Best Practices for Teaching via Videoconferencing at Penn State

Word tag cloud with words like videoconferencing, interaction, etc.

Videoconferencing

This site is designed to guide you towards the best uses of videoconferencing for instructional purposes. Please read this introduction, then use the menus to learn more about best practices before, during, and after an educational videoconference. Visit the materials page for checklists and other useful documents.

Videoconferencing is a method of extending your classroom to participants at different locations. This document introduces the best approaches to use before, during, and after a videoconference. There are two types of systems:

Personal computer-based videoconferencing systems – Can be used anywhere you have an Internet connection.
Room-based systems – requires you and participants to go to a physical location with specialized videoconferencing equipment.

Why Prepare for Videoconferencing?

There are methods and techniques specific to videoconferencing that research shows to be effective in the teaching and learning process. Awareness of these approaches will assist you in preparing for and delivering educationally sound videoconferencing instruction.

Is Videoconferencing the Best Choice?

Below is a list of pros and cons to consider when contemplating videoconferencing as a delivery method.

Pros

Instructors and students from multiple locations may participate in the same course at the same time, providing human interaction.
Videoconferencing provides a good way of showing instructionally-relevant motion and video.
Videoconferencing may have built-in tools such as whiteboards, screen sharing, and chat to enhance the learning environment.
Recording options may be available so others can view the session at a later time.

Cons

The video portion of a videoconference is instructionally irrelevant if it is not used for anything beyond showing the speaker or instructor.
The quality of the experience (video and audio) may vary from site to site.
Videoconferencing can require significant technological resources and training for both the instructor and participants.
Videoconferencing may require additional support staff.

Choose the Videoconferencing Technology that Best Meets Your Needs

Penn State supports the following videoconferencing systems:

Computer-Based Systems

Zoom – See https://psu.zoom.us. Available to all. To learn more:
- Zoom Learning Path: For Participants https://itld.psu.edu/learning-path/zoom-learning-path-participants
- Zoom Learning Path: For Hosts https://itld.psu.edu/learning-path/zoom-learning-path-hosts
Skype for Business – Available to all. To learn more:
- https://itld.psu.edu/learning-path/office365/skype-business-learning-path

Room-Based Systems

Polycom – Available in dedicated, schedulable videoconferencing rooms only. See http://www.encs.psu.edu/services/video-conferencing/.
MediaSite Live – Primarily a lecture-capture technology. Available in several specific rooms at University Park. May be available in other rooms/locations if requested. See https://libraries.psu.edu/about/departments/media-and-technology-support-services-wagner-annex/mediasite-live.

Canvas Systems

Big Blue Button – Available only as a conference in Canvas student groups. See https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10522 .

Which System is Right for You?

If it appears that several systems might meet your needs, it is recommended that you try each available system to determine which one is best for you.

The most important question to ask when choosing a system is, “Does the videoconferencing system support my learning objectives?” If not, can you modify or improvise on the system to make it support them?

Continue on by reading the “Before a Videoconferencing” section!