Reflection - July 7

I like the idea of videoconferencing. It's a way to bring someone else into the classroom for free. Can't knock that. It's a great way for the students to experience a different person, a different voice. This could be very beneficial in a French Immersion class. It would give students a chance to hear a different voice and a different accent so they would be accustomed to hearing French spoken differently from me.
When Jean said that videoconferencing is the way PD will be delivered in the future, I can see that happening. PD can be very expensive for a teacher and a school board when travelling and sub expenses are taken into account. Videoconferencing after school or on a regular PD day could save so much money.
I'm not sure Elluminate would work for me. I could maybe use the Three for Free but since my school board doesn't have Elluminate it isn't a tool I could make use of. However, the fact that Elluminate lets you talk, see and work with each other at the same time, is very effective.

Two things I will use from today though is the Videoconferencing available from the Biosphere in Montreal and from 2Learn. I would love to have them set up a videoconference with other schools in Canada as part of my grade 5 Social Studies. What an authentic learning opportunity.