Redbridge Primary School: learning about our cultural differences using AVer ClassHD
On October 21st 2013, pupils from Redbridge Primary School in the London Borough of Redbridge prepared to present live via secure video conference to year two pupils across the UK. The presentation, which they called “All About Sri Lanka”, showcased their Tamil culture and traditions. Using AVer ClassHD video conferencing hardware and Janet VC Services (JVCS), Redbridge Primary School was able to link securely and interoperably to schools in Thurrock, Shropshire, Havering and Devon.
Redbridge pupils, whose parents and relatives are originally from Sri Lanka, spoke about and displayed traditional foods and clothes, and taught their peers hundreds of miles away how to greet in Tamil. They performed a traditional Sri Lankan dance for the other schools to enjoy and then took questions from them live about the presentation.
Parminder Kambo, Assistant Head Teacher at Redbridge Primary School, said “The video conference has put a huge emphasis on our pupils’ speaking and listening skills, and in particular presentation skills. For the schools across England that we have connected to, pupils were provided with real life experiences from children their own age who wanted to share their culture. The aim for us was to help children respect each other through understanding and learning more about each other. What better way to do this than via a secure, high quality audio and video link?”
Lynn Bailey, School ICT Technician & HLTA, said, “We have been using VC for over a year now with other hardware products. What I particularly like about the AVer ClassHD is that it’s so easy to use – the zoom function suits the classroom environment really well because I know I only need to press a button once or twice to position it for the best view. The quality of video and audio is much clearer and better than our previous equipment too.”
Comments from the pupils at Redbridge Primary School:
“I liked it when everyone was watching and listening to me, it made me feel happy and excited to show the Sari I was wearing to the other children” (year two pupil)
“I learnt to speak louder” (year one pupil)
“Learning to speak in front of others helped me build my confidence in front of lots of classes, and it made me feel happy to be a role model for my school” (year five pupil)
Benefits to the primary curriculum:
The benefits for the pupils at Redbridge Primary are that they were able to improve their speaking and listening skills and learn to present to live audiences. They learnt to reply to questions asked by other pupils about their culture, and in turn teach their peers to learn to respect each other.
What Redbridge Primary School did to become a National Content Provider:
The school wanted to video conference using a secure, high-quality video link, one that they could use regularly and reliably to connect with other schools across the UK and beyond.
1. They used an affordable VC codec (for the cost of only 3 iPads) – the AVer ClassHD
2. With installation support from AVer and their local council school’s IT unit, the school installed the hardware quickly and easily on their network
3. With support from VCfL (Video Conferencing for Learning), the school registered with Janet VC services (JVCS) and promoted their VC opportunity “All about Sri Lanka” to over 7000 registered schools with VC hardware on the JVCS booking system
4. The school planned a 15-minute interactive presentation and rehearsed with the children
5. Schools across the UK emailed Redbridge Primary to sign up to take part in the conference
6. Redbridge Primary plan to repeat the VC sessions once a term with a different focus around the Tamil community each time
What your school needs to share good practice via video conference:
1. VC hardware – affordable, secure and providing a high quality, reliable connection (see AVer ClassHD)
2. A broadband connection that supports VC (see the Department for Education guidelines)
3. Registration on JVCS
Useful links/ Contacts
Janet VC Services: www.ja.net/video
DfE Broadband Guidelines for VC: http://media.education.gov.uk/assets/files/pdf/w/school%20broadband.pdf
AVer ClassHD from Video Conferencing for Learning: www.vcfl.net
Aver Information Inc: www.aver.com
AVer ClassHD: www.classhd.co.uk/
-ENDS-
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About AVer
AVer Information Inc. is a global provider of video surveillance, presentation and HD video conferencing solutions that integrate video & audio technology, electronics, optics, software applications and industrial design capabilities. AVer, an international award-winner, has become a successful creator of smart solutions for enterprise and education by aiming to satisfy the design concepts of clients through technological innovation and quality excellence. The company promotes one single goal for all three of its divisions: to provide efficient and easy-to-use solutions that incorporate the latest technologies and exceed the basic needs, requirements and expectations of customers in the business and education sectors. AVer has already carved out leading positions in the global marketplace for its presentation and video surveillance divisions, and the company is rapidly increasing the global market share of its recently introduced HD video conferencing division.
For further information on AVer’s Visualiser, Video Conferencing and Surveillance products, please visit www.aver.com/uk.