Using VC allows existing technology and tradition teaching skills to be combined in very powerful ways.

• Use of core materials from the Internet
• Interactive White Board content
• Using VC to extend the range and permutations of learning environments
• Supplementary materials to support lesson content

Using VC allows existing technology and tradition teaching skills to be combined in very powerful ways.

Use of core materials from the Internet 

• Purpose made content supporting specific units of work. Literacy Resources on the ATHENA website are a good example- http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/TR%20Literacy.htm
• Existing Internet content that supports the teaching objective of the Video Conference. An example can be found on the Koshland Science Museum website which may be used to support a Video Conference relating to Global Warming http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/exhibitgcc/index.jsp
• Existing Internet content that provide tools and utilities that may be used to support Video Conference learning objectives. An example of such a tool is the virtual protractor that can be located at http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/angle.swf

Interactive White Board content

• The inclusion of the Interactive White Board within a Video Conference makes for a powerful combination. Interactive White Board content comes in many forms.
• Interactive White Board content developed by teachers using software applications that are provided by the Interactive White Board distributor. Smartboard users have access to such programs as SmartNotebook, while Promethean users have access to the ACTIV range of Interactive White Board utilities
• Many websites contain content that is designed specifically for the Interactive White Board. Schoolzone is a good starting point for finding such material http://www.schoolzone.co.uk/resources/IWB/resources.asp

Using VC to extend the range and permutations of learning environments

• Increasingly, organisations are providing Video Conference content from a diverse range of providers. Some of the providers can be found in Video Conference directories, and others can be found by approaching providers individually. A good starting point for finding content providers is to consult the content provider pages of the Video Conference in the Classroom publication. This can be downloaded from http://www.becta.org.uk/leas/leas.cfm?section=7_1&id=1137

Supplementary materials to support lesson content

The importance of high quality support materials for pupils taking part in a Video Conference cannot be understated. Such materials include:-

• Worksheets
• Appropriate schemes of work
• Textbooks
• Posters
• DVD and Video excerpts
• Digital photographs and audio excerpts
• Construction/Art/role-play materials as appropriate