Top tips for teaching via video conference

There are so many ways you can use video conferencing to discover new educational opportunities, from visiting world-class museums and zoos to diving on the coral reef! Still, often as a teacher you get your training on how to use the newly installed VC system and then you’re left to your own devices to work out the intricacies on how to use it. If your school timetable means that you don’t get to use your system for a couple of months you can quickly forget some of things you need to know to make your experience much more enjoyable (for both your students and for the far end site working with you).

To help, here’s a few tips that can help out when preparing for a virtual excursion, plus some simple hacks to make you look like a pro.

Setting up your room

  • Connect a computer to your system with a HDMI or AV connector. You’ll then be able to share all sorts of content with the remote students. If you want you can use an adapter to connect to your iPad so that you have a document camera with extra functionality.
  • Have a remote mouse and keyboard at the table near you. That way you can access photos and applications easily. It’s useful to have a Google page open so that you can look things up on the fly as needed. Additionally it can be helpful to have the batteries easily accessible so that if you run out of charge you can quickly change them over.
  • Consider your placement of your audio. Try to get the microphones as close to the middle of classroom as possible. Sometimes this is not feasible so in that case you can have someone next to the microphone to relay questions and answers coming from the back of the classroom. VC systems come with a variety of noise cancelling microphones. If you choosing to run a web conference via your computer instead of a H.323 VC system it’s worth purchasing a USB noise cancelling microphone as the sound quality for the remote sites is far superior than what you usually get with your inbuilt microphone on your computer.
  • Put a white board right next to your TV or projector screen and list down the different schools who are attending (especially if you’re leading the conference). That way you can quickly glance to the list and know who you’re speaking with. It can really help if you have a magnetic button to that a volunteer can quickly slide along so you know who spoke to last!

Before the conference

  • Set your camera presets before joining the conference. This means a view of your entire classroom, a view of your experiment table and perhaps 3 separate views of the left, middle and right-side of the classroom. It can also help to have a whiteboard view as well so you can quickly write down things to show the other schools. How do you do this? Generally if you zoom your camera to view you need you can hold down a number button on your VC remote and a preset will become stored for later use. Check your usual manual on how to switch between views (Polycom is slightly different to Cisco for instance).
  • Learn how to toggle the various layout views from self view and ‘Brady bunch’ view. I personally like the self-view option as I can see exactly what the other schools are seeing and I simply toggle back to active speaker view so I can see the other schools when they speak back to me. It certainly helps me see what’s going on!     
  • If there are windows in the room, close any drapes or blinds. Daylight is a variable light source and can conflict with interior room lighting. Try to avoid ‘back-lighting’ as you will come across as shadowy figures with your faces hidden.
  • When adjusting your camera, try to fill the screen as much as possible with people rather than with the table, chairs, walls, lights, or the floor. People want to talk with people 🙂
  • For microphones not fixed to the ceiling or table, ensure they are at least 1 meter away from the video conference camera/endpoint and not near any other electronic equipment otherwise audio will be severely affected (think audio screech).
  • Have the experiment materials and volunteers ready in your room so that the conference can be more interactive. Your student’s experience in video conferences is affected greatly by what they get to do. Imagine if you were a student and have to sit by and watch another school do fun science experiments in their room without you getting to have a go, all because your teacher’s plan is to run the experiments later. You wouldn’t have much fun and certainly would report to the teacher that you don’t like distance learning as much. Give your students the best chance to get the most out of the conference.
  • Prime your students so that they’re ready to ask and receive questions during the conference. Some teachers get kids to research the content quite deeply and have a question written down so they don;t forget, just make sure that they don’t spend the time worrying about their time to speak and rather engage in the general conversation that occurs in the virtual excursion.

During the conference

  • Keep microphones muted until invited to speak by the presenter.  Mute your microphone directly after speaking. There is always peripheral noise at schools and the microphones pick up everything.  This is a big distraction to the presenter and other participating schools.
  • Use your presets you setup earlier to show the other schools your students, your experiments and your classroom itself. It’s great to have a view setup for outside your window too – kids love to see outside as a peek into your world.
  • Due to the nature of some school’s allocated broadband speed there is a chance of reduced clarity in picture. If a ‘dropout’ occurs simply redial into the conference.

