Round table introductions and agenda review led our discussion.

I.   USDLA/New York:

Liz Huggler:  Called Louis Strickoff from the NYSDL Association which is sponsored by the USDLA.  They are working towards 501c status and hope to have the paperwork completed by January ‘09.  Shelley Rositto, Debra Atkins and Sharon Kaiser intend to participate in the USDLA/NY so that we can be kept informed on their progress. Liz also attended the meeting of the NYSDLA and is planning to apply to their board.

II. Techies Meeting:

a. Donna Farren needs help with monitoring the videoconferences and doesn’t know how to
    troubleshoot anything on the bridge.  Bill Walton said he would help her.

b. Tami Fancher:  Polycom has great training – 1 week training.

c.  Debra Atkins from Sullivan BOCES – move maintenance to another vendor who will help you.

d. Mike Sylofsky suggested go to anybody on state contract:  CDWG, One Vision, PCC

e.  John Palazinski from Polycom is a good support person.

f. Maintenance:

1. Mike Sylofsky seldom buys maintenance on end points. He believes it’s much more
    high end than what they would want.  Polycom used to offer it, but now more
    premium.  One Vision is trying to work out something.

2. Software updates sometimes cause problems on Polycoms—general consensus is
    that when the unit is working, they don’t immediately install the software update. 

3. Oneida Herkimer BOCES:  Polycom 9000 HD (.261) Unit wouldn’t talk to the Polycom
    7000 (.323) units – wouldn’t talk to each other – need firmware updates for these. 
    Use the HD units for Mandarin. 

4.  HD – TV, Polycom, Bridge, Projector all have to be HD.

g. PVX Software:

1. Donna Farren has on her own laptop.

2.  Co. BOCES uses PVX for a home student in Eldred.  Teacher has on their computer and student      has on a laptop computer with software on it at home.  DP Reel – firewall traversal equipment      also.  District bought it for student to use.  Teacher has eyeball tracking camera. 

3.  Mike:  Reliability?  Tami gets echoing with it.  Tony A – get a communicator – echo
     canceling microphone. Ken Ford reinforced use of communicator.

4.  Steve Fenton uses to monitor rooms. 

5.  Can’t do multipoint with PVX software.

6.  Mobi – also being used (Tandberg version)

7.  Monticello School district does it with Adobe Connect Connection. 

8.  SMART technology or similar ones – being used with DL.  Yes, general consensus.

9.  Why use PVX versus Adobe Connect Connection, which is server based?  Is there
     more support needed for PVX?

10. Solution for MAC?  xMeeting (free) or install using my Parallels side.

h. Live Video Streaming:

1.  Ulster does it.

2.  Monticello wants to do for graduation

3.  All public meetings are required to be video cast – law on the books—hasn’t hit schools yet.

i. Tandberg Presentation:  Josh Levy and John (engineer/designer) well versed in video.

1.         Tandberg – people + content proprietary h.239 standard check box to support
            that and have it enabled – enable on both ends.  Need latest versions of software
            in order to make sure they can match the code requirements.

2.         VCS Expressway unit:  critical – provides a link that negotiates the firewall to the server.

4.         Content server:  all similar in what they do.  One device sitting in your data
            center, pick up remote and hit record and it goes into content server.  Simple to
            use, resolution unbelievable and can trans-code 5 sessions at one time. 
            Trans-code real, quick time, and windows media all at one time.

5.         ISDN Gateway:  Going to IP because of cost, network access, bandwidth.  Price
            just recently increased approx 3x.  Tandberg makes a Gateway:  converts IP to
            gateway and then can go out ISDN.  Good quality echo cancellation with
            Tandberg.  Ability to bring audio into conferences  3000 codec 4 and 6000 codec 6.         Can be in a video session and colleague is traveling, can switch to telephone and
            bring in audio participants.

7.         MOVI:  appliance for web based high quality desktop videoconferencing, similar
           to PVX.  One appliance sits at a data center.  Standards based camera, i.e. a browser. 

8.         Field view: a camera that connects to a network has a stylus, you can draw with
            on and send what you’re seeing and what you’re writing and will be calling your
             Polycom or Tandberg unit.  Talks camera to multiple pc’s. 

9.         Video communication Server:  Allows you to take a SIP and h.323 call simultaneously.              Protocol agnostic dialing

10.       TMS:  Tandberg Management Suite – Scheduling, CDR and Billing, and other options.

11.       Tandberg Codian (bridge) – standards based appliance also an application for
            this called Clear Vision.  Can do every layout differently for every site that’s
            connected using far end camera control – on their remote.  Polycom DTMF menu
            allows you to do that (?)

