VLN Training
•Multi-pronged approach• In room training•Online tool practice•Documentation• In class support
Show of Hands
Introductions“Three-quarters of college graduates have
moved at least once, compared with just over half of Americans with no more than a high school diploma.” (Cohn and Morin 2008)
“jobs are typically one of the key magnets that induce people to move.” (Cohn and Morin 2008)
http://pewsocialtrends.org/2008/12/17/who-moves-who-stays-put-wheres-home/
PSU Outreach VLN Technical Training and
Best Teaching Practices
Technical Training Agenda
Technical Training
Start-Up Procedures
Video Conferencing Tools
Content Sharing
Document Camera
Shut-Down Procedures
Start-Up ContinuedLighting & Blinds
Start-Up Information
AMX Touch Panel
- Touch anywhere on the screen to activate the system.
- The following screen will appear.
Start-Up Continued Presentation Mode:
- All participants present in room.
- No video conferencing element.
Receive Site Video Conference Mode:
- Podium Mat is deactivated.
- Student camera is set as default.
Broadcast Site Video Conference Mode:
- Podium Mat is active.
- Podium camera is set as default.
Start-Up Continued
Once you have chosen a mode:
The projector will warm up.
This message will be displayed.
The screen will automatically lower.
Start-Up Continued The projector screen can still
be raised & lowered manually.
There is a picture mute button in the program – displayed on the lower right hand side of the screen.
Video Conferencing Modes
Three Main Areas to Consider
1. Dialing/Connecting to Remote Sites
2. Camera Views & Controls
3. Sound Systems & Controls
Switching Modes To Switch from Presentation to Video Conferencing:
1st – Select the “System Off/Back”
button – located in bottom
left corner of screen.
2nd – Select the new mode that you would like to use.
To Switch Between Receive & Broadcast Modes
- Simply push the “Receive Site” or “Broadcast Site”
button under the main control tab.
Dialing ProceduresGo to the Dial Menu at the top of the screen.
Enter an IP address or bridge number in the black box, using the numbers on the AMX Touch Panel.
If using the directory, use the Polycom control arrows & enter buttons to navigate, while looking at the monitor:
- Use directional keys to find the correct location.
- Hit the “Enter” button to dial that location.
When dialing a bridge session, you will need to enter a password – surrounded by #s. (ex. #1234#)
To disconnect, press the red “Hang Up” button.
Cameras
Podium Mat
Instructor on Mat
Note: Any weight will activate the mat.
(Instructor, Chair, or Briefcase)
Instructor not on Mat
Camera Control
The following controls are under the “Camera Control” tab.
3 Sound Sources
1. – Presenter's Wireless
Microphone
2. – Students’ Push-to-Talk
Buttons
3. – PC, DVD, VHS
Extra batteries
Be aware of placement
Must hold to speak
Two second delay
Data shares to follow
Volume Control
Note 1:
Muting the volume from this area will only mute the local end. The far side will still hear.
Note 2:
This means that the speakers are on.
Four Types of Content Sharing
Room PC
Laptop
Document Camera
DVD/VHS
Connecting a LaptopConnect VGA cable into laptop
(may need adaptor for Macs).
Connect VGA cable into the
external computer connection
on the right side of podium.
Connect audio cable to headphone jack on laptop.
Connect audio cable to small hole on right side of podium.Note: If the desktop doesn’t appear on the screen, push Fn+F8 for PC & Fn+F7 for Mac.
Document Camera
Activities:
Presentations
(Instructor or Student)
Peer Editing
Experiments/Lab Work
Jigsaw Notes/Topics
3-D objects/action
DVD/VHS
Podium PracticePlease step up to
the Podium for a brief exercise
Shut Down
Choose the “System Off/Back” button
Select “Yes”
Wait for the system to shut down
Troubleshooting Tips If you experience trouble with content sharing, try
sharing another source first & then switch back. Also try having the remote site share first & then switch back.
If you experience trouble receiving audio or video from the remote site, try hanging up & calling again.
When in doubt, restart the system by going to the “System Off/Back” button – but be aware that this will take several minutes of class time & should be used as a last resort.
SupportProjector bulbs burn out, dry erase markers… dry out. Chalk breaks, hard drives fail, VHS tapes unravel,
PowerPoint images fail to display, web sites go down, Thunderstorms cause power outages, professors get flat tires, IT staff get flat tires…
Photocredit: Mailer_diablo wikimedia commons
Get it in one takeShow up on time, know your lines, and hit your mark
Show up early
It takes time to
•Load Video Clips
•Transfer Files to a Podium Computer
•Log on to Computers
•Connect Laptops
•Load websites
Know your Lines
It’s a little harder to “wing it” in a VLN course.
•Need to “translate” items used in other courses
•3+ hours of class
•Some items may need to be placed online or printed ahead of time
•Course “flow” harder to maintain
Hit your Mark
Know where you need to be to show up on camera
•Two pre-sets for instructor, on mat, off mat.
•Use them both, but don’t jump back and forth between them constantly.
•Use the image on the monitor at the back of the room as a guide.
•Mentally draw lines for yourself: ”if I lean this way too far, I’ll be off camera at the podium.”
Photo CC Chris Campbell (http://www.flickr.com/people/cgc/)
Copyright
•Short video clips from larger works are usually ok
•Materials intended for educational use are NOT covered by the teach act (students are supposed to buy their own textbooks)
•Take copyright into consideration especially if you plan to record class sessions