Skype+-+Preparation

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PREPARING FOR THE VIDEOCONFERENCE

 * ===**Preparing the Speaker**===
 * Speaker should be contacted well in advance.
 * Times given should be only in the speaker's time zone. To accurately give information, feel free to use the World Clock Meeting Planner that allows teachers to know exactly what time it will be in other countries at any time of the day.
 * Speakers should plan on speaking about 5-10 minutes before taking Q & A. Due to the nature of videoconferences (and lectures in general), the pre-Q/A part should not be longer. The speaker should take 30-45 minutes of Q/A depending on the topic and students.
 * Do a test run in advance!!! (Not the day of!)
 * Teachers should be encouraged to interact with the students however possible (examples: using their names, having them look at something in the room, describing what they are seeing, calling on people for the questions, etc)
 * FYI #1: A 3-way Skype is supposed to be possible now. I have yet to try it though.
 * FYI #2: Another way to do a videoconference (instead of via Skype)
 * Elluminate -- Free...allows people to post slides during videoconference and for live chatting to occur
 * ===**Preparing the Students**===
 * Many ways to do this...suggestions include having speaker @ end of a unit, students doing research in advance, already having questions ready, etc.
 * Either way, I emphasize that many people need to get involved and ask questions...their learning/enjoyment is about asking questions.
 * ===**Preparing the Room**===
 * It is surprising the # of things to consider...in no particular order, here are several of them:
 * Audio:
 * The speakers need to be away from the computer as much as possible. Due to the cord lengths, that is not always possible.
 * If there is bad feedback/audio, try turning down the sound from the speakers. This almost always helps.
 * Chairs:
 * Take away the desks (unless used as a back row of seating)
 * Make sure all chairs can be seen by the interviewee. One way to test this is to have "Photo Booth" open in advance.
 * Computer/Projector:
 * The computer should be (a) relatively high because the computer needs to be angled down to avoid the projector's light, (b) set up several feet from the screen for the same reason, and (c) in the center of the room so the speaker can make natural eye contact with the students.

Video
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