After the conference

  • Like any lesson, this is the time to consolidate learning by asking questions with your students about the content presented and to run aligned follow-on lessons. The more you align a video conference with your standard learning sequence the more valuable it becomes.

As with all things, the more you use it the more familiar you are with what you can do and therefore the better your experience in virtual excursions. Learning to run one of these systems can be fun if you contact a colleague in another school to try some test runs with you. Even better, get some of your own students to learn the controls which means that you won’t have to always rely on having to set it up yourself plus the students will get extra technology learning outcomes and confidence with using modern communications.

If you need any help at all please feel free to drop me a line or you could have a in-depth read of my Churchill Fellowship report which details best practice in science education via video conference.

Fizzics Education

ClickFest 2017

ClickFest is an annual video conferencing festival run in November each year. ClickFest is an exciting initiative from education organisations across Australia. It highlights the diversity and scope of video conferences available to schools across Australia. Sessions are delivered free or at reduced cost to schools, providing a great opportunity for teachers to give it a go.

Topics and programs will vary over the month long video conferencing festival to provide flexibility for teachers and students. Each day multiple sessions will be available on a variety of topics from content providers around Australia.

Wednesday 8 November

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10:00

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 11.00
Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. The workshop is designed to provide information and skills that will enable you and your students to conduct an invertebrate survey in your school.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 13:00

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 14:00
Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Thursday 9 November

ClickFest – Why Frogs Count

Time: 14:00

Overview: Australia has over 240 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.

Friday 10 November

ClickFest – Why Frogs Count

Time: 13:00

Overview: Australia has over 240 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.

Tuesday 14 November

Lessons live from the 1880s school house 

Time: 14:00

Overview: Don’t let your students miss out on this special opportunity to go back to the 1880s for a ‘lesson from the past’ in this live event at Rouse Hill Schoolhouse. The Schoolhouse was built in the 1880s and is set up as it would have looked when it was 19th century classroom. The students will meet their 1880s schoolmistress, Miss Fox, and participate a typical 19th century lesson based on the syllabus of the time. The class will sing the national anthem, God Save the Queen and the lesson will include elocution, arithmetic using an abacas and a drawing session.

Wednesday 15 November

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 10:00

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 11:00

Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 13:00

Overview: Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.11

Thursday 16 November

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 09:30

ClickFest – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 10:30

Overview: Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a paleontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.11

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 12.30

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 13:30

Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. The workshop is designed to provide information and skills that will enable you and your students to conduct an invertebrate survey in your school.

Thursday 23 November

ClickFest – Why Frogs Count

Time: 13:00

ClickFest – Why Frogs Count

Time: 14:00
Overview: Australia has over 240 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.

Earth Science Week 2017

Earth Science Week 2017 is on soon. Join in from October 8-14, 2017 and celebrate the theme “Earth and Human Activity.” This year’s event, the 20th annual Earth Science Week celebration, promotes awareness of what geoscience tells us about human interaction with the planet’s natural systems and processes.

Tuesday 10 October

ANMM Inspiring Stories Marc-Andre Bernier: Head Underwater Archaeology
Time: 14:00
Join the ANMM us for an engaging Inspiring Stories where students will have the opportunity to listen to and question Marc-Andre about his experiences and life as an archaeologist.

Wednesday 11 October

Earth Science Week – Fascinating Fossils
Time: 10:00
Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

Earth Science Week – Fascinating Fossils
Time: 11:00
Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.11

Earth Science Week – Geology Rocks
Time: 13:00
The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Earth Science Week – Geology Rocks
Time: 14:00
The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Thursday 12 October

Earth Science Week – Geology Rocks
Time: 10:00
The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Earth Science Week – Geology Rocks
Time: 11:00
The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Earth Science Week – Fascinating Fossils
Time: 13:00
Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

Earth Science Week – Fascinating Fossils
Time: 14:00
Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

 

 

SciFest 2017

The SciFest video conferencing festival is in August and provides a great link to National Science Week. Now in it’s fouth year SciFest is a great opportunity to engage your students in a variety of science workshops and events.

