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The New York State Distance Learning Consortium

www.nysdlc.org

 

Meeting Minutes

For

September 29th and 30th, 2003

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.

 

  1. Introduction, Agenda Review and Review of May Meeting Minutes

 

A.     Agenda Review—We did a quick review of the agenda.

B.     Review of May 15th & 16th, 2003 meeting minutes—After review a motion was made by Steve Fenton to approve the minutes and was seconded by Steve Putman.  All were in favor. We are reminded that all meeting minutes are still on our web site.

C.     Note, Bonnie Nizamis and Brenda Richey left their BOCES.

 

  1. Roundtable Discussion-

 

·        We were reminded that business casual attire would be appropriate for those who wish to be more comfortable at our meetings.

·        We discussed various interpretations of the distance learning co-ser as it relates to online learning. One interpretation is that as long as a NYS certified teacher is involved in the course plan process so that NYS standards are addressed, the course may originate form anywhere, be credit bearing and aidable if BOCES did the contracting. Further discussion and clarification is needed as others felt that it was interpreted that the course had to originate from NYS and particularly by a BOCES. The co-ser appears to be vague in describing conditions for online learning. We need to get further clarification from SED on this. Anyone having a contact or more clarifying document is asked to forward that to Steve Smith.

·        We discussed how the different BOCES charge or don’t charge for courses. Some feel that no course costs will promote more expansion. Others feel that by charging more districts will want to host and generate revenue. Some regions have tried both with no obvious affect on participation.

·        Mike Sylofski and Steve Smith reviewed how their inter-regional distance learning pilot was going. A district in the Broome region is receiving courses from a school in the Albany region via a NAVS service thru Verizon. So far all seems to be going fine. Mike and Jennifer Del Villano will be discussing course possibilities for next year. Steve asked if any other BOCES was interested in connecting for a course next year. Tony Abbatiello from Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES indicated he was. Tony, Steve and Jennifer will be discussing plans this fall.

·        Tracy Clark indicated that as of the end of this school year her BOCES wouldn’t be able to host our listserv. Bob Fraley of Orange-Ulster BOCES indicated he might be able to be our new host. Bob will respond to Steve Smith on this prior to our January meeting.

·        We discussed who is currently doing web-based learning courses. Sharon Kaiser indicated that the Genesee Valley BOCES area is using Accelerate U. at the 9th and 10th grade level. Andrew Taylor of Ulster BOCES indicated they are using Keystone Foundation which is a Blackboard based service. Call Andrew if you want to do a guest log on. His number is 845 255-1402. Others indicated they had used Babbage.net.

·        Certifying online staff was discussed. In addition to the 175 hour requirement other sources of achieving was to use Mylearningplan.com or Bagder.net.  (identified by Rodger Oesterle).

·         Rodger Oesterle suggested we consider developing an overview document reflecting the cost effectiveness of distance learning vs. a full time teacher.

·        Andy Verdon and Mike Sylofski discussed a letter Mike had sent to SED regarding clarification on the 5877 co-ser related to online learning.

·        Promoting NYSDLC. Please review our “white paper” on the NYSDLC website. At our next meeting will spend time on it for revisions and other P.R. ideas. We also need to consider someway for us to be linked to SED planning. An “Executive Summary” which Andy volunteered to draft. Robert will setup a discussion board using “Caucus” to collect ideas. A periodic newsletter could be another way to promote.

·        Mike Sylofski and Elizabeth Huggler will do a survey to collect the following data for our next meeting…by legislative district…# of students using DL, # of school district doing DL, Name of BOCES districts are in, age of students in DL, types of DL used, asynch, synch, etc., college credits generated and ERATE funds generated.

 

3.  Conference Discussions- 

 

A great deal of work goes into having a presence at these conferences. More of us need to get involved so that the same few are not relied on to carry the ball. It is to all of our benefit to pitch in wherever possible.

 

NYSSBA- 10/23 -10/26/03 Rochester

 

·            Elizabeth Huggler will coordinate presentations for the booth (10 & 11). Elizabeth is currently planning to have a demo of Keystone Online. Work with Paul Rubeo to set up an I/P dl demo and work with Mike Bayba for a presentation from one of Mike’s dl rooms.

·            Elizabeth is also finalizing the list of us who will be supporting the booth and at what times.

·            Holly Sharp has arranged for the following technical resources. One SDLS line for Internet access and three BRI lines for ISDN access. Additionally She will have a laptop and video projector in the booth along with a Polycom unit and a wide screen. Tony Abbatiello will also offer his special projection screen.

