Communicating Effectively in the Videoconferencing Classroom

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Communicating Effectively in the
Videoconferencing Classroom
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General Considerations

• Practice using system in your classroom
• Students may need practice as well
• To establish rapport with class
• Warm-up activities/questions
• Communicate by name with every site
• Interact with every site regularly
• Allow for student interactions at sites

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General Considerations

• Develop Contingency Plan for
• Technical difficulties
• Inclement weather
• Illness/emergencies
• Canceling Class Contact Rita!

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Setting Expectations

• Distance learning is not learning light
• Essentiality of punctuality
• Start and end on time and be organized
• Disruptive when students come in late
• No chewing gum or eating food
• Establish system for communicating with students
  outside of class

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Audio

• Conduct audio check with all sites
• Speak in strong, clear voice, no mumbling
• Monitor pace-do not speed
• Develop speaking protocol for asking questions
• Microphones-does everyone know how to use one ?
• Background noise
• Be aware of audio delay
• Repeat all questions asked by students

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Clothing

• Best colors
• Blue, dark gray, brown, purple, dark green
• Worst colors
• White, ivory, light pastels
• Avoid
• Stripes, plaids, bold patterns
• Jewelry that clinks, rattles, or jingles

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Movement

• Should be gradual, relaxed, fluid
• Hands
• Use sparingly
• Avoid fiddling with clothing, papers, etc.
• Eyes
• Maintain contact with all sites
• Prompt students when making media and camera
  transitions
• Smile!