as in the classroom with the addition
of a “new rule”: No sideline conversations or distractions while “on
the air”. The microphones are very sensitive. Make sure that
students (and teachers) keep papers and hands, etc. away from the microphones
– although you cannot hear the “noise”, others watching will get very
distracting noises from the movement of hands, paper, and voices. Even
whispers are very audible at the other sites. Remind your students
that any classroom that may be participating will hear their conversations
and comments!
- Frequently the
remote site will ask participants to mute their microphones (may not
be available in older ITV rooms), so be sure to know how to mute
your site's microphone.
- Schedule your
dress rehearsal when you are done practicing your presentation.
Please try to give me at least a week’s notice in order to make arrangements.
Allow 45 minutes to an hour for a complete run through of your presentation
and orientation. I can time the presentation for you.
- If you would like,
we can also arrange a small audience (maybe a few volunteer COOR ISD
employees) or a test class and I can offer feedback. We will
practice being heard, visibility of props or materials, and positioning
students or cameras. I can also give examples of what NOT to do. I can
answer questions you or your students may have about videoconferencing.
- Frequently there
is time allowed at the end of a event for the two classes to ask
each other questions. Prepare some questions ahead of time that
you would like to ask them. Write them on cards and have them handy
if needed. Ask them how they prepared for the event, where is the nearest
mall, how many students in the school, grade, or class, or what they
do for fun on the weekend. I had one class ask one of our classes if
their teacher was mean! Be prepared to answer questions also.
Prepare a procedure for answering questions.
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During the Event
- Do not hesitate
to tell the other site if you cannot hear or see them.
- Restrict movement
as much as possible. Movements may show up as choppy and disruptive.
- Viewers should
remain quiet unless called upon. The microphones pick up every noise.
Your noise may cut out the audio to or from the sites. Coughing,
tapping the microphone, and moving hands or paper are heard clearly
on the other end.
- Remember you
are always on camera. The other site can see you raise your hands,
yawning, or walking around. Face the camera when the other site is talking.
They can see you, sometimes larger than life!
- When it is your
turn to talk or answer a question, introduce yourself and talk clearly
in order to be understood. It helps the other site if the person
speaking is standing or apart from the group. Consider setting up a
separate or just one microphone just for speaking.
- Wait for the on
screen site to finish talking before replying. If they are speaking,
they will not hear you. Think of it as a seeing and hearing walkie-talkie.
- Take pictures
– do not use a flash if you are pointing it at the camera. If you need
a flash stay behind the camera. Otherwise, your flash (or laser pointer)
will cause a blinding “white out” at the remote site.
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Occasionally
there are problems with the broadcast and there may be a delay before
the conference. Have a back up plan!
Perhaps have a review exercise or activity ready for your students – just
in case!
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After the event
- Consider exchanging
thank you letters to the other site. Students could indicate
what they liked best and what they learned from the presentation.
- Consider making
a scrapbook or bulletin board of the event. Include photos, newspaper
articles, a list of guests, and anything used for the presentation.
- Consider writing
your comments and feedback of the experience to be included in
the VTA newsletter and on the Virtual Travel Agency’s website. Other
teachers want to hear about your experience! Your feedback valuable
to me as well! What did you like? What didn’t you like? What would you
do differently? What worked well for you? Anything you want…
then fax, email or mail it to me. It will be appreciated!
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Teri Dougherty
COOR
ISD ● P.O. Box 827 ● Roscommon ● MI ● 48653
PH#989-275-6886
● ATM# 120-7286 ● FAX# 989-275-5881
tdougherty@coorisd.k12.mi.us
● trips@nmec.tv
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