LESSON 2 - SeaTrek Programs

Lesson 4
Research Reality
SeaTrek’s Videoconferencing Cookbook: Recipes for Success!
Follow the instructions and tips below to ensure a quality
videoconferencing experience with SeaTrek!
VIDEOCONFERENCE SYSTEMS
• Get to know your videoconferencing equipment before the scheduled program. It’s a good idea to have
the technology coordinator in the room during all scheduled test calls and programs. Even though things
look fine at the beginning of the call, they can still go wrong in the middle, remember this is LIVE!
• Make sure that the TV and videoconferencing system volumes are at 50%.
• Start the videoconferencing system and dial into SeaTrek at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled program
start time.
VIDEOCONFERENCING ROOM
• For your videoconference, choose a room that is bright, fairly small (IE: auditoriums are not the best place
for an interactive videoconference) and out of range from ambient noise.
• Be sure to keep the lights in the room ON. This helps for the presenter to see the students he/she is interacting
with. This may pose a problem if you are using a projection system, please work out any lighting
issues prior to the conference.
CAMERA POSITIONS
• Position the videoconference camera in an area where all the students can be seen during the videoconference.
Make sure the position is not too high, too low, or facing the backs of the students. Think about
what you would like to see from the presenter: audience centered and in focus, as if he/she was in the
room with you.
• Make sure the student audience is in full frame and focus. It’s a good idea to have the students in the middle
of the frame. Be sure not to have the camera tilted too high or too low.
MICROPHONES
• Position microphone(s) in areas of the room that will easily pick up students’ voices.
• Always mute your microphones when you are moving them- these microphones are very sensitive and will
pick up a majority of the noise in the room.
• Please be cautious of where your microphone(s) are placed in regards to the speakers of the TV and/or
the videoconference system. Make sure they are far enough away as to avoid creating feedback.
• There are 2 options for your microphone:
Muted (closed): Use this technique to manage your classroom better; the presenter will not be able
to hear the students’ reactions unless they un-mute the microphone.
Un-muted (open): Use this technique to give the presenter instant content feed back. When using
this technique, there is no need to have the students un-mute the microphones in order to speak.
This is the preferred setting for SeaTrek programs!
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