Journal # 3 Bring the world into your classroom NETS-T 4,5

McDermon, L. (2010, September/October). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october.aspx
BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION:
McDermon, L. (2010, September/October). Bring the world into your classroom. Learning and Leading with Technology, 38(2), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-september-october.aspx
[NOTE: Italicize "Learning and Leading with Technology" and the volume number - "38"]

Summary: Linda McDermon shares the multiple benefits to integrating videoconferencing programs into the classroom. Students can visit places around the world virtually with these programs without ever having to leave the classroom, so in that sense it is cost effective. Videoconferencing also allows students to interact with other students from all over the world using a number of web based communication tools including virtual face-to-face meetings. Her students have had the opportunity to connect with scientists and historians at museums, high school teachers, and interact with classrooms of their peers in other states as well as Great Britain. Read Around the Planet (RAP) and Megaconference Jr.are two videoconferencing programs that Linda mentions. Janine Lim and Sue Porter are the cofounders of RAP, they started the program in Michigan in 2002. The program uses videoconferencing to match up two classrooms to share reading. Students have shared stories and performed skits and plays for the other classroom online. Linda says students have become very enthusiastic about curriculum with the opportunity to share their projects with another classroom.

Megaconference Jr. is another great program that allows students from around the world to participate and present for free at any time in a 12-hour time span. The project has held once a year since 2004. One group of students who participated last year even took it a step further and posted a wiki they created after the presentation to show students their progress on the project. Linda explains in detail the numerous ways videoconferencing can be added to any classroom. One way is to use a video camera and free software with computer and data projector using H.323 technology. Another way is to use a desktop camera connected to a data projector. It can also be done with the use of commerical videoconferencing equipment. The important point Linda is focusing on in this article about videoconferencing is the valuable experience it will give the students. According to Linda, the collaborative work students will be participating in along with videoconferencing such as e-mail, websites, and wikis will enhance their learning and give them a competitive edge in the world of education.

Question 1: How might high school students use videoconferencing differently than some of the ways elementary school students use it?

High school students could use videoconferencing to virtually visit college campuses and talk to professors in their field of interest. This would especially useful for students who are interested in attending colleges out of state because they would get a sense of whether or not they were really interested in the campus before making a trip out to the college. High school students could also talk to professors on universities in other parts of the world to gain even more knowledge about the area of study that interests them. Classroom to classroom interactive projects can also be done in high school and they can connect with other high schools nationally as well as internationally.

Question 2:Are there concerns that need to be addressed before using web based communication tools and videoconferencing programs to communicate with other classrooms and students?

I think that there are some guidelines and expectations that need to be discussed with students prior to beginning their participation in the videoconferencing collaborative programs. Students need to discuss digital citizenship and cyberbullying since they may be communicating via email or on websites and with wikis. They also need to talk about how they should behave when they are virtually meeting with students from other classrooms. It is important for the teacher to clearly explain that any behavior toward another which is hurtful will not be tolerated.