Getting Administrators to Buy In to Distance Learning

How would you get your school district administrators to “buy in” to distance learning: either video conferencing, online courses or both ?

One of the main ways to get school district administrators is for them to actually EXPERIENCE one. Knowledge is power. Most administrators probably don't even know what video conferencing can offer students. Most providers (e.g. Baseball Hall of Fame) will offer free overviews, showcasing what their programs are all about. These types of overview would be beneficial for professional development days and/or faculty meetings. If districts and schools do not have the equipment, they should look to their local education agency (intermediate unit) to see what facilities and programs that they offer.

CIM - 3 Entries

1. I wish I could write a Children’s book one day! It would be about children getting lost inside of a computer and their adventures! I can’t draw so I would need to find a good illustrator!
   
   
2. If I could go anywhere, I’d go to these places: Stars Hollow (I want to live in a small town like that!), China to see their electronics (I know I’m a nerd, but do you know in China you NEVER lose cell phone reception – I think the US Cell companies have a conspiracy going), and back in time to meet my grandfather while was a teenager to see what he was like!
   
   
3. If I was an animal, I would be a polar bear! Guaranteed snow days!

Franklin Institute - Educators' Night Out

I DISSECTED A COW EYE!! I thought that would have been the highlight of my night... little did I know what I was getting into when we waited in line for the Body World display. INCREDIBLE is the only word I can use to describe it. I love controversial issues -- but this wins hands down! While waiting in line, I was even fascinated with some of the facts that were on the wall. For example: "Touch your thumb to your palm on your other hand. You just sent a message to your brain at 124 mph." I love those types of facts and I think kids would too!

Did anyone see Passion of the Christ 2 years ago? I had the most unsettling feeling after seeing it. I am still having a similar feeling about the Body World exhibit as well as the idea of Plastination. I am a very logical person, and it is something that I can still not wrap my mind around!

As we walked around the Franklin Institute, I kept my eye out (not pun intended to my fun dissection) for Video Conferencing opportunites. As we exited the Body World exhibit (after of course walking through the Disney like gift shop), we got to do alot of fun gravity activities. Some of the activities included jumping with your hands at your side then jumping with them in the air to see the difference in height; twirling as if you were an Olympic skater; and throwing different balls to see which went the fastest. At one point there was a display that said "You are on the web", and that's when it hit me! All of the things we were doing that were gravity based are things that kids could do in a classroom. I think if the Franklin Institute wrote up some materials based on these experiments, we could Video Conference with them to further explain. Students could fill out worksheets prior to the conference and after!

Keystone Conference

Have you ever seen the TV Show -- "What not to wear"? Well the Keystone conference was the Video Conference version of that. I wasn't sure what our purpose of actually being there was, but I think it was a good taste of Lesson Learned! The video feed was very fuzzy, due to the amount of places dialed in. We should have brought the laptop cart upstairs and got onto the Keystone Conference website to follow along with what the Conference was about. All in all, it was interesting to see a multi-point site, but I was craving more interaction. My attention span was that of a flea! :-)

VCon - September 28th

Our Video Conference on September 28th was fun! Diane, April, Sharon Kane, and I met at Concord Elementary School. Larry Ward had all the equipment set up for us in the library. I gave him the IP address to dial in to the IU and soon we were connected! Our equipment consisted of 2 VCON units. The units looked like 2 TVs that were connected to a computer. There was a video camera on the top of the TV and 2 microphones that could be positioned where we wanted. There was also a wireless keyboard that had an integrated mouse. Using the keyboard, we could use the tools to move the camera and zoom.

As the conference began, we realized because of the audio feedback that we only needed one microphone. We then began to present our assignments for that week on Distance Learning Initiatives. Because we had 2 TVs, we could view internet sites on one while watching the person presenting on the other. It was really interesting watching it come alive!

Larry had to leave and of course a few minutes after that we had some "technical difficulties." After playing with a few things, we were able to reconnect quickly.

I liked that we got to experience a few different apects of videoconferencing, including sharing websites, powerpoint presentations, and the document presenter. Our resolution on our end must have been different because we were unable to clearly see the entire powerpoint.

All in all, it was a great experience, rich in communication. I think using this type of tool, kept us focused on the task at hand and very engaged!