Videoconferencing Best Practices and Virtual Field Trips

On Monday, I facilitated our spring 2009 Videoconferencing: Best Practices and Virtual Field Trips seminar. Despite a rocky technical start (the MCU dropped ALL sites about 5 minutes before we were supposed to start), the seminar did seem to go rather well. It involved an abbreviated virtual field trip from the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History (who did demonstrations from their All About Matter program) and a presentation from CILC about their virtual field trip resources, as well as a brief overview of the MUSE social network community, MAGPI resources and videoconferencing set-up, etiquette and tips for integrating into the curriculum.

As I was preparing for this seminar, I realized that what was really missing from it was a list of helpful links for educators new to using this tool. So I spent some time today collecting some of my favorite videoconference resources:

Finding Virtual Field Trips/Content Providers
(*not all are I2-based virtual field trips)

• MAGPI Programs
  
• Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
  
• Berrien County RESA Content Provider Database
  
• Connect2 Texas
  
• Global Leap
  
• Global Nomads

Finding Partners to Do Collaborative Projects Using Videoconferencing

• Internet2 K20 Muse Network
  
• Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration
  
• Collaborations Around the Planet
  
• Megaconference Jr. Mailing List
  

Great Resources for Getting Started with Videoconferencing

• TWICE’s “Getting Started” Guide
  
• Videoconferencing Instructional Strategies
  
• Hawaii’s Department of Education VC Guide (great video tutorials for using the Polycom VSX 7000)
• MAGPI's H.323 Videoconferencing Resources
• Videoconferencing in Education NING Community
• ISTE Interactive Videoconference Special Interest Group
  

Videoconferencing Etiquette and Best Practices

• ViDe Cookbook
• Even the Emily Post Institute has etiquette guides for videoconferencing!
• UWTV Videoconference Zone Video
  

Some of My Favorite VC Blogs

• Videoconferencing Out on a Lim
• VC Rox
• Videoconference at Edublogs
• LDLC Pageflakes