Monday 14 August

Scifest ANMM Inspiring Stories Lloyd Godson “The man who has lived underwater!” and the search for the Super corals!
Time: 10:00
Overview: Lloyd Godson is an ambassador for ocean exploration committed to encouraging more young Australians to undertake STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) studies and careers. He is also no stranger to marine expeditions. He has spent a total of one month living underwater, propelled himself through the Greek islands in a human-powered submarine and holds the Guinness World Records for the most electricity generated by pedalling underwater.

Tuesday 15 August

SciFest: Great Moments in Science with Dr Karl
Time: 09:30
Overview: Join Australia’s science legend Dr Karl for a whirlwind of scientific explanations and bizarre facts. If you like science dished up with a big serving of humour then don’t miss this opportunity to see Dr Karl live! Get the scoop on the latest research and discoveries.

Tuesday 22 August

SciFest – Minibeast Magnified
Time: 10:00
Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. The workshop is designed to provide information and skills that will enable you and your students to conduct an invertebrate survey in your school.
SciFest – Minibeast Magnified
Time: 11:00
Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. The workshop is designed to provide information and skills that will enable you and your students to conduct an invertebrate survey in your school.
SciFest – Geology Rocks
Time: 13:00
Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.
SciFest – Geology Rocks
Time: 14:00
Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Thursday 24 August

SciFest – Fantastic Frogs
Time: 13:00
Overview: Australia has around 200 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.
SciFest – Fantastic Frogs
Time: 14:00
Overview: Australia has around 200 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.

Wednesday 30 August

SciFest – Minibeast Magnified
Time: 09:30
Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. The workshop is designed to provide information and skills that will enable you and your students to conduct an invertebrate survey in your school.
SciFest – Minibeast Magnified
Time: 10:30
Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. The workshop is designed to provide information and skills that will enable you and your students to conduct an invertebrate survey in your school.
SciFest – Geology Rocks
Time: 13:00
Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

SciFest – Geology Rocks
Time: 14:00
Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference will look at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about the layering of lava flows, see if rocks float and learn how to make a gas and find out about the rock cycle. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Thursday 24 August

SciFest – Fantastic Frogs
Time: 13:00
Overview: Australia has around 200 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.
.
SciFest – Fantastic Frogs
Time: 14:00
Overview: Australia has around 200 species of native amphibians, all of which are frogs. Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change. At present, frog populations are declining all around the world.

 

NAIDOC Week 2017

This year the theme for NAIDOC 2017 is ‘Our Languages Matter’ focusing on the importance, richness and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages. Before European settlement there were over 250 unique Aboriginal Language groups with over 600 dialects. Today only around 120 of those languages are still spoken and many are at risk of being lost as Elders pass away. 

Language is more than just a means to communicate, it is a way maintaining cultural practice and passing on knowledge to future generations. Europeans could not see the value of Indigenous language and enforced the use of the English language. Aboriginal people were forbidden to speak in their languages, punished, and even removed from their families and traditional land.

Join the Australian National Maritime Museum, Australian Museum, Museum of Applied Arts and Science, NRL and Royal Botanic Gardens for a variety of video conferences for NAIDOC Week.