12.       Optimal Definition – can make video look awesome at 384K – doing DVD quality
            video at very low speeds.

13.       MOVI:  SIP appliance – truly runs inside of a browser – right now with IE.  Not
            loaded on individual machines—everything happens on the appliance.  Changes: 
            MOVI 2:  supported by multiple browsers and traversal capabilities.  HD desktop
            if your pc supports it.  

14.       Ensemble Video:  Bill Bullen – Syracuse University developed this software to solve a video             sharing and publishing problem.  For schools/organizations trying to collaborate.

15.       Take video content from a number of sources and make it available to multiple websites. 

16.       Ex.  Do a video of a speaker that comes in and speaks to group.  Loaded it into
            Ensemble and made available in Blackboard CMS and other websites. 

17.       Record Videoconferences – DL Classes

III. Professional Training Topics – Resources –
            collaborative from multiple institutions and shared with others.

• Video on Demand Applications: 
• Tully CSD – Mandarin lessons recorded and accessible for students and community
• Roxboro MS – TV broadcasting – Recorded each morning with announcements and broadcast throughout school.
• Video Library – MORIC – District Video and shared resources

Global Citizenship website

• SU – recorded online presentation

Homework problems captured on document camera Recording classes

• Online Narrated slide show – student orientation

Convocation Address – recorded and shared with classmates

• Acceptable Use Videos
• Emerging Technologies:
• Video production
• Videoconference Recording
• Lecture Capture – Accordent (sample)
• Media POINTE Digital Media Recorder (lecture capture device) to capture everything that’s in the room
• Screen Capture:  Goto Meeting,
• Personal Computer Editing/Encoding Tools:  Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, Photo Story, Silverlight, Final Cut Pro,

Challenges:

• Multiple individuals/departments creating video
• Multiple video content/creating technologies
• Multiple media formats and servers
• Multiple Web properties where video assets should be published
• How can you support and encourage more users and applications?
• Deal with hosting and serving media in variety of formats?
• How to make it easy to catalog, publish, and find video?
• How to control access to content?
• How to enable content sharing?

Tips:

• Avoid TV mentality
• Think about your workflow for recording and publishing
• Do small things and grow
• Low cost solutions are ok to start with
• Monitor usage and performance
• How you encode media affects server space
• Don’t try to limit creators –
• Use what you put out there – what can be improved, what’s wrong etc
• Strive for improved quality
• Cultivate expertise
• Collaborate

Ensemble Video:

• Video content created, stored on some type of server, published to a destination or several destinations.
• Ensemble sits between all of it, captures all of it and publishes it out.  Can publish or un-publish a video—it will stay in directory but be taken off the website.
• Organization – department – websites wanting to publish to as a department html plug in based on ajax code. 
• Supports flash, mpeg, formats
• Import content from Tandberg content server – load in based on keyword match
• Manage video sources – upload a video, directory watch,
• Mohawk RIC site:  http://video.moric.org

IV. E.M.T.A. (Educational Media and Technology Association):

• Fall meeting in Cooperstown.  Sept 24, 25, 26
• Day 1 – open for meetings and corporate partners - 
• Day 2 – Ian Jukes speaker—3 or 4 sessions (Extra fee for this)
• Day 3 – Panel Discussion (programming is for am only) 

• Tony Abbatielo will check with E.M.T.A. to see if there’s an extra room for us to meet in on Wednesday.  Only day NYSDLC will meet—Sept 24.

Tony Abbatielo found out the following for the September meeting; Chuck asked me to contact you regarding the room at the Otesaga 
for the distance learning group on Sept.24th.  There is a room available.  The name of the room is the Natie Bumppo room.  The cost  for the room is $125.  Some one would need to contact the Otesaga by  this Friday (May 9th) to book the room.  The contact is Ms. Brooke  Bowen.  Her phone number is (800)348-6222 ext.3.  If there any  questions or problems.  Have whoever calls, contact me.   JPP

• E.M.T.A. would like a representative from our group on the panel for Friday.

V.  N.Y.S.C.A.T.E.: 

• Our group had presence there last year.
• One Vision provided equipment and we shared their booth.
• Connected with people – live videoconferences with Mike Bayba showed the technology.
• Next N.Y.S.C.A.T.E. Conference:  Nov 23-25 for 08-09 in Rochester
• Debra will work with Shelly to get space and vendor to share costs
• The N.Y.S.D.L.C. group has a break out session for collaborations we’ve been doing with vendors.
• Tom Haddad is willing to create a video for how to connect the VC equipment for a videoconference as an instructional tutorial.  They will post on their Ensemble site and then on our website too.
• Could partner with NYSCATE to develop our own version of this conference

VI.  N.Y.S.D.L. Association:

• Louis Strickoff applied to the USDLA to get this status.  Where does that leave us?

