Not long ago a supervising faculty member from an institution of higher education contacted me. She indicated that she had over 8 students to observe in our district alone...17 miles from her location...not including those from other districts. Combined with the others she has to observe, that amounts to a LOT of driving.
She asked if there was a way to observe them online in real time so as to cut down on driving time and make the observation process more time and cost-effective. There is! Using Web 2.0 technology, it's entirely possible, low-cost, and easy to implement with a minimum of effort.
Needed:
1. An Internet connection on each end (observer and student at remote location). Wireless will do but wired is preferable.
2. Web cam: Built-in web cams come with most newer laptops. Those in the $25-$40 range should serve this purpose well. Read the user reviews. Buy a recognized name rand. I've used the MACALLY USB 2.0 Video Web Camera with Microphone (http://preview.tinyurl.com/webicecam) with great success. Cost as of this posting: $27.92
3. A headphone with and microscope boom. My personal preference: CYBER ACOUSTICS OEM STEREO HEADSET from http://tinyurl.com/cyberacoustics Cost as of this posting: $6.95.
4. Software: Skype or Oovoo. In our district, we're using Oovoo. Both applications are free.
5. Optional but highly recommended: A USB extension cable enabling the web cam to be manually held and used to track the student teacher as he or she moves throughout the classroom. This can be done by the school classroom's cooperating teacher.
Following the remote observation session, the remote observer and the student can hold a debriefing session using the same videoteleconferencing software. If a "premium" plan is purchased, capabilities exist to record and capture the entire session to be saved as a movie file for inclusion in the student's digital portfolio.
Oovoo has such capabilities.
Charlie,
ReplyDeleteI am using web cam observations and conferencing more and more now..I have to be from Wetzel to Boone and in between plus east and west of Charleston..my travels are over 500+ miles a week..this will never take the place of the one to one observations or personal conversations but I find that I love this concept..I am using SKYPE with the participants since they have actually heard of it and ooVoo freaked them out..up grades with the next group..we also supplied all the webcams...WVDE is supporting this initiative also..
Linda,
ReplyDeleteYou technology repertoire is growing by leaps and bounds! Did you ever envision yourself using technology in this manner?
Using the technology to observe and debrief remotely from afar is so simplistic in its application. The return on the investment, when considering time, gas, wear and tear, potential for accidents, etc. far outweighs the cost of setup and implementation!
It's also gratifying to know that WVDE supports this method of observation. Kudos to them.
Missing you in Marion,
Charlie