ACTIVITY 6: Talk to the experts: video conferencing
Overview
Web conferencing software allows groups of people to meet and collaborate online from their
own computer. Presenters and participants interact using a variety of features such as: audio,
video, instant messaging, shared interactive white board, polling, file sharing and application
sharing. Through web conferencing, students have to ability to talk to an expert.
Aim
What is the role of experts in the field?
Objectives
 To discuss points of interest with an expert
 To learn about the role of an expert in meteorology
Tasks
Web conferencing
Ecolinc is offering a unique and interactive aid to learning in the classroom; web
conferencing sessions. Each session is bespoke, having been tailored around the
questions students have designed and submitted prior.
What you need
Collaborate Now, formally Elluminate, is the software currently used by the Department
of Education and Early Childhood Development to provide web conferencing to staff and
educators around Victoria.
The only equipment you need is a computer with an internet connection and a
microphone headset to enable you to listen, speak and participate in activities. You can
also use a webcam if you have one, to integrate video into your web conference.
Collaborate Now supports Windows PC, Mac, Solaris or Linux. To use Collaborate Now,
you need to have Java Webstart installed on your computer. See:
How do I test whether Java is working on my computer?
If you do not have Java installed, see: Java downloads for all operating systems
When you are accepted into a conference you will click on a link distributed by email,
which allows you to enter the conference.
The expert used in the sessions will vary. Experts, sessions and times will be advertised
here when available. There are a limited number of sessions available, so book as soon as
possible. Ecolinc reserves the right to amend the program. All conferences are subject to
availability of the appropriate expert.
Once accepted into a program, students will submit a collection of questions to be
answered by the expert on the day. Students are encouraged to ask additional questions
on the day. Questions could include:
What is your role in meteorology?
What is your passion about meteorology?
How did you get interested in meteorology?
What would you suggest is a good way to get into working in meteorology?
Web conference programs available
There are currently no web conferences available.
Web conference registration
The essential fields must be completed in order for the booking form to be submitted.
Following this you will receive an email confirming dates and times you have booked.
About you
Surname:
First name:
Title:
Work email:
Daytime phone number:
School name:
Postal address:
City/town:
Postcode:
State:
About the video conference
Select the web conference from the following list:
Number of students:
Year group:
Additional information
How will the event be tied into your program of study?
Please describe your aims and objectives by taking part in this web conference.
Any other comments?
Data protection information
Ecolinc will not pass your details onto third parties and will not contact you other than in direct
relation to your enquiry.
Duration
1 hour to brainstorm and research questions for the expert
Materials
 Computer, netbook or laptop with internet access (either one for the class or individual
computers)
 Installed onto computers: Java Webstart
 Optional: microphone headset (if using individual computers)
 Optional: webcam
Resources
www.education.vic.gov.au/researchinnovation/virtualconferencecentre/default.htm
DEECD Elluminate – Web conferencing
Suggested post activities
Online investigation
The following is a collection of articles from experts, vodcasts and a profile of an expert from
some of Australia’s leading Science intuitions. Students choose one from the collection and
investigate the accompanying question.
1. ARTICLE FROM AN EXPERT
ABC Science – Ask an Expert
Was Yasi Australia’s biggest cyclone?
www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2011/02/07/3132144.htm
Explain the different between La Nina and El Nino.
2. ARTICLE FROM AN EXPERT AND VIDEO
ABC Science – Ask an expert
Can humans control the weather?
www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2009/10/08/2708649.htm
ABC TV Science – Catalyst
Cloud seeding
www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2714955.htm
Explain cloud seeding.
How could this technique be useful?
3. VODCAST
CSIRO Vodcast
Climate change threatening the Southern Ocean
www.csiro.au/multimedia/Climate-change-threat-to-Southern-Ocean.html
What is the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems?
4. VODCAST
CSIRO Vodcast
Plenty of atmosphere at CSIRO Aspendale
www.csiro.au/multimedia/Atmosphere-research-at-Aspendale-lab.html
What research are climate scientists undertaking to learn more about climate change?
5. PROFILE OF AN EXPERT
CSIRO – Profile
Dr Paul Fraser: understanding our changing atmosphere
www.csiro.au/people/Paul.Fraser.html
What role does Dr Paul Fraser play in researching climate change?