Remote Teaching 2014

TEALS – Lester Jackson

Agenda

•Goals• Landscape•How it works•Prerequisites•Video Conferencing•Bandwidth

•Best Practices•Case Study• Lync Setup•Diagnostics• Travel

Purpose

• Use of Microsoft LYNC or equivalent video conferencing to remotely deliver teaching curriculum through rich audio, video, presentation and white board content• Address TEALS mission to provide access and exposure to computer

science courses for students who otherwise do not have a pathway to study CS• Intended primarily for schools in rural communities where tech

industry volunteers are lacking

2014/15 Remote Teaching TeamsHigh School Class Location Vol. Location Course # Vol. Regional ManagerArizona College Prep Chandler, AZ WA INTRO FULL 4 Kevin

Elise P Buckingham Charter Magnet Vacaville, CA CA AP 3 Vichi

Henrietta Lacks Health & Bioscience Vancouver, WA WA AP 5 Kevin

Lee County Beattyville, KY OH,NY,NJ AP 3 Nathaniel

Lee County Beattyville, KY FL,OH,DC INTRO 3 Nathaniel

Manson Manson, WA WA INTRO 4 Kevin

Lind-Ritzville Ritzville, WA WA AP 3 Kevin

Marshall Duluth, MN MN,CT INTRO 2 Nathaniel

MIT Academy Vallejo, CA WA AP 4 Kevin

Morgan County Area Tech Center West Liberty, KY WA INTRO 4 Kevin

New Technology Napa, CA WA INTRO FULL 4 Kevin

Northampton County Conway, NC MS,TX,CA INTRO 3 Vichi

Warren County Warrenton, NC NC,AL INTRO 4 Nathaniel

West Michigan Grand Rapids, MI MI INTRO FULL 6 Vichi

How it works (Example)

TEALS VolunteersRedmond, WA

TEALS Partner SchoolWarrenton, NC

TEALS Students(Lab, 1-on-1 with TA)

TEALS Classroom(Lecture, 1 to Many)

Lab Mode

BidirectionalCommunications

Lecture Mode

Classroom Recommendations

ClassroomLogitech BCC950 Conference CamMicrosoft LYNCProjection Surface (Wall, Screen)Business Grade Cable/DSL InternetClassroom TeacherIT Support

OptionalHands-free telephone

StudentsMicrosoft LifeChat LX-3000 HeadsetMicrosoft LYNCMicrosoft LifeCam Webcam

Volunteer Recommendations

Volunteer TeacherMicrosoft LifeChat LX-3000 Headset *Microsoft LYNC Microsoft LifeCam Webcam *Pen input device (example Surface Pro or Wacom Intuos tablet)

OptionalBCC950 cloud based remoteHands-free telephone

Volunteer TAMicrosoft LifeChat LX-3000 Headset *Microsoft LYNCMicrosoft LifeCam Webcam *Pen input device *

*Or equivalent hardware

Video Conferencing

• Recommended software - Microsoft Lync• Native and web client• OS support for Windows 8 & Mac OS X• Supports voice, video, text, screen sharing, whiteboard

• Recommended Hardware• Microsoft LifeChat headset – combines headphones with mic• Microsoft LifeCam for student-to-volunteer communications• Logitech BCC950 deployed in classroom to read students

Video Conferencing Best Practices

1. Test the tech setup thoroughly before school year starts2. Prepare for multiple backup lines of communication (Phone, SKYPE)3. Engage classroom teacher as eyes into classroom4. Prepare for internet disconnections5. Name cards visible at students stations6. Responsive school tech support with mobile contact7. TAs & Teachers split class to watch all student stations8. Expect long transition times between talking to students9. Understand classroom setup; if applicable apply name cards on monitors10. Obtain classroom roster with seating chart from classroom teacher11. Ensure all students see the same screen or log into lecture session

Bandwidth

• Video conferencing effectiveness is highly dependent on bandwidth• Best used with corporate grade cable/DSL internet connection• Varying technical constraints• Prioritize lecture video presentation from volunteer to classroom• Minimize 1:1 interactions if suffering bandwidth sluggishness• Fluctuating video and audio quality with poor bandwidth