20 June

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous our Programs curator and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss this year’s NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrating the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 11:30

To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous our Programs curator and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss this year’s NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrating the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 14:00

To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous our Programs curator and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss this year’s NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrating the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 10:00

To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous our Programs curator and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss this year’s NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrating the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 11:30

To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous our Programs curator and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss this year’s NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrating the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

NAIDOC week ANMM Unlocked: Unlock Water and Indigenous people

Time: 14:00

To celebrate NAIDOC week Indigenous our Programs curator and special guest Uncle Terry will discuss this year’s NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – celebrating the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

Pre-NAIDOC week Dreamtime astronomy Stages 2 and 3

Time: 09:00

Celebrate NAIDOC week 2017 with an astronomical experience from the Boorong clan of the Wergaia language group (Vic) and be inspired by their sky knowledge and lore. Shared stories about Warring (The Milky Way), Bunya (Gamma Crucis in the Southern Cross) and the Nurrumbunguttia (Old spirits whose campfire smoke became the Milky Way) demonstrate a deep understanding and relationship with the sky that is shared across Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

NAIDOC – Our Languages Matter

Time: 13:00

This video conference explores the impacts on the loss of Indigenous languages and the importance of language and language revitalization. Students will also learn some words in the Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug Langauges from the local Aboriginal Peoples of the Sydney area.

Pre-NAIDOC week Dreamtime astronomy Stages 2 and 3

Time: 13:30

Celebrate NAIDOC week 2017 with an astronomical experience from the Boorong clan of the Wergaia language group (Vic) and be inspired by their sky knowledge and lore. Shared stories about Warring (The Milky Way), Bunya (Gamma Crucis in the Southern Cross) and the Nurrumbunguttia (Old spirits whose campfire smoke became the Milky Way) demonstrate a deep understanding and relationship with the sky that is shared across Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Aboriginal Language for Jarjums – NAIDOC

Time: 14:00

Your students will learn and practice Aboriginal language skills in this special video conference for NAIDOC week from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Join  Aboriginal Education Officers in an exploration of Country, as we learn Aboriginal perspectives using traditional Wiradjuri, Barkandji and Cadigal language as an interpretation to fun learning of identifying country, plants, animals, people and objects.

Pre-NAIDOC week Dreamtime astronomy Stages 2 and 3

Time: 09:00

Celebrate NAIDOC week 2017 with an astronomical experience from the Boorong clan of the Wergaia language group (Vic) and be inspired by their sky knowledge and lore. Shared stories about Warring (The Milky Way), Bunya (Gamma Crucis in the Southern Cross) and the Nurrumbunguttia (Old spirits whose campfire smoke became the Milky Way) demonstrate a deep understanding and relationship with the sky that is shared across Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

NAIDOC – Our Languages Matter 

Time: 13:00

This video conference by the Australian Museum explores the impacts on the loss of Indigenous languages and the importance of language and language revitalization. Students will also learn some words in the Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug Langauges from the local Aboriginal Peoples of the Sydney area.

Pre-NAIDOC week Dreamtime astronomy Stages 2 and 3

Time: 13:30

Celebrate NAIDOC week 2017 with an astronomical experience from the Boorong clan of the Wergaia language group (Vic) and be inspired by their sky knowledge and lore. Shared stories about Warring (The Milky Way), Bunya (Gamma Crucis in the Southern Cross) and the Nurrumbunguttia (Old spirits whose campfire smoke became the Milky Way) demonstrate a deep understanding and relationship with the sky that is shared across Australia’s diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

NAIDOC Week: Our Language Matters- NRL Learn

Time: 13:30

Join the NRL Community team as we celebrate NAIDOC Week, as the key message is Our Language Matters we will be talking about the Indigenous Culture and Meanings. As we have our Teacher who works with us Kalinda Bolt, she will be running an Indigenous session which will involve the kids to join in.

NAIDOC Week: Our Language Matters- NRL Learn

Time: 14:00

Join the NRL Community team as we celebrate NAIDOC Week, as the key message is Our Language Matters we will be talking about the Indigenous Culture and Meanings. As we have our Teacher who works with us Kalinda Bolt, she will be running an Indigenous session which will involve the kids to join in.

NAIDOC – Our Languages Matter

Time: 13:00

This video conference by the Australian Museum explores the impacts on the loss of Indigenous languages and the importance of language and language revitalization. Students will also learn some words in the Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug Langauges from the local Aboriginal Peoples of the Sydney area.

