Remote Teaching to class in school

[mdrabble]

Has the following the email this morning from Deputy about using video cameras in a few teaching rooms.

 

 

The idea would be that a teacher who is not in school could teach a small group of students via Zoom on screen AND could simultaneously see and hear the class (using Zoom in ‘Exit Full Screen’ mode or on a separate platform…even a phone) via a camera in the classroom. The camera would hear audio as well, obviously. The best type of camera for this would be one that can move (we have two of these at home – Tenvis models); this would show the class that we are looking at them. I imagine these would have to be linked to the teacher’s home computer via a VPN?

 

The other alternative would be a camera and audio which can actually plug into the TV but I don’t think this is a starter….

 

Like I say, it would be for just a few classrooms – perhaps 3.

 

First, the deputy likes to tinker and considers himself a 'techie' person and thinks what he can do at home will work in school.

 

I have lost count the amount of times I have told SLT about not using Zoom as we have Teams - but they do what they do best - ignore people!

 

Anyway I haven't a clue where to start on such a system - so I am asking my fellow edugeekers if they can think of a solution to the above.

 

 

Cheers

Edited May 14, 2020 by mdrabble

[MkII]

As an LA run scheme to run 6th form classes in our remote area we have a PC with camera and speaker attached to and interactive TV running Teams. This runs across schools to save on transport costs. Logitech webcam, Jabra desk speaker. Headphones for the teacher on their laptop. Works ok.

 

We had an advisory from the LA this week about Zoom

"Zoom…… One of the most popular video conferencing apps in use during COVID-19 Council Staff can join in Zoom meetings hosted by others as a guest. When joining use the web version rather than installing the client software"

[mdrabble]

As an LA run scheme to run 6th form classes in our remote area we have a PC with camera and speaker attached to and interactive TV running Teams. This runs across schools to save on transport costs. Logitech webcam, Jabra desk speaker. Headphones for the teacher on their laptop. Works ok.

 

We had an advisory from the LA this week about Zoom

"Zoom…… One of the most popular video conferencing apps in use during COVID-19 Council Staff can join in Zoom meetings hosted by others as a guest. When joining use the web version rather than installing the client software"

 

Which Logitech Webcam do you use?

 

Cheers

[dhicks]

Anyway I haven't a clue where to start on such a system - so I am asking my fellow edugeekers if they can think of a solution to the above.

 

If your classroom setup is a TV or projected screen at the front connected up to a PC of some sort, then the simplest solution should be to simply add a camera of some sort to that PC, probably mounted just above the large-screen display. A decent webcam should do it, and be quite affordable - not sure what supplies are like at the moment, might be a bit limited. Something with a wider field-of-view might be best, s maybe the slightly higher-end of webcam if still affordable. You'd need someone in the classroom to set up at the start of a lesson.

[MkII]

Which Logitech Webcam do you use?

 

Cheers

 

It looks like a Logitec C930e

 

No makings on the camera

 

The speaker is a Jabra Model PHS002W

The headset is pretty fancy too.

 

We did have a Yamaha Monitor Speaker and a desk mic but had problems with those and switched.

Edited May 14, 2020 by MkII

[psydii]

I did this in 2003 with netmeeting. It worked ok.

 

Webcam, speakers, mic in the room. The kit mentioned above would give an infinitely better experience.

[mdrabble]

When you run these systems:

• How do you connect the PC/Webcam to the meeting/video call - has a member of staff been on hand to connect the call?
  
• Has a member of staff remained in the room whilst another member of staff has taught the lesson remotely?
  

 

To give you idea of what I am faced with - deputy thinks Tenvis cameras will do the job!

 

Cheers

Edited May 15, 2020 by mdrabble

[psydii]

Yes to both of those, sometimes a techie, sometimes a TA / LSA.

 

On the camera, you need as little reprocessing of video and audio as possible to keep the latency to a minimum. If that camera has a usb->pc video and audio link it might do, but if it is a network link into the pc it isn't going to be good.

