DLC/VC Classrooms

Gladewater County Line Independent School District

Gladewater, TX

Etiquette in the Classrooms

Students and teachers should be made aware of the following points:

· Arrive early—Sessions will being and end on time.

· Be prepared to make introductions—Teachers will be asked to identify the site and give the number of students attending.  This encourages interaction between the sites and helps the presenters.

· Speak loudly and slowly—Teachers need to really work with the students on projecting their voices.  One teacher told the students to use their “playground voices.”  The microphones are in the ceiling, so students have to speak loudly.  Also, be aware that there is a 2-3 second delay in audio, so give the speakers a few seconds to hear what you say.  Avoid saying “Do you hear me?”

· Move and gesture normally—Wiggling and moving quickly is very distracting to other participants.

· Stay in camera sight—This is very important if the students are presenting or talking.  The facilitator will be mainly responsible for this, but classes need to be aware when planning and preparing for a presentation to a remote site.  The facilitator must be aware of what you will be doing, so she will be prepared to have the cameras in the right place at the right time.

· Mute microphones—Usually the facilitators will keep the microphones for the site muted when they are not needed.  This prevents the cameras from changing the picture on the screen unnecessarily.  Remember that the classrooms have voice activated video systems.

· Avoid interrupting the speaker—Remember that there is a 2-3 second delay in the audio.

· Enhance presentations with audio/visual aids—Using pictures, objects, video and/or audio clips, etc. can add to the effectiveness of a presentation.  Use large, bold text for graphics with simple fonts.  Use colors in the middle of the color spectrum.  Avoid major contrasts like black letters on white paper;  instead, maybe use black letters on pastel yellow.  Allow time for the remote sites to view the graphics or aids that you use in your presentations.

· Copyrighted materials—Use of copyrighted resources in VC classrooms requires permission.

· Opportunity to ask questions and say good-byes—The presenters will allow time for students to ask questions.  Teachers need to discuss possible questions before the program to prepare the students.

·  Exercise patience—Everyone must have patience when the remote sites are on camera.  Although VC is an interactive environment, each site must take turns.

· Make audio/video problems known to other sites—This is very important; do not hesitate to say something.  The presenter and/or facilitator often times can correct any technical problems so everyone can benefit from the program.

· When interrupting, identify location—The teacher should always state his/her name and give the site name so the presenter will be able to address the correct person.

 

 

 

Glenda Hickey—Admin      

903-845-6991, ext. 622

E-Mail:  hickeyg@gladewaterisd.com

To contact us:

Dianne Keller—High School

(903) 845-5591, ext. 526

Classroom Phone and Fax:

   903-845-1633

E-mail: keller@gladewaterisd.com

GISD

Participants in a videoconference should know how to act and to respond to activities and presentations.  Behavior in the DLC must be defined in a way to allow all students to benefit from the interaction between the different sites.