May++12

=**It's Elementary #18 Videoconferencing with guest James Sigler 4 p.m. PDT/7 p.m. EDT)**= Ustreamer = Jose Time Keeper = Durff Chatroom = Durff / Jose Skypeconferencecall = Alice Interviewer =** **Alice**
 * Topic =** Videoconferencing
 * Streamer = Forget this?


 * Intro:** (Durff) Welcome to It's Elementary Show #18. We are streaming live on the EdTechTalk Channel of the Worldbridges network with Lisa Durff, a K12 teacher in Maryland, AND Jose Rodriguez, third grade teacher in Los Angeles CA, AND Alice Mercer, a Elementary computer lab teacher in Sacramento, CA, AND Maria Knee a Kindergarten teacher from Deerfield, NH. Today is Monday, May 12th, 2008. Today we are talking about videoconferencing with out guest James Sigler.

show format:

1. Introduction: 2min

 * Tell us about yourself and how you stumbled upon Video conferencing and use of Skype in your classroom?

2. setting the stage; definitions of the subject 3min

 * NETS [|Communication and Collaboration] and looking on how our students are communicating with authentic audiences.


 * How are we assuring our students meet these goals? Video conferencing is a step in that direction.

3. Reasons to use that technology in elementary. 3min

 * It's important at all levels. K-12 and beyond.
 * In Elementary it's about connecting our classroom to other classrooms.
 * Sharing our shared experiences.

4. Examples, pointing out the salient points (links from Diigo group) 3min

 * Tornado stories - James
 * Collaborative Projects like Horizon Project are the purpose for connecting classrooms
 * Many Voices for Dafur [|Blog] and Wiki

5. Barriers to effective implementation or sustainability (roundtable discussion; Alice, Lisa, Jose) 10-15min
Here are a few lessons learned for next time.  I still have some questions I haven’t resolved.
 * The Nuts and Bolts:** Using Skype for Video Conferencing.
 * Email from James:**
 * Do a test call beforehand to test connections.
 * Have students ask questions of students at the other location.
 * Have an order to go in as far as who asks and who answers questions.
 * Have them prepared with a question and allow them to ask follow-up questions.
 * Sometimes the best nuggets come from spontaneous conversations.
 * Vivid verbal descriptions really help to envision what the speaker is saying.
 * It would be great if we could snap a picture of the class to send to other class just as the conference starts. That way we have someone to look at during the voice chat.
 * We really had a good time just getting to know each other.
 * The weather is not the same in different parts of the country at the same time.
 * We looked up beforehand the location of who we were talking to, so we could see that the typography was like.
 * How do you make sure everyone heard what was said?
 * How can the IT department help the quality of the connection?
 * What do you do about only one person being able to talk at a time when you have a whole class of students who want a turn?
 * Can we tie it to a content curriculum objective as well as a Communication Arts objective?
 * What are the best practices for a Skype conference?

6. Examples of video conferencing from the It's Elementary Team 5min

 * Durff
 * Maria ???
 * Alice???
 * Jose: Video Conference with Durff in 2007,
 * Jose End of Unit with Mr. Neeldleman
 * Jose Current projects: third grade with James sigler and Carol fox twitter friend.
 * Jose : conversation with Lisa P. in bringing these opportunities to more classrooms.

7. Questions/comments/ further discussion (open to webcast participants) 5min
Other tools available:
 * Ustream: [|Ginger Bread Tales]
 * K-12 High Speed Network in California
 * Elluminate

8. Review and wrap up (Solicit feedback for upcoming shows, announce next topic and date for show) 2min
Alice at minute 28 or so....

9. Post show
This has been Maria Knee, Jose Rodriguez, Alice Mercer, and Lisa Durff webcasting live on the Edtechtalk channel of the Worldbridges network Thanks to worldbridges.net, and thanks to edtechtalk.com for their support of It's Elementary and thanks to the entire edtechtalk community for listening. Special thanks to Jeff Lebow and Dave Cormier. Our next show will be Monday May 26, 2008 Special Edition: Alice Restaurant and Jose's Taco Stand. :-) You can check out episodes, leave comments, and find out what's going on at our blog: itselementary [dot] edublogs [dot] org. remember to visit our feedback Thank you for being here. Good Night!
 * Outtro:** [Maria] This has been It's Elementary Show #18, Videoconferencing