NAIDOC – Our Languages Matter

Time: 13:00

This video conference by the Australian Museum explores the impacts on the loss of Indigenous languages and the importance of language and language revitalization. Students will also learn some words in the Gadigal, Dharawal and Dharug Langauges from the local Aboriginal Peoples of the Sydney area. 

Aboriginal Language for Jarjums – NAIDOC

Time: 14:30

Your students will learn and practice Aboriginal language skills in this special video conference for NAIDOC week from the Royal Botanic Gardens. Join  Aboriginal Education Officers in an exploration of Country, as we learn Aboriginal perspectives using traditional Wiradjuri, Barkandji and Cadigal language as an interpretation to fun learning of identifying country, plants, animals, people and objects.

 

Clean Up Australia

Get ready for Clean Up Australia Day with a series of video conferences from the Australian Museum and Australian National Maritime Museum.

Since 1992, school communities across Australia have demonstrated their support for caring for the environment through participating in Schools Clean Up Day.

So far 2,223 primary schools and 1,119 youth groups have removed rubbish from locations right across the country.

Tuesday 28 February

Meet Clean Up Australia Co Founder Kim McKay

Time: 09:30

Overview: Find out more about Clean Up Australian Day with Kim McKay AO. Kim McKay co-founded Clean Up Australia with Ian Kiernan in 1990 following the highly successful Clean Up Sydney Harbour which she helped…

Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 13:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 14:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Wednesday 1 March 

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 10:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 11:30

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

 Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 13:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 14:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Thursday 2 March

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 10:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 11:30

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our drains and waterways it can affect our wildlife and our environment.

Clean Up Australia – Catchment Health

Time: 13:00

Overview: Find out how you can get involved in Clean Up Australian Day. The Catchment Health video conference explores how rubbish impacts our freshwater and marine environments. This session looks at the importance of catchments and how everything we do on land has impacts downstream.

Clean up Australia Day Where do you think it goes?

Time: 14:00

Overview: What are you doing for Clean up Australia Day? Join Professor Pufferfish and field agent Greene McClean as they investigate what happens to the rubbish we leave behind. If it finds its way into our dr…

clean-up-australia-day

Teachers Resources 

What’s on in 2017

SciFest showcases science across Australia

It’s been a great year for video conferencing and 2017 will be even bigger. In 2016 Virtual Excursions Australia delivered events for NAIDOC Week, SciFest, Earth Science Week and ClickFest. These events brought content providers from across Australia and created engaging learning experiences.

DART Connections once again delivered the popular Premiers Reading Challenge series reaching over 10,000 students. Author Andy Griffiths had 100 schools and 5000 students joining via video conference and was DART Connections biggest event yet!

Virtual Excursions Australia also delivered 2 live streaming events for Dinosaur Day that can be viewed though the Virtual Excursions Australia YouTube Channel

2017 is going to be even bigger with Virtual Excursions Australia hosting the following event throughout the year.

Clean Up Australia Day Video Conferencing 27 February – 3 March 2017

Get ready for Clean Up Australia Day with a series for video conferences. Since 1992, school communities across Australia have demonstrated their support for caring for the environment through participating in Schools Clean Up Day.

So far 2,223 primary schools and 1,119 youth groups have removed rubbish from locations right across the country.

Teachers Resources 

clean-up-australia-day

Curriculum Spotlight Video Conferencing 3 – 7 April and 26 – 28 April 2017

Video Conferencing providers from across Australia will provide a overview on their content. Find out how these organisation can help you throughout 2017.

NAIDOC Week Video Conferencing and Live Streaming Dates 19 – 30 June 2017

NAIDOC Week is held in the first week of July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

This years theme is Our Languages Matter and highlights the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Our Languages Matter celebrates the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

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SciFest Video Conferencing and Live Streaming Dates 1 – 31 August 2017

SciFest video conferencing festival provides a great link to National Science Week. Now in it’s forth year SciFest is a great opportunity to engage your students in a variety of science workshops and events.

