The New York State Distance Learning Consortium
Meeting Notes
For
January 20 & 21, 2005
Binghamton, NY
The following is a summary of our most recent meeting. Please let Steve Smith know as soon as possible if anything has been omitted or reported in error. Many thanks to Elizabeth Huggler for taking meeting notes.
- Introduction, Agenda Review and Review of October 2004 Meeting Notes
A. Agenda Review—We did a quick review of the agenda. We are again asked to refrain from networking our laptops while discussion was underway.
B. Introductions and welcome to new members was made. Review of October 2004 meeting minutes. A motion to accept these minutes was made by Steve P. and second Bill Walton. We are reminded that all meeting minutes are still on our web site.
2. Sharing Uses of Video Streaming
A. Ulster BOCES is planning to open their streaming out for others to use.
The Clearwater Project Program has been streamed successfully to the
web. Some of the lessons learned were that the lights in the classroom
need to say one and that muting at receiving sites took away from the
“local” feel for the educator. Another stream will be done on March 18.
B. One of the websites mentioned was Global Nomads Group (GNG) a non-profit organization dedicated to heightening children's understanding and appreciation for the world and its people. Using interactive technologies such as videoconferencing,
C. A brief discussion regarding students on the Internet ensued.
D. Microsoft Producer makes it easy to capture and synchronize audio, video,
slides and images—creating engaging rich-media presentations. This is a
free download used to integrate PowerPoint presentations into a video
stream. Paul Rubio reports that when these are moved to the web they do
not always stream nicely. Some folks are using a product called Impatica
because it is more stable when moved to the web. All of Impatica's
products are available for no-obligation evaluation. All evaluation versions
are fully functional versions of the software.
E. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was discussed a potential issue
when streaming lessons to the web. It was a hot topic at the national
conference for online learning in Florida this year. ADA applies to any
content put on the web including any video streaming. Discussion followed
regarding the “owness” of accommodations for web casting.
3. Grant opportunities for Distance Learning
A. Some of the current grants being used to subsidize Distance Learning throughout the state are the RUS grant and Title II D. Barb received a message from the Atlanta Museum looking for Partners in a grant targeted to the Latino/Hispanic populations. She will post to the list serve.
4. Distance Learning Classrooms
A. The usual conversation of traditional distance learning vs. online
learning took place. Everyone agreed the BOCES role is to coordinate
whatever DL is used or chosen by a district. A suggestion was made to
create a “BOCES Clearinghouse” of online offerings. The need for
BOCES to continue to be the innovation for Distance Learning is apparent
to all. A sharing of current online costs structures took place. Followed
by a discussion around online staff development.
5. Marketing Materials
B. We discussed the many ways BOCES can or could market DL. Some use brochures, CD’s, “road shows”, and general advertising through the BOCES.
6. Cost Structures
C. Various per student per course structures are set up. The continued dilemma of district charging for courses or not charging is an ongoing topic of discussion. As we merge and share networks these issues will need to be flushed out.
7. Online Learning
A. Blackboard is being used in multiple ways around the state. Those who
use it like the various tools it offers and find that the expense in not an
issue because of it’s versatility. Angel is a new flexible alternative to
Blackboard. Some of the colleges are switching other software such as
Angel and WebCT.
8. Collaborative Projects:
A. March 18th “Mega” conference discussion…A collaborative project looking for connections to showcase virtual learning across the state. A suggestion was made for each section of the state to commit to sponsoring then sharing a project with other regions, Connectivity discussion followed. The suggestion that links to these projects be placed on the NYDLC website to centralize and minimize teacher searches. Two software’s Elluminate (http://www.elluminate.com/products.jsp) and The Learning Times (www.learningtimes.net), they web conferencing online communities.
9. Interconnectivity
A. The discussion on possible network connections continues. The NAVS region map was shared. Western NY is moving to the IP solution with Adelphia and Time Warner. This will enable them to connect to current IP based networks. Costs and line charges will be a hot topic as this project moves forward. As the discussion moved to the possible impacts these connections could make the general consensus was that pricing is (would be) dictated by current local costs.
B. Video conferencing has been removed from the NY Learns site while they seek solutions to keeping them updated.
C. It was agreed again that a connection with Dave Walsh, Chief Officer fro Information Technology should be made. Steve Smith, Mike Baba, Shelly Rossitto, Eliz Huggler, and Paul Rubio will represent NYSDL if the contact can be made.
D. Colleges are a source of interconnectivity. Some college’s offer reduced or not cost tuitions via DL. It seems that several DL rooms in colleges connect to BOCES/RIC networks but are not being utilized.
10. WebPages
A. Steve brought the site up for review. The Jeff Lewis BOCES needs some
modification.
B. The use of photos for promotional reasons was questioned. The idea of
having a check off box on sign in sheets to get permission from folks
being video streamed from a DL room was shared.
Paul Rubio invited anyone who wanted to stay and preview his videoconference via Elluminate at the end of the meeting.
