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ITV Interactive Videoconferencing Course Guide (includes
information on instructional design)
Developing a course for delivery via ITV involves more than simply applying an interactive technology to traditional course offerings. Instead, an ITV course should capture what teachers do in the traditional classroom and present it in a way that can be understood by ITV students. Instructors must have an understanding of how students learn, and also how the content should be reorganized so students can effectively meet the course objectives. A successful ITV course relies heavily on interaction – it’s perhaps the most important technique to master. To explain and clarify difficult concepts in an ITV course, the instructor must utilize different approaches.
Teaching an ITV course often requires research, re-training, and professional development on the part of the instructors, but remember: effective teaching practices are fundamentally the same regardless of the delivery method. While the traditional oral lecture may be taken from written notes in an abbreviated form, ITV courses require a great deal of groundwork in terms of material preparation, awareness of physical presentation, and forethought regarding provision of materials and assignments to remote site students.
One of the greatest concerns for new ITV instructors is how they'll manage the technology. Fortunately for instructors using the NETnet Classroom equipment, the system is controlled from a very user-friendly touch panel screen located on the Lectern Workstation. With the touch of a button, all these devices in the system are controlled -- TV monitors, VCR, projector and projection screen, local and remote cameras.
So, what's the in Lectern Workstation?
It houses a personal computer (PC), document camera,
and VCR, auxiliary inputs for additional devices like a second
VCR or digital camera, and a laptop connection with
audio. Whiteboard software (eBeam) allows the instructor
to save everything that's been written on the whiteboard, annotate it, and
email it to students or post it to the web.
What's more, the NETnet system has several other features to help make the technology transparent, including an auto-tracking instructor camera so teachers can walk freely around the room. NETnet Classrooms also have student cameras that are preset to automatically track to the student when the push-to-talk microphones are pressed, and two-step camera presets allow each instructor to individualize camera shots.
Back to topBe
sure to visit the NETnet Room Operation page and download the User's Guide
to NETnet Room Operation. You may also wish to download this Troubleshooting
the NETnet Classroom guide for faculty and tech support, and a Tech
Support/Facilitator Roles & Responsibilities checklist.
Select your browser's Back button to return to this page after
viewing or printing PDF files
Even with a system as easy to use as the NETnet Classroom, there are technological issues to consider before you begin to teach ITV courses. Be sure to check out all the Available Topics (in the left menu) in this Unit for even more information.
Before the Class:
Know who handles major technical problems and have their contact information handy
Develop a contingency plan for the remote site(s) and share it with the remote facilitator, who will follow it in the event of difficulties
For example, if you still have audio but no video, Plan B could be a discussion on a topic that supports the objectives of the lesson
During the Class:
If the remote site can still hear you, let them know there's a problem and direct them to the remote troubleshooter
If the remote site can only see you, use written instructions displayed on the document camera or whiteboard to direct them to the remote facilitator
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What's your Plan B?
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When designing the companion web page for your ITV course:
Analyze and understand the strengths and weaknesses of your delivery systems in terms of how they deliver the instruction and in terms of student’s needs and course requirements
Use technology because it enhances the delivery; not because it’s there
Select technology based on technological constraints; make sure the students have access to the required delivery technology (make sure they have the software they'll need - RealPlayer, PowerPoint, etc.)
Design the page to take into account the slowest network connection available to your students
Suggest other possible locations where students might be able to connect at faster speeds or as a back up in case they have computer problems at home – at local libraries or other schools
On your syllabus, remind students that technical difficulties are no excuse for failure to complete assignments on schedule, and they should plan their work schedule to allow sufficient time to complete all course requirements
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Some schools require ITV students and/or guest
lecturers to sign a 'talent release form,' giving the school permission to
videotape them in class.
This sample Student Conduct Contract and Waiver lets the students know what's expected of them in an ITV class, and also makes them aware that they'll be videotaped.
Here's a modified version of the sample talent release form used by Stephen F. Austin State University, in PDF format.
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Download
a free copy of Acrobat Reader to view PDF files |
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Click on the compass
to take an interactive self-assessment over technical considerations.
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WebQuestions2 software here. |
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Continue with Basic ITV Skills
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phone (903) 877-7510 / fax (903) 877-7430
