Successful Teaching with IVC

The following tips are offered to improve interaction with remote locations/students:

• Introduce everybody right away. Include remote site facilitators and/or support staff.
• Remind students that audio delays of one to two seconds are common, so they should avoid interrupting and use visual cues (like nodding) instead of verbal affirmations.
• Assume when you walk in the room that you are on camera and that the microphones are live!
• Outline the ground rules before you start. Students will be required to be on camera in this course. Talk about microphone courtesy, about how others can see you even if you can’t see them, and about the need for face-to-face manners.
• The speaker should identify him/herself and location whenever talking to the group.
• The instructor should acknowledge that a question has been asked and repeat it if needed for all sites to hear.
• After a question has been asked, acknowledged, and then answered, confirm the answer.
• Regularly acknowledge participants at remote sites.
• Remote site students must take responsibility for some of their learning environment. They should be able to change the volume, get help, receive/send faxes, and signal the instructor if there are other questions during the first class meeting.

Conferencing Etiquette

• As you direct your comments around the room, remember there are people in the room on the other side of the camera.
• Be aware that microphones need to be turned off (mute) unless someone at your site is speaking. If they are left on (check for red light) this will create annoying background noise that could literally ruin the class.

Presentation Tips

• Be prepared.
• Relax and enjoy yourself.
• Involve students.

Movement

• Be animated
• Use hand gestures
• Be mindful of facial gestures
• Move slowly because there is a slight delay in a videoconference.
• Maintain as much eye contact as possible both with the camera and people in your homeroom (if any).

Speaking

• Project your voice. Speak slower. Speak clearly. Repeat comments if audio freezes temporarily.

Pacing

• Maintain active interest with those at the remote site
• Use a variety (every 15 minutes, or so) of instructional activities
• Employ a variety of visual materials
• Vary your pace

Your Appearance

• Wear clothing that’s comfortable (physically and mentally)
• Pastel or neutral colors seem to be preferable
• Keep jewelry and accessories to a minimum
• Don’t wear more makeup than you normally do

Other Tips

• Don’t talk about a document if the people at the remote sites don’t have a copy of it.
• Identify the important components of your material.
• Make sure people at remote sites can see you at regular intervals.
• Don’t be a talking head. Do be creative.
• As you present, keep an eye on the monitor for clarity of visuals.

Distance Teaching Skills

The International Distance Education Certification Center provides an overview of teaching strategies that can enhance the delivery of distance education courses. The strategies listed here are a summary of their recommendations:

• Don't forget the print. It is still valuable and can be delivered by electronic means.
• Use local examples in case studies and assignments.
• Distance delivery takes more time. Use good judgment in the amount of material delivered in a session.
• Remember, not all students are comfortable with technology. Some will need more support.
• Humanize the delivery by keeping focused on the students, not the technology.
• Intersperse the course with presentations, discussions, and interactions.
• Know how to use the equipment.
• Reinforce the distance student by providing feedback.
• Start each session with objectives for the session.
• Summarize each session before it ends.
• Be prepared for equipment failure. It does happen.

Source: Meyer, Robert A. Distance Education Standards and Resource Guide, International Distance Education Certification Center, 2001.

Check Out These Resources

Spend some time looking at the Teaching with Videoconferencing Wiki by Wesley Fryer, Director of Educational Advocacy for AT&T in the State of Oklahoma. I'm impressed by his inclusion of "Accomodations to Expect and Plan For" in this teaching environment.

http://teachdigital.pbwiki.com/teaching-with-videoconferencing

Videoonferencing Instructional Strategies (KNE) This site includes strategies for designing two-way video instruction that makes the teaching and learning interactive. Topics covered include:

• Motivating Learners
• Setting Expectations
• Engaging Students with Variety and Interaction
• Encouraging Dialogue
• Providing Support Materials

http://www.kn.att.com/wired/vidconf/instruct.html

Getting Started Online (http://vfc.project.mnscu.edu/)

This self-paced tutorial was designed for Minnesota college faculty members interested in learning more about teaching in an online environment, but it is generic enough to be useful almost anyone charged with the responsibility of designing and delivering online instruction. It offers a review of current literature in the field through readings on key topics, practical tips and suggestions for online teaching, and links to Internet resources for further study. The tutorial is divided into four modules, each of which also contain points to ponder, an instructional activity, and a short quiz. The modules include:

• Online vs. Face-to-Face Instruction
• Student Success Factors in an Online Learning Environment
• Starting Small: Using Web-Enhanced or Hybrid Delivery Methods
• Next Steps: Organizing Your Online Course

Literature Review for Teaching with IVC

There is a large body of literature available to review on teaching in an interactive videoconferencing environment. This review seeks to specifically identify research that addresses the following characteristics:

• Two-way videoconferencing technology links professors to students
• Instruction is synchronous
• Instructors and students are separated by distance
• Point-to-point or Multisite connections are involved

Articles

http://www.iu.edu/~iuonline/facresourcs/casebook/tableofcontents.htm

Advancing Learning, Closing the Distance: Indiana University Faculty Casebook (2001)

Video Tele Training.pdf

http://www.state.il.us/cms/ivn/DistanceLearning/Distlearn.htm

Distance Learning Basics, Illinois Video Network (Dec. 15, 2005)

http://www.designingforlearning.info/services/writing/interact.htm

Strategies for Effective Teaching: Using Interactive Video in the Distance Education Classroom: All You Ever Wanted to Know before You Knew You Needed to Know (Dec. 15, 2005)

http://www.cit.cornell.edu/atc/consult/DL/disted.ppt

Teaching at a Distance with 2-Way Video (Dec. 15, 2005)

http://www.ode.state.or.us/initiatives/oraccessnet/resources/teachwithvideoconf.pdf

Teaching with Videoconferencing: Lessons Learned (Dec. 21, 2005)