Teacher Guide for Student Preparation

Preparing your students to take a course delivered via interactive television is extremely important to the success of your course. You need to set the stage for what you expect from your students and what they can expect from the course and the technology used to deliver the course.

Your students should know that they are not being penalized by having to take a course delivered via interactive television. In fact, the number one advantage of taking an ITV course, as described by students, is that the course includes the perspective of a geographically and culturally different group of students. You should mention this to your students and, if applicable, design in time for student-to-student sharing or discussion.

Familiarization with and knowledge of interactive television technology is a marketable skill. Several professions use interactive television connections to conduct business or for in-service training. Students who have had experience with interactive television have been asked by their employers to take the lead for their organization in the application of interactive television communication.

Interactive television is simply the digital transmission of audio and video and as such will be used for years to come. When students leave the ITV classroom environment they will not be leaving interactive television behind. From video phones to desk top computer video conferencing the basics of interactive television will be applicable.

Students taking interactive television courses need to be told the requirements of the technology. The requirements are outlined in the student guide. ITV requirements should be addressed during class and may be appropriate to include in your class syllabus. As the ITV technology becomes more transparent students will often need to be reminded about the requirements.

During the first and/or second class periods it is effective to have your students talk in order to break down any inhibitions they may have about using technology. Get your students talking early in the course. This is also an opportunity for you to provide your students with feedback about how they are interacting with the technology. For example, "Jane we heard you just fine," or, "Joe we're having trouble hearing you, please speak up a bit and try to speak directly into they microphone."

Finally, you may want to consider requiring your students to participate or interact as part of their course grade.

Refer your students to the Student Guide to the Interactive Television Classroom. Please print it out or download the PDF booklet we have provided. Then, hand this information out to your students the first day of class. This will help them through this new experience and provide them with a handy guide they can access at anytime.