Video conferencing - do you use it? would you use it?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sophie Lieberman on October 18, 2010 at 8:36am

Hi Emma

This is being used quite comprehensively at the Australian Museum which runs regular programming as part of it's schools programming. We invested in the technology (tanberg) about 2 years ago and after some trialling we found that demand from schools was heavy. The advantges were many not least being able to reach schools that we otherwise would never have been able to service because of distance etc....we also found new life for programs like Museum in A Box - where we were able to send specimens and value add with educator led sessions- and Web2Spider, which was conceived of as an online program but we could support class use with sessions with our scientists. It also opened up possibilities in teacher training with our 'outreach' resources. And we have worked with other institutions to produce programs for 'festivals' around National Science Week and World Environment Day.

Where it has been less easy to adapt has been with communities. Mostly because there is little support for access at the "other end". This is seen as a possible next step but with stretched resources it tends to be the easy things that get taken up....

There are also questions about platforms and adoption. Following on the last point, if communitites aren't using vc then should we bother? especially where there is skype, live streaming and other possibilies. another case of audience appropriate platform use. the advantage of non-vc platforms is that they are often free and don't require expensive hardware, maitainence contracts etc...and that audiences are already 'there'.

I have left the AM (last friday) but Karen Player in Learning Services is the champion of VC at the AM. Our partner in all this has been the NSWDET's Connections program - David Foley actively sought our involvement and to build relationships with Museums to provide conent to schools. If you can find him he is an enthusiastic and generous source of information.

Good luck

Sophie

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by EmmaB on October 24, 2010 at 9:14am

Hey Sophie

thank you for your reply and info - it's very much appreciated. I do agree with you with regards to community engagement and equipment expense issues - at this point I'll recommend that we don't just restrict our virtual interactive outreach via VC. I have found so far though that we are building high quality relationships with teachers, students and colleagues around NZ (and Australia to a little extent as well - I'm working on that) because of the ability to communicate face to face via VC.

I heard about the great work AM is doing and had already intended on making connections, so your endorsement and info means I'm on the right track. I have also recently met Dave F over in here in NZ - he attended a long distance learning conference here at Te Papa, he's very useful.

I'm going to be at the AM in November sometime, a shame you're no longer there! Good luck on your new endeavours.

cheers
Emma

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Pauline Fitzgerald on October 28, 2010 at 5:17pm

Hi Emma
I work in Community Learning at the State Library of NSW (ex AM) and we are right now in the midst of setting up facilities for VC at the State Library. It has been quite a journey to set up the technology but we are almost there and hope to have conducted a trial session before too long. The possibilities are endless and we are very keen to share our amazing collection and expertise with students in regional and remote areas. Karen at the AM has given us good advice is very generous in sharing her experiences. Museum 3 will provide the space for us to all learn together! Good luck and we'll keep you posted on our progress.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by EmmaB on November 4, 2010 at 11:21am

Hey Pauline

it is a big journey setting up VC facilities isn't it! Happily I missed out on that bit (was working in exhibitions for 2 years) and when I took over everything was pretty much all sorted. I do know we had firewall issues but they're sorted.
Would love to hear how you're getting on - maybe we can share experiences and notes - on here or via VC

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Adriana Bauer on November 4, 2010 at 8:47am

Emma

In reply to what schools are using for video conferencing: my husband is an author in Brisbane and has done video conferences with schools in Tasmania using Skype. He's only done two of these. Some more distant schools are starting to request these which are, of course, easier to organise and cheaper than flying down the presenter for a face-to-face delivery. Education Queensland have started using the Eluminate Live program to do their video conferencing and teacher PD throughout the state.

Good luck.

Adriana

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by EmmaB on November 4, 2010 at 11:40am

Kia ora Adriana

thanks for your reply and the useful information - I have to check out what other alternatives schools may be using - skype, Adobe Connect and Elluminate etc. Letting me know what QLD is using is also very useful. I'll find a contact there (have them in NSW and SA) and see what else I can learn.

Here in NZ our National Library did a series of VC's with some authors which sounded great. What i love about VC's and such is that subject experts (etc) can far more cheaply share their knowledge and help provide meaningful experiences.

cheers
Emma

• ▶ Reply