Day 2
11. Birds Of A Feather Sessions:
A. Instructional:
· Keuka College for ASL teachers. The need for certified ASL teachers is evident across the state. Steve P. asked if anyone had room to share ASL time slots with his network.
· Schedules were shared.
· Audio issues continue to be an issue when sharing across networks. These are small fixes that need to be addressed on an as needed basis.
· Tompkins Courtland Community College TC 3 does not charge tuition for their high school students, because the district pays for the teachers.
· College visits through Distance Learning. Virtual visits (look on line for these sites).
· Colleges have a “faculty” day that would be a good opportunity for us to do a DL presentation. We need to find a venue to get to the department chairs to move DL in college to the next level.
· Parent financial aide workshops from the colleges over DL.
· March 18 discussion: Development of this staff development.
· What are the benefits of going on the NAV’s system? Sharing the in a larger network. Discussion IP vs. NAV’s.
· Scheduling issues continue to be the main stumbling block in making DL successful. We talked about the development of schedules.
· What is the incentive to teach courses via DL? Suggestion to take one duty away to encourage first year DL teachers. Sharing experience at a staff development day or teacher meeting with testimonials from students, to demonstrate how it works. Rick Walters video clip on the DL website is another way to show it.
· Teacher training was discussed. Generally all the networks have a staff development day for DL teachers prior to them beginning their course.
· The suggestion came up to make sure that courses that are offered for college credit have a different name at the high school than at the college. To promote to college faculty show them the students that they would be getting are the high-end students that they normally would not get. It may also be a way to retain the University bound student locally a little longer. Each of us should share our community college contact on the list serve so they can begin the pricing and sharing discussion at their level.
· AIS extended day program is being offered via DL. Sharing teacher initiatives i.e. curriculum mapping via DL.
· March 18 Regional Professional Developments.
Herkimer BOCES
|
Time |
Content |
Presenter |
|
Schools Available to share teacher connectivity Conversation about how and why connectivity. Share whom to contact to further explore Distance Learning. |
|
8:45 –10:15 |
4th Grade SS |
Cat/All BOCES (Judy) |
Demonstration Description |
|
|
10:30 –12:00 |
Clear Water |
Ulster BOCES (Paul) |
Demonstration Description |
Ń Statewide conversation on 4th grade SS using Distance Learning to enhance collaborate initiatives.
Ń 4 sites will be determined after a conversation with Bill Walton to ensure the technology will work across the state.
Ń Teachers can view and interact with demonstration teachers.
Ń Illuminate is a solution to not limiting the # of participants.
Ń Need to clarify that the audience is not limited to 4th grade teachers.
B. Technology:
· Discussed who would be converting to NAVS this fall
· Discussed making NAVS and I/P connections (Some BOCES have one others have the other)
· Discussed who was going to moble DL carts
· Discussed who was building more DL rooms
C. Reconvene of Groups:
· Each group reported out on their discussion.
12. NYSCATE & NYSSBA Conference Presenter Reports
· Andrew Taylor presented an online course, showed video conferencing via the computer at NYSCATE.
· Chris Staats presented at NYSSBA, he was faced with general anger to which he quickly changed to positive attitude toward DL. (with the help of his former principal)
· We talked about the importance of identifying groups that would make the greatest impact on the advancement of DL. NYSSBA ended up being a good venue. Perhaps NYSCOS or Rural Schools would be good conferences to look into as well.
13. Open Discussion
· How does the NAV’s work between the two sites? Mike explained how 3x3 is necessary for multiple classes. Steve shared how his equipment is tied into the NAV’s.
· E-rate: pre discount billing was questioned. Fear is that if e rate goes away then you do not have a year to figure out how to maintain the network. It is better to give monies back than to have to increase the fees significantly. Broome Tioga had a “mini” audit of their technology. This sparked an e-rate discussion.
14. Next meeting - May 5 & 6, 2005 in Binghamton.
Proposed meeting dates for 2005/06
Oct 13/14
Feb 2/3
May 18/19
15. According to the registration sheet, the following individuals attended this meeting.
NAME SCHOOL/AGENCY
Abbatiello, Tony Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
Adams, Chris Mohawk RIC
Bartholomew, Michelle Broome-Tioga BOCES
Bayba, Mike Erie 2 BOCES
Biazzo, Kris Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Blackington, Roger Monroe #1 BOCES
Buonanno, Barbara Center for Applied Technology
Dixon, Martie Erie Community College
Ertl, Ted Erie 1 BOCES
Fenton, Steve St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES
Fraley, Robert Orange-Ulster BOCES
Hartmann, Denise Oswego BOCES
Hicks, Michael Sullivan County BOCES
Hill, Judy Catteragus-Allegany BOCES
Huggler, Elizabeth Sullivan County BOCES
Hughes, Chris Lower Hudson RIC
Jakobovic, John Genesee Valley BOCES
Kaiser, Sharon Genessee valley BOCES
Landas, Nyle Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Putman, Steve St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES
Rossitto, Shelley Montecello CSD
Rubeo, Paul Ulster BOCES
Sauberan, Jeanne Erie I BOCES
Smith, Steve Broome-Tioga BOCES