·            Mike Bayba will call his vendor regarding borrowing a 42” plasma screen and stand.

·            We will need three- six feet long tables and two-three chairs.

·            Holly will provide two 32” monitors on carts with power strips.

·            Steve Fenton offered to provide two laptops for the booth.

·            We will also need a vcr/dvd player.

·            Steve Smith said he had ordered two-20amp service.

·            Send Holly your business cards if want them in the booth.

·            Someone needs to get our banner to Albany for NYSCATE.

 

 

 NYSCATE Conference-11/23-25  Albany

 

·        Paul Rubeo reviewed a comprehensive list of programs we will be presenting. The time slots look nearly full. Paul will be doing a final run down with Presenters soon on their equipment needs.

·        Jeff Elliott and Mike Sylofski will order ISDN and Internet access for our booth thru Verizon.

·        We will need a laptop in our booth.

·        Kris Biazzo is coordinating who will be in our booth and at what times. Please contact Kris with your availability.

·        What other items do we need in the booth?

·        Send Paul your business cards if you want them in the booth.

 

 

             Video Conferencing -

 

No plans at this time.

 

 

4.   Our NYSDLC.ORG website –

 

We reviewed our website sections. Any that are under construction will not show until ready. We are each responsible for providing Steve Smith with updates that pertain to our BOCES regions. If our website is not current what is the value? Email any changes to Steve ASAP.

 

5.  Break out sessions

 

The Instructional and Technical group’s breakout session summaries.

 

·        Instructional Group – 

 

A. Discussed the following:

 

1.      Web-based courses/programs Babbage.net, Blackboard, Myclass Online Project Accellerate, etc.

2.      Online professional development programs

3.      How scheduling is going,increases/decreases

4.      Guidance counselor and principal involvement

5.      ibuz – Chris Staats

6.      Teacher assistant training

·        Regents prep – Chris Staats experiences.

 

·        Technical group –

 

·        Pilot status between Albany and Broome

·        Other regions interested in piloting with Broome – Cayuga-Onondaga

·        Classroom upgrades

·        I/P pilots for next year

 

6.   Fire Coordinator training discussion -  

 

Dale Gardner introduced Shawn Brimhall representing the NYS Department of State

Office of Fire Prevention and Control. Shawn discussed the training needs for

firefighters, both paid and volunteer to meet state requirements,. He also discussed how

distance learning is used to reach larger groups for training . We may be getting a request

from our county emergency coordinators to use our local distance learning sites for

training platforms. Thanks to Dale and Shawn for this presentation.

                                               

 

7.  Our Next Meeting - 

 

January 15 & 16, 2004 in Binghamton

May 6 & 7 2004

 

Please submit agenda items to Steve by December 12, 2003.

 

8.  According to the sign in sheet, the following individuals attended this meeting.

 

NAME                                                                                      SCHOOL/AGENCY                               

 

Abbatiello, Tony                                                                         Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES

Bayba, Mike                                                                              Erie 2 BOCES

Biazzo, Kris                                                                                Jefferson-Lewis BOCES

Carver, Rene                                                                              Schyuler Chemung BOCES

Clark, Tracy                                                                               Madison Oneida BOCES

Dentel, James                                                                             Eastern Suffolk BOCES        

Deyo, Karin Kell                                                                        Oneida BOCES

Elliott, Jeffrey                                                                              Questar II

Fenton, Steve                                                                             St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES

Fraley, Robert                                                                            Orange-Ulster BOCES

Hicks, Michael                                                                           Sullivan County BOCES

Hill, Judy                                                                                    Catteragas-Allegany BOCES

Huggler, Elizabeth                                                                       Sullivan County BOCES

Hughes, Chris                                                                             Lower Hudson RIC

Kaiser, Sharon                                                                           Genesee Valley BOCES

Kostyniak, Carol                                                                        BISSNET     

Manvell, Robert                                                                          Dutchess BOCES

Oesterle, Rodger                                                                        ONC BOCES

Putman, Steve                                                                            St.Lawrence-Lewis BOCES

Rossitto, Shelley                                                                         Monticello CSD

Rubeo, Paul                                                                                Ulster BOCES

Sharp, Holly                                                                               Monroe #1 BOCES  

Smith, Steve                                                                               Broome-Tioga BOCES

Staats, Chris                                                                               Oswego BOCES

Sylofski, Michael                                                                        Albany BOCES

Taylor, Andrew                                                                          Ulster BOCES

Verdon, Andrew                                                                        Dutchess BOCES