Leo & Heritage Watch Autopsy

Anatomy students at Leo and Heritage high schools (East Allen County Schools) watched a virtual autopsy from Columbus, Ohio on Feb. 14.

"Thanks for making the program possible. It was a worthwhile experience for the teacher and students. Just what I like to see and hope more teachers would do. Project based learning with real world application!" -- Mark Daniel, Leo High School Principal, Leo, Indiana.

"The program was so awesome. The kids loved it. Thank you for all your help. The kids have how the man died all figured out all ready." -- Angie Snyder, Leo teacher

The program was provided by COSI Columbus, and ACELINK funds were used to pay for the content. For information on how to use this funding, contact Sandy Schaufelberger at schaufes@ipfw.edu. 

Congressman Souder Partners with ACELINK

US Congressman Mark Souder joined the IPFW Virtual Town Hall Series in February in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Four high school government classes were able to interact with the congressman: Bishop Dwenger, Carroll High School, Leo High School & Paul Harding High School. Andy Downs, Director of the IPFW Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, moderated the event. Congressman Souder spoke to students about his committee work on illegal drugs and the role of the federal government in education.

The March program will feature Senator Richard Lugar, and it is scheduled for Friday, March 10 at 9:30 a.m. 

THE PULSE: Islam and the US Videoconference

Bishop Dwenger & Anthis plan to participate in a unique videoconferencing series (for grades 9 through 12) that addresses what some people are calling the "clash between Islam and the West" and particularly, the United States. It consists of two parts:

Videoconference I: What do we know about Islam?
Description: BDHS and 2 other interactive schools will discuss what they know about Islam and debate how this religion is perceived in the United States. A GNG staff member moderates from a fourth location. Anthis plans to join as a "view-only" site.
Date: February 15th @ 9 am EST, 11 EST, 1 pm EST, 3 pm EST (schools choose one)
Duration: 50-60 minutes
Cost: $100 for interactive schools.
Read: Preparatory lesson plan on Islam (Discovery Channel)
Watch : Political cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad against Islamic law controversy across the(PBS)

Videoconference II (with special guest): Discussing the Principles of Islam with Ahmed Younis (Muslim Public Affairs Council)
Duration: 50-60 minutes
Date: Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 11 am EST
Cost: $125 for interactive schools, including bridging fees and scheduling. Limited to 4 interactive schools (first come, first served). $90 for view only schools (umlimited space).

Forensic Entomology: The Role of Insects in Crime Scene Investigations

"The Forensic Entomology videoconference from COSI Columbus was outstanding. The presenter was well prepared and had the students on the edge of their chairs. The students asked engaging questions and the presenter was able to give engaging answers. It was truly a first class presentation. I would love to be able to see this again in the 3rd Trimester."

Thanks

Mark Mettert, Teacher
New Haven High School

ACELINK Supports FAME Performances

The FAME (Fort Wayne Arts & Music Education) project has been a popular art/music education program in our area for years, but this year teachers will have a whole new way to participate! Working with FAME, IPFW's School of Visual & Performing Arts, and area schools, we are encouraging classrooms to join a small-group performance by two-way videoconferencing in Allen County, Indiana.

ACELINK funds can be used to cover the $50 cost of a performance delivered by two-way videoconferencing. Teachers would need to go to the ACELINK website for an application form, plus they'll need to work with their technical support staff to get equipment setup and tested before the program starts. Remote participation is limited, depending on equipment availability and support needs.

Kim Brown, FAME scheduler, can work with teachers to help them find a date and originating partner for this exciting project. Kim can be reached at: 260-436-3857 or dandkbrown715@msn.com.

IPFW Pilots Two-Way Video Dual Credit Course

This Spring, students from four locations are simultaneously taking Psychology 120 via two-way videoconferencing. Originating from a classroom on IPFW's campus, students at Bishop Dwenger, Heritage, and Woodlan can earn high school credit plus college credit in this unique program. Most of the students participating in the pilot program were not previously enrolled at IPFW.

The class meets on Monday and Wednesday afternoon so it doesn't interfere with school schedules, and each remote school provides an adult facilitator for the session. The Allen County Education Network carries the synchronous videoconferencing content to each location, and students can communicate with the professor through class-time conversations, email or IPFW's course management program: WebCT.

IPFW plans to offer additional dual credit courses by two-way video in the fall 2006 semester. They also offer dual credit in several other formats, including online courses. For information about these courses or the technology, contact schaufes@ipfw.edu. For information about the IPFW dual credit program, contact Ann Brown at browna@ipfw.edu.