Case Study 11

Videoconferencing: A Shared learning experience

This project aimed to connect five geographically spaced schools using ICT by combining videoconferencing with constructivist learning through the use of Primary Connections – Linking Science with Literacy (http://www.science.org.au/primaryconnections/index.htm).

Using science units of work, the intention was to communicate between schools whilst increasing student engagement and competence in Science, Mathematics and Technology. Collaboration among partner schools was strengthened by the ability to communicate through the use of video and allowed for the provision of on-going support as required. The final product was a TV show produced by the students compiled with segments showcasing the students’ discoveries from their science units of work. This process also provided the opportunity for students to showcase their use of ICT.

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The Full Story

The project’s broad aims

The Projects broad aims were to:

• Use the medium of videoconferencing to increase student engagement and interest in the areas of Science and Technology
• Increase collaboration between schools  via videoconferencing
• Provide effective Professional Development on constructivist learning and ICT
• Develop a working relationship between schools, university and teacher associates
•  Improve student achievement, strengthen competence, and growth in numbers of students undertaking Science and Technology, by using the Primary Connections Program

Activities that Engaged the Students

All schools produced a range of videos based on their science topics being studied in the Primary Connections units. This required a detailed process of story boarding, filming and editing. They used MyInternet and the Centra 7 videoconferencing systems to communicate their exciting science discoveries and create and explain local science via their ‘TV’ show.

St Paul's Mount Lawley: A video on Plants in Action was produced by a combined Year 3 and 4 effort. They selected to do a combined video to maximise the science impact for the students involved, using the technology of photostory. The content included medicinal qualities of plants and traditional Aboriginal use of plants. 

Currambine Catholic Primary School: Years 3 and Year 6 were involved in the project and based their video on Push and Pull (Yr 3) and It's Electrifying (Yr 6). The Year 6 students conducted tests which examined the life of batteries and called their video 'The Battle of the Batteries.' The Year 3 students demonstrated their science knowledge about what you could push and pull around the school and home.

St Mary's Kalgoorlie: Pre-Primary and Year 6 were involved and produced videos based on "It's Electrifying" and Electricity. The students transferred their science knowledge into fictional videos based on the topic of 'Conducting' and 'What we know about electricity.' The students produced videos of a very high standard and an obvious transfer of knowledge was evident.

St Anne's Harvey: The Pre-Primary and Year 6 students worked together to produce combined Photostories about "My place in the universe". The videos were mainly aimed at the pre-primary student’s science knowledge.

St John's Rangeway: The Years 2, 5 and 6 classes were involved and produced short movies on their topic of "Marvellous Micro-organisms". The Year 6's transferred their science knowledge into fictional movies as well as non-fiction movies

By creating the videos the students communicated their science discoveries and student reflections indicated that it increased their interest, engagement and understanding in Science and Technology.

Teacher Professional Learning

As an introduction to the project all participants including teachers, Teacher Associates and school leaders attended a Professional Development day at the Catholic Education Office of WA. Each school involved in the project was also provided with school based professional development for all staff on Social Constructivist Learning and the aims of TSTV project. These sessions set the scene for the project by introducing the pedagogy that would encompass and drive the program.  

The opportunity for teachers to be introduced to new science learning and technological processes to communicate has had significant outcomes. Teacher Associates were a key component in supporting teachers in becoming familiar with the video equipment which created the opportunity to develop the collaborative network of teachers.  The ICT Professional Development included using Smartboards, the use of Movie maker software and  videoconferencing.  

Resources and Outcomes

Two live video conferences were held to showcase the science based outcomes from each of the schools. Each school used a Primary Connections topic as the focus of their presentation. After each presentation all schools had the opportunity to participate in further discussion.

The students’ interactivity at these events was fantastic, evidenced by their enthusiastic participation in the discussions. The use of video to record the students’ achievements enriched the learning experience and gave the science and technology processes a real purpose. A TSTV website has been established: http://www.cswan.wa.edu.au/home/tstv/showcase/showcase.html         

The website incorporates professional development for teachers, examples of students work and other resources.

Sustainability

The concept of videoconferencing between schools is continuing through the support of the Catholic Education Office of WA. Schools that did not participate in the project are now being supported to produce short “news and weather reports” with other schools through videoconferencing. Using such technology provides the opportunity for students to highlight some of the learnings within their own school that can be shared more broadly connecting geographically spaced schools in a vast state. Teachers who have been trained and had the support of Teacher Associates will now support other teachers and use the “train the trainer” process to diversify the opportunities for more teachers to use this medium to engage students.

The outcomes of the project have been presented at conferences and further projects are anticipated to be undertaken involving Curtin University and Catholic Education Office of WA.

Further Information:

Professor Sue Trinidad

Deputy Executive Dean

Curtin University

Email: S.Trinidad@curtin.edu.au

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© Commonwealth of Australia, 2004