NYSDLC Meeting – Day 1

Round table introductions and agenda review led our discussion.

I.   Techies Session

   a. The status of ( I2 )-

• Erie 2, Monroe 1, B-T BOCES and GST BOCES are on now. Probably more BOCES as of the posting of these notes.
• Firewalls and filters can affect the connections.
• Erie 2 is connecting to Daemen College for classes. Seems to be faster higher quality video.
• GST was able to drop an AT&T connection.
• Erie 2 using it for various meetings and presentations.
• District fees for using I2 will be set up by their RIC.
• Each RIC purchases space and then there’s a total amount of space available.

   b. RIC to RIC Connectivity

• 12 RICs will be connected. We believe (7) are now connected.
• A 13th connection is NYSERnet.

                       
   c. Implementation and Support Recommendations for Web-Based Video Conferencing with                              
       Web Cams or Videochat/Mac

• Monticello CSD uses Adobe Connect and Dim Dim. Also use Zen to control desktop.
• Daemen College uses Adobe Connect too. One downside is you can only record what you view.
• Sharon shared that SMART offers videoconferencing software called BridgIt (web cam on a PC)
• Skype: There are very significant security issues with school networks.
• Editing digitally recorded classes – Dave Stevens suggested recording on to a different device so that it is seen as one file.

   d.Mobile Video Technology Issues

• Wireless cameras with audio/video can now connect to new versions of Polycom and Tandberg units.
• Mobile technology still isn’t as user friendly for teachers who want to use it without technical help.

   e.ERATE

• We discussed how refunds are disbursed.

   f.MISC.

• Erie2 has a server dedicated for podcasts.
• Putnam Valley CSD does no filtering in their school.
• Monticello CSD plans to build a public network for students in their district as a separate VLAN. Students will be allowed to bring in personal devices and connect to this network.

II. Follow up on EMTA Plans:

• Would like to be invited to their annual conference again.
• Overall feeling it was a good conference this past year having all three groups (DTC, EMTA, NYSDLC) meet and share.
• Tami Fancher will work with the Baseball Hall of Fame again to set a meeting again in the fall after EMTA establishes a meeting date.

III. Other distance learning Opportunities such as Elluminate and Adobe Connect

• Adobe Connect flash file format is smaller.
• Dimdim is a web-based video conferencing tool.
• Mebeam is another web-based video conferencing tool. We played with it at this meeting. Real easy to set up.
• Ustream.tv – broadcast and chat online

IV. Share a Content provider/Program That Was Well received in Your Districts

• Empire State Collaborative (ESC) and the next one is schedule for April ’09.
• Google Chat used for a two day session with district leaders
• Next ESC decision on one or two days being worked on
• Tami Fancher mentioned the possibility for another Poetry Connection, if anyone wants to participate.

V. NYSCATE           

• There were problems with bandwidth available for some of our programs.
• OneVision is willing to partner and share their booth again this fall.
• We may consider pre-taped examples that can run on a loop in the booth area.
• Are there other options for us to demonstrate real uses of video conferencing?
• Need to finalize as much as possible at our May meeting.

NYSDLC Meeting – Day 2

Vi. NYSDLC Meetings: Format/membership/Content

   A. Membership:

• Discussion regarding membership should remain with BOCES/RICs only. Previous actions removed vendors from being members of this committee. The group felt there should not be school district representation. Members who were previously with a BOCES/RIC and now are with a district will be grandfathered in. School districts may be invited to attend future meetings as appropriate.
• At our May meeting we will revisit how this year went with our new membership charge.

   B. Format/Content

• We will discuss further at our May meeting.

VII. Statewide Database for Connecting Collaboration Partners

• Accelerate U – Several BOCES use it because of NYS certified teachers. Also aidable.
• Several are offering online courses Aventa, Apex, Florida Virtual Schools, eyc.
• We will discuss online options further at our may meeting.

VIII. NYSDLC Website

• Our web site is out of date. Please send up dates for contacts and members to Steve Smith
• It was also suggested we open the section on “Technical resources”. All are to send updates to Steve ASAP.

IX. Round Table:

• A SMARTboard group has been put together for NYS to share ideas and learn new technology.
• Shelley Rositto  created a Moodle site and a NING componentInternet site NYSCATE.ning.com/groups/whiteboards has been set up as an interactive site to talk about SMARTboard uses.
• If you want to view courses available at the Erie 2 BOCES go to http://distlrn.e2ccb.org
  

VI.       NYSDLC MEETING DATES 2008-09:

May 18 & 19, 2009 – Binghamton Regency - Binghamton