This post is part of a series of posts with some of the results from a survey of my top VC-using teachers. Read more about it in the first post of this series. Remember, they are using videoconferencing to support curriculum instruction (not full length courses).
The question featured in this post is the following:
Please identify and describe a key experience that helps sustain your use of videoconferencing.
This is a qualitative representation of the data using Wordle. Click the graphic for a larger version.
This Wordle is a great confirmation of Owston’s (2007) model on the sustainability of an innovation. He suggests that an essential condition (among others) for sustainability is that the students must support the innovation. Clearly these teachers see the value of videoconferencing to their students. Here are a few full quotes:
A key experience that motivates me to continue using videoconferencing is the fact that my students are able to communicate with other classrooms, authors, and educators around the world. –Wendy Zahrn, 4th grade, Sylvester Elementary, Berrien Springs
Connecting kids to experiences outside of our community without leaving the school! -Tami Miller, 2nd grade, Eagle Lake Elementary, Edwardsburg
The comments the students were making and the level of understanding they had was amazing. -Lacy Payne, 6th grade, F.C. Reed Middle School, Bridgman
The students enthusiasm! They love to VC. -Karen Ennesser, 7th grade science, Dowagiac Middle School, Dowagiac
These are interactive field trips that we don’t even have to leave the building for. Students walk away with new knowledge and experiences. -Dori Hughes, 2nd grade, Eagle Lake Elementary, Edwardsburg
When I see the students interact, with great interest, listening to the speaker or other classroom, I’m delighted to see their involvement. -Peggy Clore, 5-7th language arts, Coloma Middle School, Coloma
I LOVE videoconferencing! It gives my kids exposure to things we couldn’t otherwise do. It gives them practice in presenting & performing skills and is just so much fun! -Heidi Clark, 1st grade teacher, Three Oaks Elementary, River Valley
So, how would you answer this question? What keeps you going in sustaining the use of videoconferencing in your classroom or school? Please comment….
Reference: Owston, R. (2007). Contextual factors that sustain innovative pedagogical practice using technology: an international study. Journal of Educational Change, 8(1), 61-77. doi:10.1007/s10833-006-9006-6
Knowing that my students – who are all different in their studying habits – will be able to participate in classwork activities.
VC is comfortable and still puts you face to face with who you are engaged in to learn and create different study environment.
I agree with the comment. Being able to give students experiences different from what they are use to with out leaving the school is a great tool for any teacher.
I agree. A real application in math would provide students with a new experience different from the drill and kill.
I love how students can connect with others outside of their own school.
Making those connections is what it is all about.
I agree, this definitely allows students to make connections to people and places all around the world that they may not have been able to do before.
I agree students study in different ways and this may be a great tool for some students.
Sustaining use of VC will truly aid students with studying and exposure.
Well I do not have any such key experiences because I do not employ sustained use of VC in my classroom; but I think the first time I noticed a student has gained a deep and masterful understanding of any concept as a result of a VC, it would be worth it to me.
Knowing that education looks different than it did when I was a student, I am pushed to introduce a variety of ways that students can learn.
I do not currently use this in my classroom but I’m interested in getting more involved with trying it out.
I used this several years ago and want to get more experience on this.
I am looking forward to use it and enhance the learning experience of my students.
I am looking forward to using more of this in my classroom.
I am looking forward to using it. I know that this well help keep my students engaged in our learning.
I do not currently use this technology, but can’t wait to implement it into my classroom!
I am a first year teacher, so I have yet to use this sort of technology in my classroom. But this is definitely something that I plan on using in the future and I am super excited about that!
I have not used this technique but am looking forward to using it in the future.
I have not used this technology in the classroom as of yet. I am looking forward to it being used in the future.
I agree with Vickie.I am also looking forward to using this technology with my students in the future.
I am looking forward to the excitement this technology will generate.
I am looking forward to using video conferencing to have interactive field trips or speaking with people whose concentrations are specific types of literature or authors that we are studying at the time and can give greater insight than I can on my own.
I feel extremely excited to be able to use video conferencing in the future as a tool to establish art tours and being able to have that interaction.
I am eager to use video conferencing in the future.
Gina Willmon says: Video conferencing will definitely broaden students horizons without leaving the classroom.
Knowing that education can look differently, and this allows all different types of learners to be engaged. I have no personal experience, but can see the benefits.
Video conferencing is a way for my students to interact with their peers and students from other schools/campuses.
Video conferencing allows students to actively engage in their own learning as they gain new knowledge about a specific topic.
