Franke Park Teacher Receives National Recognition for Videoconferencing

Pam Ghaffarian, who team teaches third, fourth and fifth grades at Franke Park Elementary in Fort Wayne, was recently featured in an article in Cable in the Classroom's March publication called Access Learning.

In this article, Pam shared how her students are learning science in new ways. Her class is part of the NASA Explorer program, and they use the Allen County Education Network and videoconferencing equipment to improve science and learning. Among other experiences last year, students piloted STORM-E, an "e-Mission" on weather hosted by the Challenger Learning Center. They also videoconferenced with the Zathura author Chris Van Allsburg and a NASA engineer as they learned to write science fiction stories. First-graders at Franke Park videoconferenced for the first time this year, learning about the Sun from a scientist in Hampton, Va. "They drew pictures of the Sun together and compared them to what they used to think the Sun was like," said Pam.

"Integrating videoconferencing into instruction means students can learn from experts anywhere in the world, giving them access to teachers with specialized knowledge, props, and sometimes even a gift for the theatrical," reported the author.

ACELINK has supported interactive videoconferences at Franke Park, which we also make available to any educator in our consortium. For more information on this funding for programs, contact schaufes@ipfw.edu.

Homestead Students Teach French to 1st Graders

First graders in Bonnie Wainwright's Aboite Elementary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) class have been learning French from high school students this spring with the help of 21st century communications technology. They have a videoconferencing unit in their room connected to Mrs. Ferkel’s classroom at Homestead High School.

Mrs. Ferkel's French 111 students prepare and send lessons for the first graders each week. Mrs. Wainwright's class receives the materials and interacts with the high school French students via distance technology. Students have been learning the French alphabet, numbers, colors, school items, body parts and more.

This collaboration is supported by the ACELINK project and district administration. The two classrooms in Southwest Allen County Schools connect via IP point-to-point with their Tandberg equipment, saving the cost and time of travel between buildings. Congratulations to all involved in this innovative and exciting collaboration!

Watch Video of the General Assembly Online

The Indiana General Assembly Web site has the information you need to learn more about the democratic process and participate in state government. Through http://www.legislative.in.gov/, you can watch or listen to General Assembly sessions from your computer, obtain legislator contact information, check session calendars, search bills and resolutions, research Indiana laws and administrative rules and more!

When the Assembly is in session, you can watch video from the Senate, House, House Ways & Means Committee and House Committe Room 156c.

Mark this site in your Favorites for the next legislative session and check it out!

Fort Wayne Students Explore Planet Mars

Students from Brentwood Elementary and Memorial Park Middle School recently launched their own explorations of the red planet with the Challenger Learning Center in Brownsburg, Indiana. In this highly interactive and exciting program:

• Students explored various challenges facing a mission of this distance.
• Students increased their understanding of life in a microgravity environment.
• Students toured major landmarks on the Martian surface.
• Students understood how technology influences the course of history.

Teachers from both schools prepared their students for the interactive videoconference by reviewing the packet of materials sent to them in advance. They also talked with their students about expectations and learning goals for this special session.

ACELINK supported the project by helping with scheduling the event, coordinating technology support with Fort Wayne Community Schools, and providing funding for the program costs.

For information about other programs from the Challenger Center, see their website or contact schaufes@ipfw.edu.

Representative Espich Partners with ACELINK

On Wednesday, April 12, three area high schools participated in the IPFW Virtual Town Hall Meeting (Fort Wayne, Indiana) with Indiana Representative Jeff Espich. The Representative, also chair of the House Ways and Means committee, joined students from Elmhurst, Leo and Paul Harding to discuss the state budget, spending priorities and answer students' questions. Andy Downs, IPFW's director of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, moderated the discussion from IPFW's Kettler Hall. Students from each location interacted with the Representative in the live two-way video meeting supported by ACELINK and a multipoint control bridge at East Allen County Schools.

The next Town Hall Meeting will be May 12, and our guest will be determined soon. For information on signing up for this free program, contact Sandy Schaufelberger at 260-481-0747 or schaufes@ipfw.edu.

To talk with Professor Downs about other topics he can present via live videoconference, send him an email at downs@ipfw.edu.

Art & Science Combine in Hands-On Learning

On March 17, Mike Gibson's New Haven, Indiana (EACS) 6th grade science class participated in an interactive videoconference with the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta. ACELINK supported the program with funds from our Foellinger Grant, and we helped Mr. Gibson schedule the program.

The Center for Puppetry Arts provides hands-on puppet building workshops via videoconferencing and tailors them to specific classroom topics and curriculum. The arts are infused with science, social studies, language arts and other disciplines to create a dynamic, interactive virtual classroom for a virtual field trip experience.

In this program, students build a Spider Marionette while participating in learning activities about how spiders and insects differ, web vs. wandering spiders, and the lifecycle of a spider.

According to Mr. Gibson, "The program went very well. The students enjoyed it very much. The science content was also good. Thanks for the opportunity to use this new technology."

ACELINK Connects Lugar to Schools

On Friday, March 10, five Fort Wayne, Indiana area high schools participated in the IPFW Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Senator Richard Lugar. The Senator--connected through the US Senate Studios-- joined students from Bishop Dwenger, Carroll, Elmhurst, Leo and Paul Harding to discuss his views on energy and the Nunn-Lugar legislation. Lisa Grier, IPFW's first Lugar Scholar, moderated the discussion from IPFW's Kettler Hall. Students from each location were able to interact with the Senator in the live two-way video meeting supported by ACELINK and a multipoint control bridge at East Allen County Schools.

The next Town Hall Meeting will be April 12, and our guest will be State Representative Jeff Espich. For information on signing up for this free program, contact Sandy Schaufelberger at 260-481-0747 or schaufes@ipfw.edu.