Distance Teaching with Vision.

Research into desktop videoconferencing in 1994 indicated it could be successfully used to improve the quality of interaction between students and teachers and to improve the quality of learning concepts and processes difficult to teach in non-visual distance education. This paper describes a desktop videoconferencing project trial between teachers at the Open Access College (Australia), a family of three primary aged students livij on a station in remote South Australia, and two medically disabled students (one studying primary subjects and the other a combination of primary and secondary subjects) in metropolitan Adelaide. Computers running ShareVision were placed at these three locations. One of the main objectives of the study wa3 to determine if desktop video conferencing: (1) makes learning easier and more personal for students; (2) offers improved learning opportunities for concepts and processes that have traditionally provee difficult to address; (3) encourages more meaningful teacher-student interaction, empowering the students and advancing the equity between the two; and (4) promotes student involvement. Results showed: the students on the outback station each believed they received better contact with their teachers; the medically disabled students exceeded all expectations for improvement; and the teachers using ShareVision(TM), who had little or no experience in computers at the beginning of the project, are now competent and literate with the technology. ShareVision(TM) also enables a closer contact between parents and teachers. The teachers and students involved in the trial all say that the “face-to-face” contact achieved with ShareVision(TM) and the increased interactivity it generates is what sets it apart from other technologies used in distance education. (AEF) Distance Teaching With Vision U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION office ot Educatona! Research and Irnprovemern. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) O This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. o Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Roger Edmonds Project Officer Alternative Delivery Systems Open Access College [email protected] Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. This short article describes a desktop videoconferencing project trial begun in July, 1995 between teachers at the Open Access College and: a family of three students living on a station in remote South Australia. two medically disabled students in metropolitan Adelaide Teaching the curriculum by distance education to these students usually involves contact with their teachers by telephone or HF radio once a week with students posting their written work for marking and comments. Often the time for the round journey of posting in, marking and posting back can take between 2-4 weeks. Teachers make face to face visits to their students only once or twice a year. Research into desktop videoconferencing in 1994 indicated it could be used successfully to improve the quality of interaction between students and teachers and to improve the quality of learning concepts and processes difficult to teach in the non-visual mode of distance education. Desk-top videoconferencing incorporates videophone technology on a computer. When teachers make a desktop videophone call with ShareVisionTM they simultaneously talk, see their students and interactively share a whiteboard or computer program all over one ordinary telephone line. In the project trial we placed computers running ShareVisionTM into: the homes of two students enrolled with the OAC as medical conditions precluded them from attending face to face lessons in a DECS school during 1995 and 1996. One student was studying secondary subjects and the other a combination of primary and secondary. The ShareyisionTM computer remained with each student for a period of at least one semester. another ShareVisionTm computer was placed into a family of three primary aged students living on a station in remote South Australia. Students were taught during 1995 from teachers at the Marden Campus and in 1996 by teachers at Port Augusta Schooi Of The Air Campus. OAC teachers and the students were trained with teachers beginning regular delivery of ShareVisionTM lessons during Term 2 and 3, 1995. Most lessons are 30-45 minutes in duration. Subjects being taught include Year 1 Language, Year 6/7 English Language, Year 6/7 Maths, Year 6/7 Society and Environment, Year 9 Maths and Year 9 Society & Environment. Over 60 lessons have been delivered to the students during the trial. Lessons are usually delivered once per week from a ShareVisionTM workstation in the OAC.