What keeps me going in sustaining the use of videoconferencing is knowing I am facilitating and scaffolding our students to reach their goals. I am able to use a new and innovative teaching tool.
I look forward to using videoconferencing more. It’s a great tool.
I want my students to have more engaging experiences.
Education is so different nowadays and changing daily – with this type of experience I can only consider a great tool to implement.
I am hoping to experience the video conferencing soon.
I can not identify or describe a key experience that helps sustain my use of videoconferencing because I did not think of this possibility before this course. Now that I am aware of videoconferencing in the classroom, I am excited to think of the many different ways that my scholars will be able to learn from being apart of it.
I have used IVC in my classroom experience but I find a lesson in which it could be helpful.
Since I have yet to use this tech I suppose I would continue to use it if it proved to capture my student’s imagination.
I have not used this strategy yet.
Having never used it, I would like to see how the efeects of VC would work in my classroom
I have not used this in classroom yet.
Unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to use this in my classroom but I would love it because it would allow the students to be exposed to a new way of learning.
I enjoy using VC, but sometimes forget to incorporate it into everyday learning. I need to remember that it is a wonderful tool.
I have not yet used this in the classroom
I have not had an opportunity to use this in the classroom, however I plan on utilizing it in the future.
Wanda Poindexter
January 6, 2017 2:38 pm
I am a dyslexia therapist and have to stay with the program. I can use it with our comprehension part of the lesson.
I have never heard of this unique tool until this course, but it seems like a very useful thing to use in the classroom. It can give the students a chance to explore different worlds and learn new things that a lot of schools cant do. It can keep the students engaged in the lesson and let them have role models to look up too for different career possibilities.
VC is amazing
Video conferencing allow students to experience new information from an expert without leaving the classroom.
VC will excite all my students and broaden their horizons without leaving my classroom
I haven’t used this in my classroom to date, but I do intend to use it in the future.
I am constantly trying to find ways that will keep my students engaged in the concept we are learning. It takes my students out of the classroom without leaving the classroom.
Learning is good! Finding time to learn to use VC will be the challenge.
Have never participated
I haven’t used it yet, BUT, I will consider for afterschool enrichment.
I haven’t used it in my classroom this year being my first year to teach. Hopefully, I will have opportunity to use the virtual field trips in the future.
I haven’t used IVC in my classroom, but I think the benefit for the students will encourage me to attempt to use it in the upcoming year!
I haven’t used this in my classroom but it would be so cool to provide these experience to students from the comfort of their seat.
Opening new windows to opportunities. Becoming more comfortable with technology that they may use in their adult life.
This is just another great tool that can be used to enhance the learning enviroment.
My kids would be exposed to so many different points of view besides their little country town.
Bringing real life into the classroom that students may not be able to connect with outside of the classroom.
Scheduling a speaker for the entire day is something that seems difficult for me to conceptualize. My classes go from 8:25am – 3pm and are 46 minutes in length. We also have three teachers in 6th grade Social Studies, so I would have to either group all students or have multiple speakers for separate classes. I know it’s possible, but the logistics keep me from attempting in class.
Madison, this is a really good point. It’s definitely more difficult for middle school and high school to do these kinds of events because of the challenge of having the same experience for each section. Some creative solutions I’ve seen is rearranging the schedule for one major event for everyone to participate each year. When I was coordinating MysteryQuest, I had several schools who each year would have all of their sections participate. Another option, for an event with NASA or a special speaker, is to have all the sections meet at the same time for the event. Still, I fully get it that it’s challenging!
I like being able to bring things into my classroom that they may not see anywhere else.
Seeing the excitement and interest in the eyes of my students. This opens up the world to them.
I haven’t used it but, I will try it in my classroom.
I would love to be able to do that with my students.
I’d love to have access to this technology in my classroom
I would love to have access to this in my classroom.
I would love to have the ability to use these features in my classroom.
Vc will enrich the learning in my students.
VC allows for ultimate engagement of all students.
I definitely plan to use VC in the near future as I try to advance my teaching strategies to the next level.
Using VC will enhance student learning in my classroom.
I have yet to use VC in the classroom but believe it would be a great tool that would help keep the students engaged in learning.
This would give the students variety in the classroom. Opportunities they might not have otherwise.
Great tool to enhance learning and draw students in!
This would give the students a chance to see things they may never get a chance to. I teach Pre-K in a low income setting. This allows for a chance to expand on the children’s experiences with cost to families or schools.