Cultural Connections Interactive Videoconference
Checklist for Promoting a Beneficial Learning Environment

Speaker Conventions
_____ Speaker says his/her name when addressing the class.
_____ Speaker raises his/her hand to identify him/herself as speaker.
_____ Speaker addresses the camera rather than others in room or monitor.
_____ Speaker speaks loudly enough to be heard at far end, speaks to microphone.
_____ Speaker addresses students at both ends by name before beginning remarks.

Facilitator Conventions
_____ Facilitator utilizes seating chart for consistent student locations.
_____ Facilitator sets camera presets to allow a fairly close view of the speaker
_____ Facilitator offers feedback to students at far end.
_____ Facilitator promotes interaction between students at both ends.
_____ Facilitator redirects sidetalk to full group discussion.

Preparation Conventions:
_____ Presentations call for feedback from students
_____ Presentations utilize multimedia
_____ Materials are faxed/mailed prior to start of meeting
_____ Materials in document camera (Elmo) are stationary when possible
_____ Picture in a picture activated at both ends to provide context to near end students.
_____ Mikes active at both ends.
_____ [Group work is conducted with muted mikes or before videoconference session]

A Diary of the Videoconference:  Things to Watch for in next Session:

_____ Side conversation
_____ Some students not paying attention, disengaged
_____ Lesson boring, not meaningful
_____ Students afraid to take risks, be creative
_____ One-sided/one direction conversation between teacher/student or student/student in
           presentations/collaborative work
_____ Lack of eye contact between participants
_____ Needed materials unavailable
_____ Noise
_____ Students or teacher can’t hear each other

Things that worked well:
_____ Students motivated by meaningful lesson objectives
_____ Students are active learners, active participants.
_____ Student/teacher & student/student interaction,  feedback, encouragement, questions
 _____ Multimedia format: address diverse learning styles and capture attention of students.
 _____ Students are focused on task at hand.
 _____ Students willing to take risks.
 _____ New ideas presented.

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