During this period of social isolation and remote learning, video conferencing is essential for teaching purposes. Inviting experts to participate in the virtual classroom is one of the best ways to inspire authentic learning. In addition, video conferencing allows educators to interact with peers who share similar interests, conduct research, and as well share knowledge and resources.
In this article, you will learn some of the potential uses of video conferencing for remote teaching.
Small Group Discussions
Teachers can organize a series of Quick Zoom or Google Meet sessions, depending on the different skills or topics covered during the day. These online sessions are an excellent way to continue teaching and communicate with students. Although teachers may not allow students to participate in a live session due to access, connection and availability issues, these sessions can be recorded and published on classroom websites, Google Classroom or a learning management system.
Since teachers plan to host virtual meetings, it is important to approach the design of this time with intent. Structuring a learning session in small groups helps students get involved and makes the experience more meaningful to them. It is important that they are able to share details and ask questions.
If teachers plan to use video conferencing to easily transfer information (e.g. lessons or mini-classes), It is highly recommended they start by recording a video and allowing students to walk through it. They can then spend valuable and limited time in a video conferencing session with students to carry out more practical, interactive and challenging activities.
One-on-one Discussion
Teachers can invite students to participate in a one-on-one discussion about a chapter they have read in a textbook or schoolbook, report on a video lesson plan, or unpack complex questions or topics related to the subject area. Most video conferencing software packages include recording as part of the package. This means that creating a digital archive of the lessons is easy. After the messages are recorded, the student can review the lessons and anyone who might have missed a lesson can make up for lost time without having to go through the notes.
Ideally, teachers should send the discussion questions in advance so that students can think about them before the conversation. It is recommended that teachers create an online platform for students to look up and pick questions they want to answer. Teachers can do this by using TechIt applications, to asking an open question in a shared online document, or simply by asking students to write three questions on piece paper for discussion purposes.
Large Group Discussions
Online discussion with students about their goals, progress, questions and concerns are an effective way to use video conferencing. Teachers can use an online calendar, such as Google Calendar, to create a schedule for students to sign up for 60-minute conference sessions. In addition, they can also use Zoom App from the TouchIT App Store on the TouchIT Rapide to demonstrate various concepts.
Most teachers are usually appreciate the idea of using a goal-setting activity to guide conference sessions on student progress. In the past they used the smart objectives format to get students to think about what they want to achieve during an assessment period, but given the fluid nature of COVID-19 and school closures, it is advisable that teachers should adopt the objectives on a smaller scale (e.g. one week at a time).
Teachers can create a copy of a Google drawing and share it with their students through Google Classroom. This goal-setting task involves students at the beginning of each week in the metacognitive process of setting a personal or academic goal. This goal is then discussed by the teachers during the conference sessions. They may also end each week in an online journal or reflection pack, asking students to focus on their progress towards their weekly goal.
Bringing Experts into the Classroom
One of the best things about video conferencing in education is the ability to bring experts into the classroom. For example, a teacher could connect his or her class to an astronaut via Skype. OK, perhaps a little out there, but nonetheless it is totally possible! There are numerous ways to get the most out of this feature, but the best advice is to use their creativity and not be afraid to ask a big question. Interview with an expert would practically be more beneficial since students are able to relate to a real life situation full of challenges and creativity.
When using video conferencing, remember that this technology is as complicated as a phone call, so it’s not necessarily as big a problem as you might think as an expert. Don’t be afraid to write emails and ask big questions. Everyone wants to make a difference, and by going to a class of students to share why they are important can be reason enough to say yes to a video conference meeting.
Take a Virtual School Trip
One of the best ways to use video conferencing in the classroom is to give students access to things they have never seen before. When it comes to school vacations, you work with companies to look behind the scenes of things that would never have been possible in the past. Video conferencing is one possible solution that makes it easier for each student to spend time face-to-face without interrupting school.
Whether it is a behind-the-scenes tour of your local aquarium or the local power plant, it is important to know that there are countless possibilities. Video conferencing in the classroom or from school helps ensure that no matter what the obstacles, they always get the education they deserve. Since virtually all telephones and laptops are already equipped with a camera, it is quite easy to find a way to bring these students into the classroom, even if they have to stay at home. Although planning a real field trip can be difficult, using classroom time for a virtual excursion becomes a place that is fun, brings the class home and has a significant impact on the students.
Final Thoughts
In this period of social isolation and distance learning, there are several ways to use video conferencing. Video conferencing in the classroom can make a huge difference in education, since teachers are always looking for new ways to use this technology to make learning more interactive, personalized, and ultimately more enjoyable.
