The New York State Distance Learning Consortium
Meeting Minutes
For
January 26 & 27,2006
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.
Introduction, Agenda Review and Review of May Meeting
Minutes
Mike Bayba facilitated our morning discussion. It was duly noted that he did not supply chocolate in Steve’s absence.
- We shared our titles
- Agenda additions
Elearning symposium
May staff developers meeting
Talk about blackboard space that has been developed
- Notes changes #11
Roundtable Discussion
- SKYP: { Skype is a free and simple software download owned by eBay that will enable you to make free calls anywhere in the world in minutes. Skype uses innovative P2P (peer-to-peer) voice over IP (voip) technology to connect you with many other Skype users. You can talk with other Skype users through your computers microphone after downloading a copy of Skype. Some popular features with Skyp are SkypeOut and SkypeIn. With the Skype Out feature, you can make calls to any phone in the world, not just to regular free skyp users. Skype is available in download format for Windows 2000 & XP, Mac OS X, Linux, and Pocket PC. } It was reported that a technical Paper has been developed by Erie I RIC
- Evaluating Video Conferencing
CILC evaluation tool for videoconference. { CILC E-News is an online newsletter, published periodically, which focuses on K-16 educators who are interested in learning and sharing about interactive videoconferencing (IVC) and related technologies. }We will keep our blackboard for more of videoconference discussion area. Michelle will add users from the list serve. Mike B. Talked about a mock trial project through CILC, some reported that they are not as happy with going through CILC, recommend that they go directly to the content provider. On demand Jeff E. Goes directly to content provider, for multipoint he suggests we do both. Indiana has a statewide Internet service so all point have to go through a single gateway area. Discussion revolved around the billing issues, connecting, who are responsible district or BOCES. The process seems to vary around the state.
We discussed how to CoSer fieldtrips, through Art n Ed or DL.
- Statewide connectivity and I-2
The discussion shifted to I-2 and Time Warner statewide connectivity. Eliz tried to explain that TW will connect only a limited # of connections. Mike B. asked would anyone please tell me why I would connect to Internet 2?? We were looking for instructional reasons. HGTV video conferencing seems to be the only qualitative value added reported. Bob F. suggested to the group that with a bundled solution you actually save money on your monthly charges. Michelle made a valid point, if we do not move toward I-2 are we NYS isolating ourselves from the rest of the world i.e. Mega conferences.
{Each year, the Mega conference occurs as a result of a tremendous amount of volunteer effort and good willwith the goal of connecting people together everywhere on Earth where someone chooses to participate, in order to further the use of videoconferencing in education and research and to advance of the state of the art in videoconferencing technology. On the chosen date, speakers from across the globe share their latest real-world uses of H.323 videoconferencing and other compatible systems, while using these videoconferencing systems to do so. http://digitalunion.osu.edu/megaconference/about.html}
Mike B. suggests that it may be more important right now to interconnect in the state to support classroom to classroom.
Break:
Mike B. Called us back to order firmly!
- Collaborative instructional projects
The discussion quickly moved to Moodle vs. Blackboard. Questions about tech support for Moodle were answered. Companies can be hired to train and support this open source software.
Jeff asked about already developed online high school courses. (Accelerate U, other options available, Keystone, Florida virtual)
Toni asked for charges, Shelley is going to send the pricing she had. Andrew Taylor at Ulster purchased the content from Keystone. Donna F. had students ask for courses and he couldn't provide a NYS certified teacher. Mike S. asked if anyone had found any high-level high school courses. His research shows that there are very limited high-level offering.
Discussion regarding how do you really assess the content, development and success of online learning. Several perspectives were shared.
Pod casting Standford University. Apple will be creating a similar portal so students can download lectures. They also have a deal going with United Streaming.
Many concerns around students multi tasking on AIM, I podding etc. A lively discussion around our "millennium" students ensued.
The dyslexic school in Buffalo GOWl,, Phil A. visited. Said the students all used electronics of some type. He was impressed with how when the teacher said ok put away all the tools they did.
Lunch
I-podding continuing: Copyrights are an issue. Teachers read the book then post to web page. Concerts the music is copyrighted. David Warlock blogging page. Michelle asked about blogging are there secure sites. Discussion followed regarding who does it why and how.
Steve circulated a document to update conducts.
- Statewide connectivity
John Kelch spoke with RIC directors earlier this week. Steve continued to report on the TW connectivity possibilities. Although this service may be available now with erate filing etc. most will likely wait until Sept. O7 to implement.
RIC Directors have received the Internet bid that was put out by Steve. He summarized and sent out, leaving the local negotiation to individual RIC directors.
Discussion around RIC vs. BOCES offering same services. We all agree that working in a partnership is the best model, but is that the reality.
Steve will forward or post to blackboard the DCI and DCT meeting agendas and minutes. He will also share our agendas and notes with them. Pete Riley is now facilitating the DCI group. It is important that we keep in touch and keep them posted on what we are doing.
Michelle had the idea to coordinate having Pete R, to attend videoconference into our next meeting.
