Video conferencing in schools is becoming an increasingly widespread teaching phenomenon. The technology brings exciting possibilities - students can talk to authors, famous figures, and other educators from a distance, connect with classrooms around the world, improve language skills, and access tutoring and distance learning with greater ease (Morgan, 2013). There is clearly an e-safety concern with video conferencing within the classroom environment, but if carefully managed, this can be a great tool for schools On 19th September 2016, my PGCE Primary Science class had the chance to watch a live stream of a Year 4 Science lesson from a primary school in Cornwall. The lesson was based around the KS1 topic of Sound, and was fully integrated in their cross-curricular topic of Vikings. The class investigated Viking battle horns, how they were made and how they produced scary, loud sounds. They tested out different instruments and worked out which would be the loudest, scariest, and easiest to plan. The lesson also involved the introduction and discussion of key concepts such as amplitude, pitch, and working scientifically. Although very enjoyable for the Science content, the lesson was very interesting from a Computing point of view. We were using Skype to connect with the class, in an example of the way in which video conferencing is being used in modern classrooms to connect children, practitioners, and professionals. The quality of the video call was not fantastic, and it was difficult to hear the children's responses, but it was fantastic to be able to watch the lesson from the comfort of our university classroom. I was also surprised that the call did not seem to be too much of a distraction for the teacher or students; although there was some jumping around at the beginning, this stopped after a few minutes, and the children did not seem to notice that the Skype session was still active. The video call also gave us the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the lesson - trainees moved to the tutor's laptop and directed questions at children who had volunteered. I asked a question about whether or not a child found it useful to have 'talking time' with a partner in class, and why. His answer, that it was 'useful to find out what other people think, as it is usually different to you', ties very nicely into our current focus on Dialogic pedagogy in English (see Alexander, 2000). Technology was also fully integrated into the lesson. The child used iPads to record their investigations and research the topic, with each table assigned a 'Resource Manager' to collect and use the device. The teacher used another iPad to record individual children and group work, which were to be compiled as a video record of achievement for each child. This is something I have not seen before, and it seems an exciting, if time-consuming, avenue I could explore in my own classroom. The teacher also explained that there is a Tech Club that runs at lunchtimes, and the children who attend are appointed 'Digital Leaders'. These students help trouble-shoot issues for their peers in lessons, and reduce the burden on the class teacher. We were able to view these children moving to help others with their iPads during the session. This initiative is a great way to give children extra skills, responsibility and ownership within the school environment, and fits into the Citizenship and British Values element of the National Curriculum and Section 2 of the Teaching Standards. The session was very exciting and rewarding for me as a trainee, especially as it came so early in my PGCE year. It was fantastic to be able to learn good practice from an Outstanding teacher, and observe an excellent Science lesson delivered with tech integrated throughout. It gave me a lot of ideas for my own future lessons, and this seemed to be shared by my fellow trainees, as there was a real buzz both during and after the session. Additional Links
Microsoft's guide to using Skype in the classroom - www.education.microsoft.com/skype-in-the-classroom/overview Interesting ideas for Skype in the classroom - www.edudemic.com/skype-in-classroom Unofficial guide to collaborating with other schools via Skype - www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/6573 A teacher's blog about using Skype in schools - www.blogs.skype.com/2016/08/25/a-teachers-journey-with-skype-in-the-classroom Skype and the study of English in Japan - how Skype is used to facilitate conversation and language skills - http://www.camtesol.org/Download/Earlier_Publications/Selected_Papers_Vol.5_2009.pdf#page=174 Messner, K., (2009) 'Met Any Good Authors Lately?' - how Skype can be used for virtual visits from authors- www.slj.com/2009/08/programs/met-any-good-authors-lately Bibliography Morgan, H. (2013), Technology in the Classroom: Using Skype for Exciting Projects Childhood Education Vol. 89 , Iss. 3, Pages 197-199 Available online - http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00094056.2013.793076?journalCode=uced20
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