Table of Contents

Distance and Tele-Learning Program

A checklist for preparing your students

To ensure an effective distance and tele-learning experience for you and your students, it is important to keep the following considerations in mind.

Prior to the videoconference

A. Contact the CSA

Provide the CSA Distance and Tele-Learning Program staff with 3 dates and times of availability for each of 4 preparatory meetings:

Learn more about each meeting:

- Initial Telephone Conversation with CSA Workshop Host

A telephone conversation between the educator, CSA workshop host and Distance and Tele-Learning Specialist to discuss the pedagogical, logistical and technical components of the presentation. This meeting takes place 4 weeks prior to the distance or tele-learning workshop for a maximum of 1 hour.

- First Technical Test

A technical test between the school's videoconferencing technology and CSA facilities to assess the connectivity, audio quality and visual display of the videoconference equipment. This meeting takes place 4 weeks prior to the distance or tele-learning workshop for a maximum of 30 minutes.

- Practice Session

A presentation and activity practice session involving the educator, the CSA workshop host, the Distance and Tele-Learning Specialist and 4-5 students that act as a focus group. This meeting takes place 2-3 weeks prior to the event date for a maximum of 2 hours.

- Second Technical Test

A technical test between the school's videoconferencing technology and CSA facilities to assess the connectivity, audio quality and visual display of the videoconference equipment one last time. This meeting takes place 1 business day prior to the distance or tele-learning workshop for a maximum of 15 minutes.

B. Prepare your students

Integrate CSA learning resources recommended by the CSA Distance and Tele-Learning Specialist as a means of preparing your students for the workshop and as follow-up activities afterwards.

Be sure that the students are provided with the workshop host biography and know the topic of the learning session.

Once baseline science concepts have been taught, challenge students to prepare science or technology-related questions.

Have students research information on the topic on the CSA website, or at the library (optional).

Advise students of expectations for their participation and behaviour.

Assign support roles to each adult present during the workshop.

Assign roles to students taking part in group activities.

Review videoconference protocol and etiquette with students, such as how loudly to speak and how far from the microphone they should be located.

Advise students to avoid wearing dark colours such as black and navy, or patterns, horizontal stripes and shiny jewelry for the day of the videoconference because these are known to create unusual visual effects in the videoconference medium (optional).

C. Arrange and prepare the remote site

Establish a location for the videoconference.

Arrange the tables and chairs to ensure enough space to facilitate the hands-on segment of the workshop.

Prepare and sort all materials related to the activity in the appropriate quantities per group.

Divide students into small working groups (2-4 max).

Reserve or acquire a large screen and projector for the day of the videoconference to run the PowerPoint presentation next to the videoconference equipment. Note: The screen, projector and PowerPoint presentation will need to be tested.

If the videoconference will be held outside the school, meet with the facility representatives. Book the room and equipment at least 4 weeks ahead of time.

Ensure that the site has the necessary equipment.

D. Check equipment

Practice using your equipment.

Meet with the technician to advise on visuals and camera positions.

Test camera views and microphones with CSA staff and at event location.

On the day of the videoconference

Arrival

Arrive at the videoconference site at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

Ensure that the students are seated and in place at least 10 minutes before the start of the session and that they are all in the camera's view.

Turn on the equipment 2 hours prior to presentation time.

Keep the IP address/ISDN number and other contact numbers handy.

Videoconference etiquette

Leave your microphone on mute until you wish to speak.

Identify yourself when you speak.

Make eye contact and look directly at the camera.

Because of a slight time delay between speaking and receiving each message, advise students to wait until the speaker has finished answering.

Avoid side conversations with people in the room and making noises, since this will affect the audio quality of the videoconference.