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TeachersFirst Edge Review: For somewhat adventurous technology users who have a webcam. Video chat with teachers and students all over the world through this free video site, TokBox. All you need is a webcam and a connected computer. Simply do a quick sign-up and TokBox will give you a link to use to connect in a live video chat. Invite someone to join you by giving to them the link (email it, tweet it, etc). They click on the link and you both are ready to chat. If no webcam is available, you can use Tokbox for audio only. You can also put a recorded ‘Tok box’ or a link to your live Tokbox on your blog or personal webpage. Anyone can visit your page, press the “Push to Talk” button, and can connect to you in real time using live video and audio.
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In the Classroom:
Skills needed: Join the site (requires email) and immediately begin to explore the tools. You need to know how to enable your webcam (“allow” the site to access your camera and mike). It is also helpful to be able to use the set-up tools offered on the Tokbox site for setting video and audio levels—just the first time you use Tokbox. Once you join, you will see a screen for using an IM service. You can skip that and skip accessing friends from your email. Skip the profile and go to “Start or join your first video chat. “ALLOW your webcam and mike to be accessed by Tokbox. Once you see yourself on screen, click “Share” to copy the link to your chat. Paste it in an email or Tweet, wait for your contact to click and join, and Voila, you are on video chat! You will probably need to click the little tool icon and “configure audio and video” to be heard well. Your guest at the other ends does NOT need to join Tokbox but will probably need to do the tools adjustment, as well.
Safety/Security issues: First check to see whether this tool is blocked in your school’s filtering. You may be able to get permission to access one specific URL for webcam chats for curriculum use only. We recommend that this tool be used under teacher supervision with an account created by the teacher. Rather than using your personal or work email, create a free Gmail account to use for memberships. If you plan to have students register individually, you may want to create your own Gmail account with up to 20 subaccounts for each group of students (by code name or number) within your classes. Here is a blog post that tells how to set up GMail subaccounts to use for any online membership service.
No need to create a “profile” unless you want your class to have one together, such as “Mrs. Smith’s class from Wyoming.” Keep descriptions generic so people must actually know you to be able to find you. Important to note: You have control with whom you wish to communicate. Privacy settings allow you to make yourself known only to your “friends” list. If you have frequent contact with other classes, keep their email or Tokbox link in your friends info. If you do Tweet your Tokbox link, be sure to DIRECT message it so others do not see it on Twitter.
Possible uses: Applications for this site extend through all subject areas, as you connect with classrooms all over the world, exploring a vast array of subjects, languages, and social connections. Foreign language learners can talk in real-time to other language learners. Teachers, you may consider putting the ‘box’ on your webpage and host weekly parent conferences via TokBox for those tech-savvy parents unable to make face-to-face visits. Like fireside chats, this could be a way to communicate classroom happenings as well. Have weekly ToxBox sharing sessions during lunch so students have a chance to chat about what is happening at school with parents and others in your extended classroom community. Set up interviews with community officials, scientists, or military veterans. You are able to video conference with Tokbox, allowing 25-30 people to see you at one time. They simply need your link and your time to meet. Think about professional development opportunities using Tokbox, such as chatting with similar grade level or subject teachers at other schools. For more ideas on using webcams with ESL/ELL student and world language students, see Nik Peachey’s 20 Web Cam Activities for ESL/EFL Students, href="/single.cfm?id=10296">reviewed here. See additional ideas in our discussion of Skype, reviewed here. |
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