National Science Week is on 12–20 August

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Earth Science Week Video Conferencing Festival Dates 9 – 13 October 2017

Earth Science Week is celebrated from 8-14 October 2016. “Earth and Human Activity.” is the international theme of Earth Science Week 2017. The 20th annual Earth Science Week celebration, promotes awareness of what geoscience tells us about human interaction with the planet’s natural systems and processes.

Earth Science Week is an international celebration initiated and hosted by the American Geosciences Institute, promoting the importance of the geosciences to the community

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ClickFest Video Conferencing Festival Dates 1 – 30 November 2017

ClickFest is an annual video conferencing festival run in November each year. ClickFest is an exciting initiative from education organisations across Australia. It highlights the diversity and scope of video conferences available to schools across Australia. Sessions are delivered free or at reduced cost to schools, providing a great opportunity for teachers to give it a go.

Topics and programs will vary over the month long video conferencing festival to provide flexibility for teachers and students. Each day multiple sessions will be available on a variety of topics from content providers around Australia.

Dinosaur Day Video Conferencing and Live Streaming on 6 November 2017

The Australian Museum launches the 2017 ClickFest Video Conferencing Festival with Winny the Muttaburrasaurs. Winny Saurs a life size Muttaburrasaurs dinosaur puppet will take you on a journey to explore her world, transporting you back 100 million years into Cretaceous.

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Pirate School From Cyberspace Attacks!

All is not right on the world wide web! The news is out that there has been a series of pirate attacks at a virtual excursion near you! Join the Australian National Maritime Museum for ‘Pirates from Cyberspace Attack’ on 7th and 9th December 2016 at 10.00am 11.30am and 2.00pm.

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Your senses will be raided by all types of skulduggery and all things piratical. Topics for new apprentice pirates include:
– Earn and personalise a pirate licence with your new pirate identity
– Fashion tips for well-dressed pirates
– Count your loot Dance to a pirate sea shanty
– Pirate Q & A and much more

Book now for Pirates from Cyberspace Attack

Gondwana Garden

Gondwana Garden live stream presented by the Australian Museum and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Bring dinosaurs and plants live into your classroom in this thrilling experience for your students.
Go back in time to when Australia was part of Gondwana 165 million years ago and meet Winny the Australian
Museum’s life size Muttaburrasaurus and discover dinosaur environments.





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ClickFest 2016

ClickFest is an annual video conferencing festival run in November each year. ClickFest is an exciting initiative from education organisations across Australia. It highlights the diversity and scope of video conferences available to schools across Australia. Sessions are delivered free or at reduced cost to schools, providing a great opportunity for teachers to give it a go.

Topics and programs will vary over the month long video conferencing festival to provide flexibility for teachers and students. Each day multiple sessions will be available on a variety of topics from content providers around Australia.

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Thursday 3 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

Monday 7 November

Dinosaur Day – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 09:30

Overview: Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals

Dinosaur Day – Meet Winny

Time: 10:30

Overview: Come along to meet Winny to learn more about Australian Dinosaurs. Winny Saurs is a life size Muttaburrasaurs dinosaur puppet and she takes you on a journey to explore her world. You will be transported back 100 million years into Cretaceous and discover what life was really like for the dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Day – Gondwana Garden

Time: 11:30

Overview: Bring dinosaurs and plants live into your classroom in this thrilling experience for your students. Go back in time to when Australia was part of Gondwana 165 million years ago and meet Winny the Australian Museum’s life size Muttaburrasaurus and discover dinosaur environments.

Dinosaur Day – Fascinating Fossils

Time: 13:00

Overview: Fossils are fascinating reminders of life in ancient times and provide a window into the past. They can also reveal an amazing amount of information about extinct species and the ancient world. Step inside the shoes of a palaeontologist to use fossil material and modern animals to reconstruct some extinct Australian animals.

Dinosaur Day – Gondwana Garden

Time: 14:00

Overview: Bring dinosaurs and plants live into your classroom in this thrilling experience for your students. Go back in time to when Australia was part of Gondwana 165 million years ago and meet Winny the Australian Museum’s life size Muttaburrasaurus and discover dinosaur environments.

