What is video conferencing?
Video conferencing allows people in different locations to have a conversation where they can see and hear each other talking. It is also known as video chat or a video call.
Video conferencing takes advantage of high-speed broadband connections to link users over the internet. The users install software on their computers and attach a webcam or camera and microphone. There are also specialist video-conferencing units. With a video call, you see the other person on your screen and hear them through your speakers or headphones. The images can also be projected onto a large screen or interactive whiteboard.
How video conferencing is used in school
Video-conferencing technology can be used to support traditional teaching and learning in many ways. For example:
• in PSHE, children can compare their diet with that of learners in another country
• in modern languages, children can chat with native speakers
• in science, pupils can talk to experts about a topic they are studying, or share a scientific event with users elsewhere.
“There are 530 students in the school in the far south west of Wales, but any geographic remoteness is countered by an active use of video conferencing. It's used within the school but also for links as far away as Botswana.” Maes Yr Haul Primary School
Benefits of video conferencing
One of the big benefits is bringing together learners in different locations, especially when a face-to-face visit is not possible.
Other benefits include:
• collaborative research, where children in different schools work together on the same project
• international understanding, where children can see how something in another country is different to how it is in Britain
• virtual trips, which allow children to ‘visit’ zoos, museums or hospitals and talk to experts without travelling.
Video conferencing in practice
Parkside Pupil Referral Unit in Ipswich works with youngsters with mental and medical health difficulties. The school uses ICT extensively to offer students a wide range of opportunities. They have a limited budget but use video conferencing to offer Spanish to groups of young people. The Spanish teacher is based in Wales, but she can see the class and they can all see her. They can practise talking and also see all the teacher’s documents on screen. The students like it because they can take it step by step.
Video courtesy of Be Very Afraid.