• NYSDLC subcommittee was created to work on whether we apply for non-profit incorporation.  Tony, Donna, Tami, Michelle B., and Sharon (Chair) will be on the committee to review the pros and cons.  This will be on the agenda for the fall meeting.

• Having some level of representation with the NYSDLA to come back to us would be helpful.  Shelly and Debra are also willing to participate with that group.
• Debra will go back through email to get information for the group and will share it with us.

• It would be nice to have a corporate component when we want to videoconference and what businesses have those capabilities.  It could provide us a chance to collaborate with businesses.

VII. Conferences

a. Texas DL Conference: 

• Teachers brought with them to the conference their projects, what they were doing, who you could call. It was a very collaborative atmosphere.  Most of it was things you could do for free.  The main focus was on video conferencing.

• Next year this conference is being held in Corpus Christie:  April 4 – 9, 2009 according to the Texas DLA website.  $250 registration.  Rooms were around $85 per night. 

b. Assoc. of Supervision for Curriculum and Development:

• Might be a good place to present at their conference. 

c.  Other Conferences:

• Holly has a 3-day conference with a technology strand in August.  We could participate and see a smaller conference.
• Tami:  Connections ‘08 world wide VC group meeting is being held at Baseball Hall of Fame
• Virtual Learning Experiences:  Holly Sharp

VIII. Collaboratives and Exciting Projects:

• Rene and Holly had the 2nd VC Collaborative for NYS
• Holly wants a time to talk about collaboratives
• Debra:  How do you make sure the next step happens when there is interest after the collaborative session. 
• Rene:  2 days is not enough time – follow up needs to happen.
• Tami:  Pick a collaborative ex:  Mystery Quest and focus and develop and sign up for dates when they leave.  They will have their partners when they leave
• Holly:  had a district attend the 1st one and sent some to the 2nd one.  They have now signed up for DL service and are requesting many things out of the collaborative
• Rene:  We continued the wikki from the NYSCATE conference.  Rene has groups collaborating from the sessions we’ve done.
• Tami:  Poetry Slam collaborative
• Holly:  Now going to do Poetry Slam also

N.Y.S.D.L.C. Meeting – Day 2

I.  September Meeting – send agenda items to Steve – keep it more instructional

a. Agenda suggestions:

• Time limits will be considered for agenda items

b. Meeting format:

• July and January have tech group meeting at those sessions. 
• Where the January meeting am segment devoted to tech.
• Limit of one vendor at a meeting and at end of first day 
• Presentations of something of what we’re doing:

ex.  Empire State VC Collaborative and Tami’s Poetry Slam – how are
       we getting the post-vc follow up to work?

• Tami will check with the Baseball Hall of Fame for meeting space on Wednesday.
• Discussion and awareness on collaboratives partners.
• Collaboration Projects
• Develop a STATEWIDE DATABASE for Collaborative Partners.
• Courses:  ASL and certification
• Holly, Tony A, Rene, Mike all may need ASL sections
• Mandarin:  FLAP grant only 12 this year but next year 70 (end of first 3 year cycle)  Andrea Trejedor 6th grade 5 days a week doing through IP – Andrea will check on this
• Most of us that do offer the languages find that our classes fill up, which makes it hard to open them up for collaboration.
• Brigham Young University – specialty is foreign language – fully online option

• Techies meeting

• Question:  Do we want another day for tech issues only this summer?
• Suggestion that John Copeland from Tandberg be part of a tech training on h.323 for this group
• There was consensus to have a summer meeting for techies, although others interested can attend.
• Summer techie meeting will be help at the Cayuga Onondaga BOCES

Date:  July 23, Time:  9:00 start time – 4:00 pm

• Rene will check on a person to do h.323 training
• Address other topics to Tony Abbatielo

II.  N.Y.D.L.C. Yearly Fee:

     a.  An annual fee would make it easier to plan and pay for meeting expenses.

• Model Schools has a yearly fee.
• E.M.T.A. has a yearly fee.
• Group consensus:  $300 yearly membership to NYSDLC per one person per BOCES or district.  Additional people will be charged $85 per person per any segment of the year attended.
• Three meetings per normal year, 08-09 (9/24-26/08, 1/8-9/09, 5/18-19/09).
• Steve Smith will draft a registration form for the year and share with the List Serv to complete.

