TOOLS



=T opic = = = //Upcoming STEP tasks //  I did a video chat with two other STEP team members, Deb Royer and Jackie Hill. The first thing we did was help each other to set up our webcams and ensure that we could see each other on the screen. In our chat, we talked about requirements for the upcoming professional development and ideas about creating our newsletter. We also, talked about ideas for our team t-shirts for the STEP Gallery Walk in June.
 * Description**

This was my first experience with video chat. I was too excited! When the webcam was first started I had my AP students in the class and they were able to show me other things I could do with the webcam. Since the initial start of my webcam usage, I have had webcam conferences with several art teachers in the PG County public schools. During our conferences we were able to discuss, planning for upcoming workshops that we were presenting at. We were also able to coordinate transportation to and from various art conferences.
 * Reflection**

This tool would also be useful for teacher to student, teacher to administration chatting or conferencing. I have a lot of tech savey students who often times ask for help while they are at home working on project. I feel this would be a great tool to communicate with them in real time, face to face communication. It's like a video telephone....definitely a tool that can be incorporated into the classroom, provided that the schools had funding for the webcam.


 * Technology Standards**

II. Communication A. Use technology effectively and appropriately to interact electronically 1. Use telecommunications to collaborate with peers, parents, colleagues, administrators and/or experts in the field. B. Use technology to communicate information in a variety of formats. 1. Select appropriate technologies for a particular communication goal. 2. Use productivity tools to publish information. 3. Use multiple digital sources to communicate information online.