(If having bandwidth problems, first kill video, then try audio through a phone instead)• Request school district IT to prioritize packets for period zero class or

throttle others

Students• It’s important to make sure the students recognize you’re in charge of the

class, even if you’re not physically present• Visit in person as soon as possible• Learn names ASAP

• Students trust you more once they know you know who they are• Make sure your face is visible, even when you’re using PowerPoint

(Make "eye contact", which means looking into the camera when possible)

• Track the position and status of each student• Remoteness increases disconnection and miscommunication• Call on students constantly so they know you’re watching• Establish a clear procedure for HOW you know which students need attention

Establish a presence in the class

Best practices

• Use interactive activities• More difficult to set up and organize remotely• However, VASTLY improved retention for students• For example, have students act out parts in nested for loops

• Use visuals as much as possible• Bullet points on PPT are easy to create and teach• Their retention is not nearly as good as a good visual• Can use whiteboard for impromptu discussion• Structured PPT animations for more detailed visuals

• Be prepared to repeat yourself• In addition to difficulty understanding the material, extra layer of miscommunication

via the remote connection

Lessons Learned From LCHS

1. Harder to tell when a student is disengaging from the class2. Slow computers? Students log-in before lecture. Turn on before

class starts3. Clearly specify technology practices. Make them habits4. No commute time to rehash the day, so recap on Lync after class5. Only use “this” and “that” when you can visually indicate6. Software upgrades will cause problems

ResourcesVideo Conferencing with Microsoft Lync• YouTube• Product PageHardware• Logitech BCC950 ConferenceCam• Cloud-Controlled Remote for BCC950• Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 Headset• Microsoft LifeCam Webcams • Wacom Intuos Pen Tablet OR

Microsoft Surface Pro 2Services• http://portal.microsoftonline.com• https://sched.lync.com

Support• remotehelp@tealsk12.org

Lync SetupRemote Teaching in Action

ProvisioningTEALS

Create LYNC Accounts• Format = {firstname}{lastname}@TEALS.onmicrosoft.com• Initial Password = unique for each volunteer• Display Name: 2014 TEALS {role} at {assigned HS} ({firstname}.{lastname})

VOLUNTEERS1. Login @ http://portal.microsoftonline.com2. Update Password3. Install Client4. Schedule Lectures https://sched.lync.com

STUDENTS• Client download required• Web client to unique sessions per

volunteer• Optional SKYPE with limitations

Sign In and change your password

Download Lync 2013 Client, sign in

Schedule Lectures

Lync Licenses

• Generated for all volunteers• Assign main session a specific session link• Assign each student to a specific session link• Configure recurring meeting for the school year to ensure links don’t

expire• Add session link to class page where students and staff can access and

link

Diagnostics

• MAC OS• LWAPluginInstaller.PKG June 4, 2014

• General• Override Video Device Settings• Detach docked video pane to size for class viewing• Toggle displays with “Manage Presentable Content”

Remote Teaching in Action

Travel

Travel

• Remote teams can visit class rooms twice a semester• Teachers can visit class a maximum of twice a semester• TAs can visit class a maximum of once a semester• Recommended visits is 3rd-4th and 9th-10th week after start of semester• Coordinate classroom visits with classroom teacher and school

building administrators in advance to arrange entry, expectations, etc.• Budget allocated for flight, hotel, car rental, and meal allowance only• Send travel plans to regional manager to obtain direct bill

reimbursement authorization

Travel Reimbursement• Non MSFT Employees

• Direct Bill established for flight and auto rental only

• Must obtain travel authorization from Regional Manager using http://trips/directBill/

• Once approved, Regional Manager submits travel request using http://trips/directBillTravel/

• Volunteers must submit travel reimbursement invoice after trip, include scanned original receipts

• MSFT Employees• Schedule travel through internal site

https://www.concursolutions.com/travelhome.asp

• Expense trip through internal http://msexpense

• Use TEALS I/O code: 1396213

• All original receipts must be kept throughout trip; no exceptions; expenses denied without receipts• Budget limited to hotel $150/day; meals $75/day; mileage $0.56/mile

Appendix