Tandberg Video Conferencing
Summary
In April of last school year, a large glassed in box on wheels arrived mysteriously in my library (picture to the right). The only thing I knew about it was that it was not to be removed from the library. Right as we were beginning the Action Learning Action Research project this semester, I finally received some training on the mystery box. It was a Tandberg Video Conferencing Device that can be used to communicate via video with other schools.
The media specialists in my district discussed ways to use this device in our libraries. We discussed using it to communicate with other schools across our county. We also wanted to incorporate virtual author visits into our library time with our students. I worked together with our IT director and other media specialist to create a Tandberg Video cheat sheet for users of the device.
In my own library, I introduced the machine to my 3rd grade students and let them explore the controls. We then video chatted with another elementary school in our district and my students received a pen pal from that school. They had the opportunity to come up with questions to ask their pen pal and were able to chat with them in a video conference.
Due to budget and timing issues, an author visit did not work out for this semester, but I will be working with other schools to have a visit broadcast to several schools at once to alleviate some of the cost at one school. I will also be conducting a training after Christmas for teachers within my school to show them how to use the Tandberg Video Conferencing Device.
The media specialists in my district discussed ways to use this device in our libraries. We discussed using it to communicate with other schools across our county. We also wanted to incorporate virtual author visits into our library time with our students. I worked together with our IT director and other media specialist to create a Tandberg Video cheat sheet for users of the device.
In my own library, I introduced the machine to my 3rd grade students and let them explore the controls. We then video chatted with another elementary school in our district and my students received a pen pal from that school. They had the opportunity to come up with questions to ask their pen pal and were able to chat with them in a video conference.
Due to budget and timing issues, an author visit did not work out for this semester, but I will be working with other schools to have a visit broadcast to several schools at once to alleviate some of the cost at one school. I will also be conducting a training after Christmas for teachers within my school to show them how to use the Tandberg Video Conferencing Device.
Tandberg Video Conferencing Device
This is what the conferencing device looks like. It has a projector to project onto any white surface, so you will be able to see the people you are talking to. On the top is the camera that will be directed at the person who is talking from our school.
Tandberg Quick Reference Guide
This is a guide to using the Tandberg Video Conferencing Device, provided by the company who makes the device.
Tandberg Cheat Sheet
This is a screen shot of the cheat sheet that was created for teachers and media specialists when using the Tandberg device. It includes numbers to call any school in our district using the device. It also has some websites attached for conducting author visits using the system.
Links for Guides
Video Conferencing Tutorial
Video conferencing basics using a Tandberg Cisco MXP video conference unit at Deakin University