[Primus]

I like how they think full screen mode is called “exit full screen” mode

[stottio]

I like how they think full screen mode is called “exit full screen” mode

 

haha, that is indeed great! I had to read a couple of times trying to figure out what they meant

[mavhc]

Audio is way more of a problem than video, feedback, background noise pickup, etc etc.

[dhicks]

Audio is way more of a problem than video, feedback, background noise pickup, etc etc.

 

Indeed. I've been having a bit of a tinker with sound / microphones over the past couple of days as I get a setup to do some book narrations and how-to videos. Mics that are sensitive enough to pick up sound from further away but without too much noise are available, but you're looking at around £500 and something that involves multiple components (mic, USB interface / amp, cables, etc), not something really built for a classroom environment. About the best bit of hardware I've seen is something like the Padcaster, basically a frame for the iPad which allows you to mount things like shotgun mics in the same way you would on a DSLR or video camera. That's not motorised, so it can't turn to "look" at a specific pupil. I suspect a simpler and easy-to-manage solution might simply be to mark an area in front of the camera with tape to make a box pupils can come and stand in when they want to speak to the teacher.

 

It would be handy if someone made a mic/camera stand with a curved, weigted base, so that given a push it would simply wobble back upright again. If you're weighting a base, you might as well make that weight batteries and have it capable of powering a tablet or whatever mounted on the stand for this kind of function.

[Andrew_C]

I think, based on my colleagues experiences over the last few weeks, is that teaching style will be more of a problem than the technology.

 

Those that have tried 'traditional chalk & talk' reported poor results due to inability to 'see' if the message is getting across.

 

So, a different style of lesson is needed for the kids at home, and those in front of you.

[mrstrong]

Indeed. I've been having a bit of a tinker with sound / microphones over the past couple of days as I get a setup to do some book narrations and how-to videos. Mics that are sensitive enough to pick up sound from further away but without too much noise are available, but you're looking at around £500 and something that involves multiple components (mic, USB interface / amp, cables, etc), not something really built for a classroom environment. About the best bit of hardware I've seen is something like the Padcaster, basically a frame for the iPad which allows you to mount things like shotgun mics in the same way you would on a DSLR or video camera. That's not motorised, so it can't turn to "look" at a specific pupil. I suspect a simpler and easy-to-manage solution might simply be to mark an area in front of the camera with tape to make a box pupils can come and stand in when they want to speak to the teacher.

 

It would be handy if someone made a mic/camera stand with a curved, weigted base, so that given a push it would simply wobble back upright again. If you're weighting a base, you might as well make that weight batteries and have it capable of powering a tablet or whatever mounted on the stand for this kind of function.

 

Did you see this post ?

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/215236-krisp-ai-noise-cancelling-software.html

[SamanthaD]

I personally have to question to logic behind this request - the teacher is not in school but the pupils are? Surely if the pupils are in school the teacher should be as well? Who's managing discipline etc in the room? How about one to one assistance for those who need the extra help? A teacher perhaps?

 

Also consider GDPR and Safeguarding - ESPECIALLY with Zoom. I imagine extra parental permissions would have to be in place, and clear signs to show that a session is being streamed (we have to do this when recording for lecture capture, a light on the lectern illuminates to show recording is taking place). I can imagine a lot of parents wouldn't be happy if anyone could zoombomb a session and watch their offspring from anywhere in the world...

 

But - reasoning aside - to do this properly would need at minimum some form of PTZ camera system (a wide angle shot of the class might work, but you would get blind spots which, I'm sure, would soon be found and exploited by pupils), echo cancellation for microphones and probably a few microphones (ceiling mics could work well). We're starting to look into "feedback" systems for remote learning such as this, more for sessions being conducted between 2 campuses where 1 specialist teaches 2 classes simultaneously, with another lecturer in the other location for local support. Certainly more to it than an iPad and Facetime I think!

[Brimstone]

I still don't understand the obsession with "live" lessons.

 

There are thousands of happy teachers around the world using Showbie for remote instruction, video and audio all done using an iPad, audio and video feedback all possible with this via the web or the app.

 

Take a look....

