Museum of Sydney: Video Encounters

At Museum of Sydney on Friday 10 May delegates converged both physically and virtually for Video Encounters to witness some of the best videoconferencing experiences Australia has to offer in the one half day seminar.

Below, Karen Player and Ben Newsome introduce how video conferencing technology can be used.

Karen Player - Museum Outreach Coordinator - Australian Museum

Karen has a background in environmental science and education. She is committed to outreach programs throughout NSW and beyond. Karen has worked at the Australian Museum for the last 14 years in education and interpretive roles. Karen has been coordinating video conferencing programs for the last three years. Last year the Museum presented video conferencing events to 7,500 students from 200 schools across the state. Karen is the chair of Virtual Excursions Australia, a professional video conferencing network of over 30 educational content providers.

Ben Newsome - Director - Fizzics Education

Ben has run hundreds of video conferences for schools across Australia and around the world since 2010. He will discuss how free apps can link iPads, smart phones and desktop computers to traditional video conferencing equipment so you can video conference without the equipment. Additionally this session covers how Fizzics Education is using these apps to support science clubs in schools and libraries.

Note: this presentation is made up of the video grid below. In the left hand top corner is Ben presenting to the audience, while around him are various staff using traditional video conferencing technology (top right) and mobile technology in the videos below.

Video Encounters next Friday

Video conferencing is the technology of the now.

In 2010 the NSW Government began the rollout of interactive classroom technology, so that over 80% of public schools in NSW now have a ‘connected classroom’. These mini technology hubs, be they in the school library, resource room, hall or nominated classroom are equipped with interactive white board, video cameras, microphones and data projector. They give our NSW school kids access to a growing number of really cool education programs offered by arts, cultural and scientific institutions around the world.

The Video Encounters seminar, is a chance to see how this technology might work for your organisation―to ask questions and be involved in building quality learning experiences for our communities, no matter how remote and isolated.

The seminar will show you how video conferencing works―you’ll learn that by using a video link school and cultural organisations are ‘connected’ allowing real time interaction. 

To showcase the opportunities of this technology we've engaged the very best programs in Australia on the day. These programs are varied and innovative ―they provide an opportunity to meet, talk with and do stuff with an industry specialist. You can come face-to-face with curator, robot, marine biologist, astronaut or Hyde Park Barracks convict.

We’re not just talking about watching ―we’re talking about participating in activities. 

So come along to the workshop and learn about how this technology might be utilised by your organisation and how involvement in innovative technologies can diversify, expand and develop your existing audience.

To read more about an example of video conferencing check out this interview with Sian Morgan Hall at Sydney Living Museums.

Video Encounters is at the Museum of Sydney next Friday 10 May.

To register for Video Encounters go to the M&G NSW website.