Tuesday 8 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 14:00

Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students.

Wednesday 9 November

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 09:30

Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students.

ClickFest – Minibeast Magnified

Time: 10:30

Overview: Minibeast Magnified explores the exciting and diverse world of invertebrates. Students will learn how to identify common groups of invertebrates and why they are important. Minibeast Magnified brings the world of invertebrates to your students

Thursday 10 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

ClickFest – Spiders

Time: 13:30

Overview: Explore the vast world of spiders. Found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, spiders are one of nature’s great success stories. Find out what spiders are, where they came from and how they got around, as well as Australia’s own diverse spider fauna.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

Tuesday 15 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

ClickFest – Spiders

Time: 09:30

Overview: Explore the vast world of spiders. Found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, spiders are one of nature’s great success stories. Find out what spiders are, where they came from and how they got around, as well as Australia’s own diverse spider fauna.

ClickFest – Spiders

Time: 10:30

Overview: Explore the vast world of spiders. Found on every continent in the world except Antarctica, spiders are one of nature’s great success stories. Find out what spiders are, where they came from and how they got around, as well as Australia’s own diverse spider fauna.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

Wednesday 16 November

ClickFest – Museum Secrets Revealed

Time: 09:30

Overview: This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum. Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection.

ClickFest – Museum Secrets Revealed

Time: 10:30

Overview: This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum. Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection.

Thursday 17 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

ClickFest – Museum Secrets Revealed

Time: 11:30

Overview: This video conference provides a glimpse behind the scenes of Australia’s oldest natural history Museum. Become a detective and discover how scientists collect, preserve and display the many extraordinary specimens in their collection.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

Tuesday 22 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 09:30

Overview: Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 10:30

Overview: Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

Wednesday 23 November

ClickFest – Fascinating Frogs

Time: 09:30

Overview: Frogs play a key role in many food webs, both as predators and as prey. By observing frog populations, we can get a good indication of the condition of the environment as frogs are sensitive to environmental change.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 13:00

Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference looks at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes and the earth’s layers. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 14:00

Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference looks at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes and the earth’s layers. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Thursday 24 November

Plants and Pollinators – Pollinator Week – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Join in on the action of Pollinator Week and learn more about our important and unique insect pollinators and the life cycle of flowering plants. Using live plant materials, models and microscopes this video conference will bring the story of plants and pollinators to life.

Plants and Pollinators – Pollinator Week – ClickFest

Time: 10:00

Overview: Join in on the action of Pollinator Week and learn more about our important and unique insect pollinators and the life cycle of flowering plants. Using live plant materials, models and microscopes this video conference will bring the story of plants and pollinators to life.

Plants and Pollinators – Pollinator Week – ClickFest

Time: 11:30

Overview: Join in on the action of Pollinator Week and learn more about our important and unique insect pollinators and the life cycle of flowering plants. Using live plant materials, models and microscopes this video conference will bring the story of plants and pollinators to life.

Plants and Pollinators – Pollinator Week – ClickFest

Time: 13:00

Overview: Join in on the action of Pollinator Week and learn more about our important and unique insect pollinators and the life cycle of flowering plants. Using live plant materials, models and microscopes this video conference will bring the story of plants and pollinators to life.

ClickFest – Geology Rocks

Time: 13:30

Overview: The Geology Rocks video conference looks at the dynamic earth forming processes. Students will learn about plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes and the earth’s layers. You will also see real specimens and there will be opportunities to ask questions.

Plants and Pollinators – Pollinator Week – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Join in on the action of Pollinator Week and learn more about our important and unique insect pollinators and the life cycle of flowering plants. Using live plant materials, models and microscopes this video conference will bring the story of plants and pollinators to life.

Tuesday 29 November

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 09:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

The Botanic Story of Chocolate – ClickFest

Time: 14:00

Overview: Visit the Sweet Addiction exhibition within our brand new world-class horticultural attraction, The Calyx, from the classroom and find out where your chocolate comes from.

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