 

[dhicks]

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/215236-krisp-ai-noise-cancelling-software.html

 

Yes - handy for noisy environments / removing stuff like traffic noise. In my experience, both Google Meet and Zoom seem to be pretty good at avoiding feedback as long as you're using the same device for both input and output. SamDavis's suggestion above of ceiling-mounted mics sounds like a good idea - a couple of directional mics mounted on the ceiling in front of the front-of-room display and speakers should avoid feedback and be able to pick up general classroom chatter.

[Ex-MGSTech]

is this going to be of any use?

 

 

New Feature: Microsoft Teams room management within Teams Admin Center

MC213457, Stay Informed, Published date: 16 May 2020

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Microsoft Teams Rooms provide a complete meeting experience that brings HD video, audio, and content sharing to meeting spaces of all sizes, from small huddle areas to large conference rooms. With this feature we are enabling easy management of Teams room devices in the Teams Admin Center.

 

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 64022.

 

When this will happen

 

The roll out will begin in mid-June 2020 and be complete by the end of June.

How this will affect your organization

Admins will be able to see the Microsoft Teams Room devices in Teams Admin Center > Devices > Teams Rooms, with the ability to manage devices remotely.

 

Some of the remote management activities include: changing device settings, restarting devices, device health monitoring of the room system and peripherals like cameras or microphones. Admins can also view device usage and call quality for meetings in which the device participated.

 

What you need to do to prepare

To enable device management for Microsoft Teams Rooms in Teams Admin Center, admins will need to ensure their Teams room devices are up to date with the latest software provided by Microsoft.

 

Plan Microsoft Teams rooms

Manage your devices in Microsoft Teams

[mavhc]

I still don't understand the obsession with "live" lessons.

 

There are thousands of happy teachers around the world using Showbie for remote instruction, video and audio all done using an iPad, audio and video feedback all possible with this via the web or the app.

 

Take a look....

 

 

a) people go with what they already know

b) If teachers aren't teaching live lessons they're kinda pointless, only need 1 teacher to deliver a lesson once and a billion people can watch it

c) Proprietary software, not going to base an entire teaching method on some website I have no control over.

d) what does it do that Teams or Google Classroom don't do?

[Zammo]

I still don't understand the obsession with "live" lessons.

 

There are thousands of happy teachers around the world using Showbie for remote instruction, video and audio all done using an iPad, audio and video feedback all possible with this via the web or the app.

 

Take a look....

 

 

The same reason people will pay extra for live instructor led training

 

For whatever reason it is more engaging to have the SME in front of you, in real time. Adapting lessons on the fly is also a lot easier if you delivering live. Ask any teacher and they will tell you that preparing a good lesson is half the battle, its adapting to meet the pace of your class that makes up the rest

[mavhc]

Keeping students engaged means constantly adjusting how you're teaching so they're not bored because it's too easy and not ignoring you because they're lost and can't keep up. If you're just a youtube tutorial why employ any teachers, just get the most famous teachers in the world to make episodes with expensive CGI, once, and then every child in the world can watch it forever for no additional cost.

[Zammo]

Keeping students engaged means constantly adjusting how you're teaching so they're not bored because it's too easy and not ignoring you because they're lost and can't keep up. If you're just a youtube tutorial why employ any teachers, just get the most famous teachers in the world to make episodes with expensive CGI, once, and then every child in the world can watch it forever for no additional cost.

 

What is the best lesson in the world for one student would be useless for another. And that is not just down to ability. Teaching styles and in-lesson feedback from students are so important.

[E_G_R2]

I've done quite a bit of remote learning and can vouch for the fact that eventually your mind wanders, usually toward the end when you have other things on your mind. However all of these sessions are recorded and you have the chance to go back and view them, something you don't in a live lesson.

 

In the end it all about the mix and how individuals learn.

[MkII]

Keeping students engaged means constantly adjusting how you're teaching so they're not bored because it's too easy and not ignoring you because they're lost and can't keep up.

UK parliament are having the same problems. Sleeping on the job. Letting their kids vote on motions...