Thing #13: Video Conferencing
Wow, I love this! What a great resource for teachers and, frankly, anyone! Video Conferencing provides the opportunity to learn without the expense of travel! It is there when you want it and you can utilize it on-demand.
I chose a clip under Getting Started because I need to start at the beginning of everything when it comes to technology! Video-Conferencing, It’s Easy, Free and Powerful! by Brian Crosby is not only informative but very touching. He discusses and displays how video conferencing can be utilized in the classroom to facilitate collaboration, language and higher thinking skills….just for starters. What really struck me about this presentation is how this technology was used to include Celest, a homebound child, into the regular classroom setting and activities.
This really got me thinking about all of the applications. Not only can you collaborate with other classes in other geographic locations (also shown in the presentation) but this tool can also enhance the experience of homeschooled children as well. Skype, the free video conferencing software, opens so many doors to otherwise missed opportunities. It can also be a great tool for families to communicate across the miles and generations!
I will definately look for opportunities to use this tool in my classroom. For now, however, I am having “Grandpa” download Skype so my children can communicate with him in a real-time fashion!
