Video Conferencing and the Connected Classrooms Project
Our school has two Connected Classrooms; one located in our new library and the other in the senior classroom. Both systems are fully installed and equipped Interactive Classrooms comprising of an Interactive Whiteboard, Video Conferencing facilities, a PC with internet connection and preloaded specialist software.
Not only do these Connected Classrooms enable students to connect with schools across the state, they also have distinct benefits across a range of outcomes and around the globe. These include collaboration, access to external expertise, virtual excursions and events, extending subject choice, providing opportunities for gifted and talented children and encouraging curriculum development and sharing. Ulmarra students as young as Year 1 have been involved in video conferences and Webquests. Senior students have run video conferences for schools across the state.
Interaction is sometimes as simple as interschool maths challenges with local schools and at other times as sophisticated as facilitating conferences where complicated Information and Communications Technology skills are demonstrated. This was the case in our involvement in the highly successful 2009 Cuddie Cuddie project.
Please see Cuddie Cuddie Project for more information.