Our district has provided each campus with a mobile Polycom VSX 7000 system that plugs into our network and provides point-to-point conferencing.

Through our local service center, we can bridge to be a multi-point broadcast if needed.

Through videoconferencing, we can allow our students to visit people and places they would not otherwise be able to visit. We don't use the system to just allow the students to "chat". We want to use our system to provide a virtual field trip or experience that meets the educational needs of our classes.

Real world application of the videoconferencing tools for our students:

• Students can work together on projects but combine classes across distance.
• Compare/contrast information collected in different regions.
• Debates can be held with students taking different perspectives.
• Student demonstrations for other students based on what is learned in a class.
• Students can research topics and develop presentations while collaborating in the system.
• Interviews can be conducted across the world.
• Professional development opportunities for staff to attend without travel costs.

A videoconference is only as good as the educational value that comes from it.

If you are a teacher on campus and you are interested in using the videoconference equipment, here are some steps to get you going:

1) Time - We need at least 4 weeks of advance time to set this up. There are many factors associated with this type of project that we need the time to work to get them all in line.

2) Find a partner - we need to find you the person/place you will be connecting with.

3) Prepare your students - students need to not only know about their project but they also need to know about appropriate behavior when in a video conference. For many of them, it may be their first time experiencing a video conference.

Students need to know that it is a 2 way communication and not just watching a one-way broadcast.

I heard someone once say 70% of your videoconference should be planned ahead and allow only 30% to be spontaneous.

Videoconferencing success is based on experience. The more you do it, the more you learn how to deal with all the issues that can happen during them. The only way we can make the use of any technology adaption is through the experiences we gain from using the tools.

If you are interested in using Videoconferencing in your classes, let's start talking.