Watch this movie to hear Will Richardson explain how weblogs can change education and learning. It's a Quicktime file and plays just over 2 minutes. It will download quickly with a broadband connection, so give it a try!
http://blogs4teachers.com/WebLoggingSmall.mov
One of the most frequent questions I get about videoconferencing is how to find programs. We have never attempted to create a database of the providers because there are already great resources available from our friends in Michigan! Thanks to Janine Lim from Berrien County, Michigan for publishing a quick and easy content provider list that is up-to-date. Here's what she put on her blog yesterday...
I’ve just added a Printable Content Provider List to our VC Program Database linked on TWICE and Polycom. It pulls directly from the our database, so each time you print it, it’s the most up-to-date information we have at the time. At this moment, it has 219 providers and prints in 38 pages!
I will be happy to help teachers with specific content and scheduling questions. Don't forget that our ACELINK grant from the Foellinger Foundation provides funding for these programs through next year.
Today's virtual field trip activities will set a new record for ACELINK programming. We're supporting four different programs in area schools today, and three of the teachers are first time participants in this project!
Washington Elementary 2nd graders are talking with the Indianapolis Zoo about Shel Silverstein's book, The Giving Tree. Lee Senter is the teacher at Washington.
Catherine Clark's 6th graders at Memorial Park Middle School are talking with the Cleveland Museum of Art about Impressionism.
Homestead High School students in Toiyonna Arias' class are talking with the Smithsonian American Art Museum about Latino Art & Culture.
Finally, Lori Leonard's class at Heritage Jr/Sr High School are taking part in their second program with Alex's Virtual Lemonade Stand from MAGPI.
This month we'll support over 18 different classroom programs in two-way interactive videoconferencing through the ACELINK project. This is a great testimony to the success of this project and the teacher involvement in new and innovative uses of broadband technology for the classroom. Good job everyone!
Sandy Schaufelberger, project manager
The IPFW Virtual Town Hall program featured Senator Richard Lugar talking with five area high school classes in March. In this monthly free program, hosted by Andy Downs of the Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics, students are given the chance to participate in the political process by talking directly with elected officials about key topics.
The live, interactive multisite session was moderated by Downs from IPFW's campus, while the Senator connected from the US Senate studios in Washington. Senator Lugar talked with students about alternative fuel sources, foreign policy and energy security. Each school was given an opportunity to ask specific questions that the students prepared in advance. Participating schools included: Leo, Paul Harding, Homestead, Elmhurst and Anthis Career Center.
On February 22, 2007, students at Elmhurst High School were virtual jockeys (VJs) for the international Megaconference Jr. event. Principal Barb Gentry organized the event and recruited additional students from the school for technical support, set design, and other help.
Seen simultaneously in over 200 countries and states, the Megaconference Jr. programs highlighted students and their projects from many countries. Participants ranged from kindergarten to high school age kids, and Elmhurst opened their doors to the public so other educators and students could view the live videoconference.
"I was thrilled to take part in the MegaconferenceJr 2007. Having the opportunity to speak with other students around the world made me curious to know if the other students were anything like myself. I learned a little bit of everything through the wonderfully organized presentations. Overall, it was a benefit for everyone to participate because you receive a great understanding of how alike we are in the world." - Luke Sumers, VJ
"The MegaconferenceJr 2007 was a great opportunity not just for myself, but for my school and Indiana. We were able to talk to students from all parts of the world and see if they were doing the same "Teen-age" things that we do. On a not so serious note, I got a few of the countries to let loose and "raise-the-roof" as Americans call it. I had a blast during the conference and it was a great learning experience." - Abby Resor, VJ
"It was a good experience to participate in the MegaconferenceJr 2007. It gave our school a chance to connect with different school all over the world. It was amazing the enjoyable to see the similarities between all of the brilliant students that participated in the MegaconferenceJr." - Cierra Young, VJ
CBS News recently did a spotlight on virtual field trips for their morning news program. This is a great clip to show to people who don't understand what videoconferencing is or haven't had a chance to try a program. The clip has a 30 second commercial first, and then the main clip is 3:33 minutes. You'll need a media player to watch the program.
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=2507464n
Please share this clip with others who are interested in videoconferecing field trips! Thanks to Bob Dixon from OSU for sharing this link with me.
Today, students at Anthis Career Center, Fort Wayne, Indiana, were the first in their building to observe the Total Knee Replacement surgery from COSI Columbus by two-way interactive video. Students were given a powerful learning experience by interacting with the surgeons and medical personnel in the operating room. Students received an information guide on knee surgery and the careers associated with the operating room. Celeste Burns, the teacher, received an information packet and materials for pre-and post-experience activities for the classroom.
"This program was unbelievable. Career exploration, skill building and connecting to community (our mission) were all there. Thank you for this opportunity! Our teachers and students were excited. We are just beginning, but these types of opportunities are going to make our programs even more rigorous, relevant and help us connect better with community." --Larry Gerardot, principal at Anthis
ACELINK supported the program with funds from our Foellinger Foundation grant.
