FlashMeeting User Guide l 
Video Conferencing Skills sheet
FlashMeeting is free to use (developed by Open University and supplied free to schools by E2BN) and is a low cost broadband communication tool available to the educational community. It is ideal for schools who wish to experience videoconferencing with out too much technical investment and knowledge. You can also invite ‘guests’ to use the service which is ideal for linking to schools overseas.
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| Kent Schools using FlashMeeting in the classroom | ||
FlashMeeting tools to support learning include:
- An easy to use Broadcast button to start and stop recordings
- A simple queuing system to indicate when it your turn to speak
- An easy to use Text chat facility to talk to others while watching a broadcast
- A simple share URL option to enable all users to view a web page at the same time
- A “Voting” and “Emotions” options to enable users to share their opinions and feelings
- A countdown timer to show the time remaining in the broadcast
- A simple booking procedure to manage all meetings
- The facility to record meeting for easy web replay
- Secure and private meetings- this is important!
- View the demo version at http://flashmeeting.e2bn.net/index.html
FlashMeeting can support a wide range of speaking and listening activities that include:
- News Reporting
- Interviewing
- Improving language speaking skills
- Establishing links with other schools in the UK and around the world
Requirements
FlashMeeting does not require any specialised software except flash (version 7 or above).
You will also need a microphone and a webcam.
- Internet connection onto the school broadband network.
- Register for a login (please give a school email for security reasons) with Jeff Howson at jeffreyrichardh@gmail.com
- PC/laptop with web browser and at least Flash 7
- 1 Web camera or USB video source (the better the quality of camera, the better the picture will be). Some Logitech cameras have a basic pan, tilt and zoom feature.
- Ideally use an external microphone although some schools use the embedded microphone in the web camera. Audio is very important so again, buy the best you can afford. Top end is the Duet USB speakerphone from Phoenix (£90) which will pick up the audio in most classrooms. Remember that a microphone in the web camera is really designed for picking up the speech from someone sitting close by. Headsets can be used if it is only one person at that location.
- Ensure that you have permissions for the students to take part. You might want to integrate this with your existing schools internet policy.
How to Register
Email jeffrhowson@gmail.com with the following information:
Name
Your School e-mail address
School Name and Address
Postcode
Telephone Number
Applications are usually processed in a couple of days.
Ashford, Canterbury and Shepway Primary Schools - What happened on the 2.38 from Folkestone on June 9th 1865?
Ashford, Canterbury and Shepway used the videoconferencing application FlashMeeting to interview Charles Dickens about what happened on the 2.38 from Folkestone on June 9th 1865.
Dover Primary Schools - Parlez-Vous Français?
Children in Dover primary schools are this year using FlashMeeting to improve their speaking and listening skills.
Kent River Project
During June and July 2007 schools across Kent and Sussex will be using FlashMeeting to compare and discuss their local rivers.
"Interview an Evacuee" Workshop on Friday 18th May from 1.30 to 3.30
To support the "Evacuee week at Tenterden Station" schools in Kent are invited to participate in the forthcoming "Interview an Evacuee" Workshop on Friday 18th May from 1.30 to 3.30. Using the videoconferencing application "FlashMeeting" children will have the opportunity to ask those who lived during the period about what life was like growing up in Britain during the 1940's.