So the past month has been incredibly busy with videoconferences of all kinds, classroom to classroom collaborations, content provider, point to point, bridged, them calling us, us calling them, almost any configuration you can imagine. While most of the time things went smoothly, we did hit an occasional snag. Here are my observations about those snags. :-)

  • Good notes are essential! When you are dealing with a large number of connections in a small amount of time, you will never remember the connection details for each connection. I was amazed at how many schools I tested with for RAP that I received an email or phone call from the day before the conference wondering who was placing the call.
  • If possible, go ahead and test the computer connection whether you think you will use it or not. It doesn’t make the test call much longer and can prevent some stress during the conference.
  • Make sure plan B is in place. If the computer has not been tested and isn’t working, and your whole class presentation relies on Power Point, what do you do? Make sure you have a second way to present so that the conference can go on.
  • Again, make sure plan B (C and D) are in place and ready to go, “just in case.” This year seemed to be the year of RAP gremlins. Several calls did not connect for the actual conference the way they connected for the test. It’s a plus to have multiple ways to connect.
  • An IVC troubleshooting class is needed. Something along the lines of “What to do when… they can’t see my computer/doc camera; I don’t have a picture; they can’t hear me; I can’t hear them; etc.”
  • Always, always, always make sure you have a way to contact the other side in case there is a problem. Something besides email. While this is pretty easy if you have a domestic US conference, it can be a bit challenging if you have an international conference and can’t place an international phone call. :-) Try to get a skype contact or something that can be used as a back up.

I would love to hear your thoughts as well.