Video Conferencing

The presentation on video conferencing (VC) struck me as a very even look at the benefits and issues surrounding the use of VC as an educational tool. I have had the impression in the past that VC has been widely adopted as a new technology that will eliminate financial pressures and scarcity issues surrounding a need for specialist teachers in smaller and rural schools. In particular, as a response to the second languages initiative, and more specifically, the need for high school physics/math teachers.

My concern has always been that we are adopting a flashy, 'cool' new technology at great cost but not necessarily looking at how this technology will impact the 'how' behind teaching. So much of what we do as teachers relies on the relationship between teachers and students that facilitates the transaction/interaction behind teaching and learning. The question that I've been left with is how do we facilitate this relationship and prevent VC developing into a talking head style, broadcast like learning environment? I have worried that we are honeymooning with a new, novel technology and investing a lot of our resources in in an unproven technology . The question in my mind is where will we be when the honeymoon is over? Are we investing in developing the required skill set in our teachers so that we are not left with unused, but expensive VC suites?

Danny's presentation addressed many of these concerns and, in turn, was a very even analysis of the potential of VC as an educational tool. I was struck by his list of what was needed in a productive VC environment. Specifically striking were the lessons learned:

• Student Engagement
• Blend of Technologies (Improved Student Learning:
  
• Shared Learning Space
• Focus on concepts & Content
• Structured Collaboration clear purpose and goals)
  
• Active learning technologies
• Extra Planning Time
• Tech Support Required
• Social, reflective & interactive
• Engaging - connected to actual practice.

Danny also spoke of the kind of teaching needed. He described the kind of teaching approach of needed as being dynamic - "learning doesn't just happen". This reminded me of the early lessons of teaching where I learned that a teacher need to develop a presence in the classroom. In order to teach a class, a teacher needs to hold the room. VC demands a new form of presence. I recall a presentation on VC from last summer where we saw some footage of a teacher teaching a second language. This teacher used a lot of 'flashy', high energy strategies to hold her students via VC. This was complimented by some face to face time with her students. In effect, the issue of teacher PD is being addressed by these lessons of VC. However, PD is expensive, do the technology budgets address this need? I hope the from these lessons learned in VC, that it will.

I have by far exceeded my three paragraphs ... but the were short paragraphs ...? does that buy forgiveness?