III. Video Conferencing Experiences:

• Michelle: Library Media services:  Jan Orzel had mentioned to me that one of the BOCES was doing links from their library services database.
• Tony:  Would like feedback from VC experiences.  His Ellis Island experience was not good, but Donna Farren’s program with them was.
• Rene is developing a database
• Andrea:  How do we find collaborative partners across the state? 
• Include links to the databases on our NYSDLC website
• Andrew Taylor:  Is there some type of meta search that can look through databases to collect requests for collaborations that could be brought to our website?

• Holly will follow up with Jeremiah about the database idea. 
• Rene hosts a guy (Paul Stillman) that does Civil War:  http://speakinghistorically.com 
• Rene will be a site for Jazz over the summer.  July 28-31, Aug 1

IV. EMPIRE STATE COLLABORATIVE:

• How many people are interested in doing the December event again?
• Tony A:  Great Barrier Reef one from Australia – excellent – did program at 7 pm after a full day of activities:  Dry presenter and Wet presenter who goes into tanks and talks from under water.
• Mote Marine Lab:  Fantastic programs from them.  (Tony had experienced some connection issues with his last connection.)
• Michelle:  Museum of Tolerance and Storyteller’s Drum had great programs from both of them.
• Mike:  WWII Museum in New Orleans – has heard good things about it
• Tony:  Intrepid Museum in NYC – will be starting up again.  People have had good experiences with them in the past.  Aircraft carrier program.  Only do ISDN
• Donna:  Connor Prairie (Follow the North Star) and Ward Melville Heritage Organization (Running Scared Running Free)(kids had to create their own escape route) – both on slavery.  Her teachers liked the Ward Melville Museum program better.
• Hands on Museum from Maine – owl pellets
• Cleveland Museum of Art – Native American Settlers
• Steve Fenton:  Connor Prairie (1836 House) program was good. 
• Laurie:  Connor Prairie did Sheep to Blanket
• Holly:  Alaska Sea Life Center used and teachers were making dolphins out of clay.  Liked their programs
• Andrea:  Center for Puppetry Arts – teachers who do it love it.  Butterfly one
• Laurie:  Center for Puppetry Arts – storytelling before making the puppets was great.
• Michelle:  Ocean Institute?  Others have done and liked the experience.
• Rene:  Manhattan School of Music had great programs with them.
• Mike:  Are any interactive collaborations within their districts?  Are there topics or curriculum areas would like ideas to present to teachers:
• Steve:  climate – research projects and did presentations

• Cheryl and Rene – have pre-k teachers who are going to collaborate and participate in videoconference with the botanical gardens.  Visit the wiki to see what’s going on:  http://www.virtualbugs.pbwiki.com
• Donna:  book buddies for classes K-2 and 3-5 schools.  They have pen pals with the other kids in the other school when they are going to move to the next school.  Pick a book and do an advertisement about the book and they do it via vc before they meet them in person.  Say their names and the younger kids typically show some piece of artwork about the book.

• Rene:  AIMS programs:  Adventures in Medical Science programs – forensics and medical programs.  $150 or $200 for those.  Health careers at BOCES have done those.  Ray Vollmer
• Laurie:  Meet Rebecca Rolfe (Pochohantas) through the History Studio. 
• Rene:  Read Around the Planet did a connection with Rene, he read a book for each class.
• Michelle:  University Circle’s preview series with Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Museum of Art.
• Tony:  Rock N Roll Hall of Fame
• Michelle:  Global Nomads Group
• Rene:  had students participate in the Kenya group
• Rene:  has districts include $3000 in a bank for vc programming
• Mike:  districts do their own point to point connections for videoconferencing and billing with content providers is done within the school district – not through BOCES
• Sharon:  Trying to find a balance of how equipment is used and pricing
• Tony A:  online courses and can they get aid on it?  Accelerate U model is that you add a fee for your coordination and support of the online courses.
• Andrea goes out and meets with the guidance counselors to make sure monitoring is going on.  And make them understand that there needs to be structure for students.  Provides training.
• Philosophy varies about providing support and running various programs through our co-sers.    How do we make BOCES services without aid should it ever be taken away?

V. DL Co-Ser Services:

Sharon:  vc/dl one place and online learning separate price under dl co-ser
Tami:  base fee and other option for vc
Tony:  courses and vc under one – Moodle separate co-ser
Mike:  dl room for vc;  pay for others separately, bb 6360 Instr Tech co-ser 7710 Admin services co-ser for vcing
GST:  all under dl co-ser

VI. NYSDLC MEETING DATES 2008-09:

Sept 24, 2008– Cooperstown
January 8 & 9, 2009 – Location?
May 18 & 19, 2009 – Location?

Steve will put together a form:  NYSDCL annual fee billing information and will send it out.