Video Conferencing Aptitude

(Note: The following is a Video Conferencing Aptitude evaluation that students might be asked to take to determine how they might work within the elements of a video conferencing classroom.)

Two-way video conferencing provides students with educational opportunities that may not be offered at your school through a face-to-face classroom. As video conferencing adds new elements to this multi-site classroom, the following questions are designed to make you aware of these elements and also some measure of your personality in working in a "different" classroom setup.

1. Video conferencing brings in an element of your classroom including students from other sites. What best describes your interest in getting to know students from other schools?

• (4) I would see meeting other students as a plus for taking a class over video conference.

• (2) I would see meeting other students as a non factor in taking a class over video conference.

• (0) I would prefer that there were not be remote site based students in the class.

2. Video conferencing brings in an element of your classroom including students from other sites. What best describes your interest in collaborating on assignments with students from other schools?

• (4) I would look at collaborating with students at a remote site as a plus for taking a class over video conference.

• (2) I am neutral in my feelings to collaborating with students at a remote site when taking a class over video conference.

• (0) I would prefer not to collaborate with students at remote sites in a video conferencing class.

3. Video conferencing equipment provides the method for connecting multiple sites. To what degree would you be willing to work with the technology in support of a video conferencing class:

• (4) I would be willing to learn how the equipment works and when requested assist in its operation.

• (2) I am neutral to learning about how the equipment works but in an emergency would attempt to assist or get assistance.

• (0) Not my problem.

4. Video conferencing equipment and connections may not always work. How do you feel about problems with the equipment or connections?

• (4) I understand that it is just technology and willing to accept that as part of the class.

• (2) I find this as troubling annoyance that will happen on occasion.

• (0) No connection means no class. Like it!

5. The teacher for a video conferencing class may not be at your school. If the teacher is not at your school how do you feel about this instructional arrangement?

• (4) The teacher delivering the course from a remote site is no problem.

• (2) I would prefer that the teacher was from my school.

• (0) I would not take a class if the teacher was not at my site.

6. The teacher for a video conferencing class may use web based resources such as a learning management system (angel, blackboard, edmoto, etc.) in support of the class. How do you feel about using these types of online resources in support of your class?

• (4) I believe that online resources would be a real plus for supporting a video conferencing class.

• (2) Online resources would be ok but prefer to receive most instruction and feedback directly from the teacher.

• (0) I don't like technology so I am not interested in online resources.

7. In a face-to-face classroom, your teacher is easily accessible to answer questions you might have about your class. As a remote student what would be the most likely way you would ask your teacher a question?

• (4) Based on how my teacher has instructed us to contact him/her, I would make that contact to schedule time to meet with them.

• (2) Rather then contact the video conference teacher I would check with a teacher at my school for assistance.

• (2) I would seek help from another student at my school who is in the class.

• (0) I would do nothing and just figure it out on my own.

8. Assessment of understanding may be done using an online tool. How do you feel about taking tests using this method?

• (4) Using technology for assessment is good because you get immediate grade feedback.

• (2) If technology works and is available it is ok to use for assessment.

• (0) I prefer to take all assessments on paper as I would have a hard copy of the results.

9. With multiple sites in a video conferencing, class schedules, late starts, and days in attendance may be different. How do you feel about working with time and scheduling conflicts?

• (4) I understand that this is part of a multi-site course offering and if the teacher is able to record the class or provide online communication as to what was missed, I am ok.

• (2) As long as this doesn't happen often it will work.

• (0) Not my problem. What is missed is missed.

10. As noted at the beginning of this personal video conferencing aptitude, there are multiple elements involved in a video conferencing class. Based on the previous questions how do you think you will feel at the end of this course about taking a video conferencing class?

• (4) I think I will feel like it was a positive educational experience based on what I gained from the content as well as the social experience of working with students from other schools.

• (2) I think I will have a neutral feeling about taking a class over video conferencing and might be hesitant to take another class using this median.

• (0) I made a big mistake taking this class over video conferencing.

Scoring: Using the numbers in the parenthesis to the left of each answer, add your answers - 0, 2, or 4 - to get your accumulated aptitude.

• • Scored 31 to 40: Your aptitude for being a highly involved student that should result in success in a video conferencing class is high.

  • Scored 21 to 30: Your aptitude for being a highly involved student in a video conferencing class may somewhat limit your effectiveness in the course based on your answers. Review answers which were scored as 2 or 0. List reasons why you answered that way versus the top score (4) answer.

  • Scored 11 to 20: Your aptitude for being a highly involved student in a video conferencing class may limit your effectiveness in the course based on your answers. Review answers which were scored as 2 or 0. List reasons why you answered that way versus the top score (4) answer. It is suggested that you visit with your video conferencing instructor regarding the class and why your answers might impact your involvement in the class.

  • Scored 0 to 10: Your aptitude for being a highly involved student in a video conferencing class may be low in the course based on your answers. Review answers which were scored as 2 or 0. List reasons why you answered that way versus the top score (4) answer. If your answers are within this range you may want to reconsider taking a class using the video conferencing medium.