It was documented that a BOCES and a RIC talking at this meeting.
- E-learning Symposium:
Shelley asked for feedback from this group. Then proceeded to review the program and what the intent of the symposium was. Jeremiah gave his perspective of how this symposium developed over time. We talked about what data was collected from it, how could we share it and as BOCES how could we support it. Jeremiah or Shelley will post the attendance list. We talked about the date issue from last year. Amy Perry will choose the dates and coordinate the location and costs. Donna suggested that a strand include a session demonstrating the technical implications and how it impacts learning. Leadership Summit July 18, 19. This is a NYSCATE sponsored program. Mike Bayba will present at this summit about the various qualities and or qualifications of a technology coordinator. Rene suggested that some of us collaborate to present best practices in DL., using various Distance Learning types. Michelle commented on the Internet 2 presentation, and how they need to make sure it is quality and really working, perhaps a shorter session and better facility considerations.
There is some discussion about “Wikies” and what they are!
- Dealing with teacher issues in the DL
classroom
Dealing with teacher issues in the classroom. It was agreed upon that the real issue is the guidance councilors placement or misplacement of students. Michelle developed a form for teachers to agree that they will teach via DL. Some discussion around how to entice teachers to teach via DL.
The question of local policies for handling snow days, delays and fire drills.
Teacher recognition.
- Courses best suited for DL
( http://moodle.org/) Michelle showed their Blackboard site (dl-btboces.org) and how we can utilize the discussion area she set up. Karen gave Web CT demo. (http://www.webct.com/) A comparison article can be found at http://insidehighered.com/news/2005/10/17/blackboard.
Resumed at 8:30 AM
January 27, 2006
Steve emphasized the importance of developing our agenda before we leave this meeting.
- Sharing Distance Learning Surveys
Tammy brought copies of her evaluation surveys for Students and teachers.
Mike mentioned surveymonkey.com as a tool for online
surveys. Some areas survey both students
and teachers, some just teacher. Tammy
explained how she goes to open houses at her districts to show the equipment
and potentials. She says they have seen an increase in participation
as a result. profilepro.com is used by
Ulster BOCES. Holly e-mail’s a word doc survey to her folks. Sharon shared a content providers strategy
for collecting surveys from participants.
They require a survey be filled out or they have to pay a $50 fee.
- Courses best suited for DL cont.
What classes are appropriate for DL? Erie 2 BOCES has classes such as mechanical drafting, fashion design and other hands on courses. St. Lawrence-Lewis offers AP Chemistry and Physics.
We talked about how to hire a teacher by contract instead of FTE. He tells the BOCES what he will charge for each district. Broome Tioga drew up a memorandum of understanding with the teacher union. ONC uses a consultant contract it is $2500 per class. Mike B. asked that we talk about how those of us who cannot use contract teachers, might purchase them through a BOCES that can offer this option. Steve discussed some of the CoSer issues.
- Potential course needs for next year
Broom-Tioga has a need for a Forensic teacher. Business departments are cutting back leaving a need for these courses to be offered over DL.
Discussion revolved around the Community College issues, turf issues. We will put this conversation on the agenda for next month.
Birds of a Feather
Instructional Breakout:
We struggled with setting an agenda for the “Distance Learning for Professional Developers Workshop”. setting the Welcome and Lunchtime were easy. We discussed who is the “staff development” audience we are looking for. BOCES/RIC staff developers or Assistant Superintendents for Instruction. Someone also suggested that we might want to include Teacher Centers in the discussion. It was decided that each represented RIC or BOCES at the NYSDL meeting would bring ONE staff developer from their region for the May meeting. (Just bring one from each region ads up to close to 50 participants) We talked about what is the definition of DL to a staff developer and how is it being used currently. A brainstormed list was developed and from that the following agenda is being recommended.
Thursday May 18
12:00 Welcome
12:30 Lunch
12:45-1:00 (reassemble for meeting)
1:00-1:30 Roundtable
- Introductions
- Review of Distance Learning definitions and examples as seen on our webpage.
1:30-2:30 Presentation of Quality examples of DL in Professional Development
- Room to room
- Video conference/Video streaming and archiving
- Online (Accelerate U)
- Blackboard/Moodle
2:30-2:45 Break
2:45-4:00 Sharing, Planning, Collaborative Efforts Roundtable
Technical break out:
Provided by Steve Smith
Open Discussion
The above agenda was shared with the group and finalized. Jeff E. suggested we use the Power Point from the webpage to help clearly define Distance Learning. Eliz volunteered to put together a registration flyer for the May Staff Developers meeting.
We then talked about the elearning symposium and how we could best participate. After discussion it was decided that a workshop on Professional Development and Distance Learning and a successful Student Project would be showcased. Karen, Eliz, Donna and Laurie will spearhead the Carmen San Diego type project. If we can find a vendor sponsor maybe more of us can participation in the conference. Some are looking into this.
Next meeting May 18 and 19
Additional Supplies needed for next meeting
TV/VCR/DVD player
Agenda items for next meeting: