Additional Resources & Information on Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing technology allows people at two or more locations to see and hear each other at the same time. By taking advantage of the Internet and low-cost or free software, users can use their computers and a web camera to connect to others. This communication technology offers countless possibilities for education, including private two or three person dialogue, connection with guest speakers and experts, multi-school project collaboration, interactive on-line fieldtrips, formal instruction (courses, lessons, and tutoring), and professional activities such as meetings and interviews. The links below provide additional information on videoconferencing, including:

• Introduction to Videoconferencing
• Ideas and Uses for Videoconferencing
• Planning and Preparing to Videoconference
• Directories for Videoconferencing Users and Providers
• Lists and Directories of Videoconference Fieldtrips
• Collaborative Projects
• Links to Other Videoconference Resources

Getting Started

Technology Requirements - To utilize the video conference application in the Educators' Knowledge Center, the following technology is required: a computer (this system is a cross-platform tool and will support both PC and Macintosh formats); an Internet connection (a high speed connection is not required but preferred); a web camera with accompanying software; and headphones with microphone (recommended).

Videoconference Now - The University of Illinois' Educators' Knowledge Center provides a video conference system that allows you to collaborate with others in a private room with the use of a simple web camera. Each room accommodates up to three participants, each sending audio and video, in a 'live' three-way conference. Also, each room contains slide viewer and text chat features.

Introduction to Videoconferencing

An Introduction to Videoconferencing - This guide is designed to help teachers, librarians, and students use videoconferencing technology effectively. If you're new to videoconferencing, this site will provide the background you need to get started. Experienced videoconferencers will find ideas, strategies, resources, and checklists to help improve the quality of their videoconferencing.

Desktop Videoconferencing: Novelty or Legitimate Teaching Tool? - This article from Education World answers where you can get videoconferencing technology, how it can be used in the classroom, how-to's, and tips.

Ideas and Uses for Videoconferencing

Ideas and Uses for Videoconferencing from SBC Knowledge Network Explorer - Want to know how schools, colleges, and libraries are using videoconferencing technology? This collection of ideas and examples should get you started.

Videoconferencing in the Classroom - Useful links about how and why to use videoconferencing in classrooms. This includes teacher resources and links to some past projects.

Using Videoconferencing in the Classroom - There are many ways that videoconferencing might be used in a classroom. Below are some of ways that it has already been successfully used.

Digital Bridges: Videoconferencing for Teaching & Learning - Here are examples from many different areas of educational videoconferencing use, promising practices with established records of reliable delivery of instruction and course material. More about how teachers and others use videoconferencing for: Course Delivery, Enhancing Instruction, Community Services, Staff Development, and Professional Collaboration.

Planning and Preparing to Videoconference

Videoconference Now - The University of Illinois' Educators' Knowledge Center provides a video conference system that allows you to collaborate with others in a private room with the use of a simple web camera. Each room accommodates up to three participants, each sending audio and video, in a 'live' three-way conference. Also, each room contains slide viewer and text chat features.

Planning for 2-Way Video - How to plan an effective, successful, two-way video learning experience. Information is provided about various content providers who specialize in videoconferencing. Once you're ready to go it on your own, this page has resources to help you. We've included a simple lesson plan matrix and a comprehensive checklist to help teachers consider the many aspects of a successful instructional videoconference. For those occasional glitches, we've added a section on handling technical problems.

Instructional Strategies - Effective use of videoconferencing technology for interactive learning requires practice and planning as well as attention to a few important instructional strategies. Two-way video works best as an interactive medium, but because we all have years of experience watching video rather than communicating with it; instructors must make extra effort to involve and engage learners.

Videoconference Evaluation - A good deal of planning and preparation probably went into setting up and conducting your videoconference. Don't lose an opportunity to make the next one better! When the videoconference is over, take formal steps to evaluate what could be done to improve the next one.

Videoconferencing for Educators - How to plan for and prepare a videoconference, ideas for classroom uses and resources.

Elements of an Effective Video Conference - How-to tips for conducting more effective video conferences.

Videoconferencing Directories for Users and Providers

Looking for program providers or simply interested in connecting with another classroom? The SBC Videoconferencing Directory is a free, searchable database of videoconferencing sites of interest to K-12 school, community college, and public library communities. Our directory includes contacts, program descriptions, and equipment information for over 1100 sites.

Global SchoolNet offers directions, a directory listing conferencing schools, videoconferencing lists, and additional resources for using videoconferencing in education.

Global Leap.com is part of the UK's Videoconferencing in the Classroom Project. This site has links for learning about videoconferencing, a registry of users, a directory to search for partners, to review or post projects and lessons, and many other resources.

Lists and Directories of Videoconference Fieldtrips

Videoconferencing Adventures - SBC Knowledge Network offers samples of resources for videoconference fieldtrips and "adventures".

Video Conferencing Trips - An excellent list of virtual video conferencing trips, provided by Nassau BOCES.

Video Conference Field Trip Database - Provided by Two Way Interactive Connections in Education (ITWICE), this database contains programs from content providers such as zoos and museums that offer ISDN or IP based videoconferencing.

Digital Bridges Content Provider Listing [PDF] - Nice list of content providers for K-12 videoconferencing in the resources area of the Digital Bridges site.

Polycom Content Provider List [PDF] - The Polycom Content Provider list gives a sample of nearly 200 potential knowledge providers to enrich the education experience.

NoodleTrip - NoodleTrip is an online directory focusing on video conferencing virtual field trips, tours, and distance learning courses. This search directory allows members a free search for specific trips as well as providing a centralized area for providers to advertise their events.

School Voice - Video Conference Opportunities in Classroom Education: This database is a collection of content providers for K-12 videoconferencing programs. This database can be searched by subject area, grade level, transmission standard, free or fee, and by the content provider's name.

IDeaS Content Series - Programs and events available ONLY through the IDeaS site. The content series includes authors, careers, sports, and more.

Collaborative Projects

High School Quiz Bowls - High school students (ages 14 -19 in grades 9-12) from around the world with an interest in an academic competition (in English) will compete with other schools over compressed video in bi-monthly sessions.

Mystery Quest - This project is designed for middle school students studying world geography. Through video conference technology students are able to meet other students while learning about cities and countries in the world.

Empower Peace - Seeks to promote better cultural understanding and tolerance between youth worldwide utilizing cutting edge technologies to connect youth from around the world via video-conferencing and the Internet. Our goal is to bring about a climate of mutual respect and understanding by exposing youth to their contemporaries from abroad.

Two Way Interactive Connections in Education (TWICE) - Provides a list of collaborative, exchange, point-to-point, and international videoconference projects give you and your students an opportunity to learn with another school or classroom. There are many possibilities.

Links to Other Videoconference Resources

Two Way Interactive Connections in Education (TWICE) - Michigan's organization for videoconferencing in K-12 education. TWICE promotes and supports collaborative connections for the benefit of all students.

SBC Knowledge Network - Offers a comprehensive look at the educational uses of videoconferencing for teachers, librarians, students, administrators, technology coordinators, and others interested in the use of this technology.

Digital Bridges for Video Conferencing - This site provides information about using videoconferencing technology for instruction, communication, and collaboration. You will find resources for uses and examples, planning, and a teacher's guide.

CILC - Resources available on the site include best practices, collaboration center, video conference directory search, and tips.

A Teacher's Guide to Videoconferencing - Northwest Regional Laboratory offers a guidebook to help teachers and others who are delivering or are planning to deliver courses through videoconferencing in a classroom setting. A data or LCD projector is required to conduct this type of conferencing.

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