Why? Just why? If you are running a virtual classroom then you and your students are not all in the same room, so why pretend? Why create a false visual hierarchy? What purpose does it serve except to extend and enhance a false sense of “normality” and control with students neatly staked in rows and the teacher at the “front”. Why try to re-create an old fashioned notion of a classroom and badge it as the “future now”.
More interesting thoughts around teaching va video conference.
Se also RE: Cameras on or off and Cameras On
I think Sheila nails the newness of this. Although we have been using video conferencing in education for a longish time, in internet years, we are just scratching the surface of it being a mainstay of delivering.
You cannot connect with students or understand their learning if you can’t see them. And nobody can be expected to share ideas that are important to them to group of hidden faceless peers. If you want students to talk, you’ll need cameras on.
A lot of good pushback on this in the replies. I certainly didn’t find the lack of camera a problem during our spring/summer lockdown. At that point Teams in Glow did not let pupils use cameras. I liked that as it meant I didn’t have to think about it.
Cameras off could help with privacy, bandwidth and possible feeling a bit more comfortable the teacher is not watching your every move and counting the toilet breaks.
Yeah, I think people somehow keep forgetting that there is literally a whole pandemic.
I don’t hear from a kid for a week and they pop back in and I tell them I missed them and am thrilled to see them.
“There was some stuff.”
Yup. Love you; glad you’re here.
Go ahead, video chat with the whole team. In fact, invite everyone you know. Jitsi Meet is a fully encrypted, 100% open source video conferencing solution that you can use all day, every day, for free — with no account needed.
That’s the honest truth about modern software, it’s vulnerable. It’s ALL vulnerable so you have a choice to use something that is honest about it’s vulnerabilities or hides behind the door of closed source providing an ignorance is bliss situation.
Some great information and food for thought, @johnmclear is not trying to sell the product. Relevant to @dgilmour’s link to creativecommons & #OER I don’t think this is the time to pivot tools, but one to keep in mind.
Glasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
This audio file was orginally posted to AudioBoo(m) with the mobile app. It has been downloaded and posted here since audioboom no longer supports free accounts.
