The New York State Distance Learning Consortium
Meeting Minutes
For
October 7 & 8, 2004
Binghamton, NY
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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.
1.
Introduction, Agenda Review and Review of May 2004 Meeting Minutes
A. Agenda Review—We did a quick review of the agenda. We adjusted our agenda slightly. We were asked to refrain from networking our laptops while discussion was underway. The following item was added to our agenda for this meeting;
· John Kelch from Time Warner Cable and Carmella Carnevale, consultant to discuss DL needs
· Would like to move the break out sessions to this PM from tomorrow.
B. Introductions and welcome to new members was made. Review of May 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 DL tips/Experiences:
- Dutchess has replaced their network and DL classrooms this summer. They now have an IP classroom that is working very well. 11 sites in 9 districts in Dutchess County, running on their data network. AP courses and ASL are the most utilized courses at this time. Purchased an Accord bridge to accommodate future CoSer configurations for Distance Learning, elearning, video conferencing, etc.
- Conversation ensued about the viability of MPEG II or IP. Where is the future of Distance Learning? Various teaching methods, instructional needs and district commitments will drive the type of technology used to deliver instruction.
- Robert Manvell spoke of the NYCATE conference that will be hosted in Dutchess. As they
discussed with content providers how they would deliver to the conference, they found that
some had moved to IP from ISDN.
- Bill Walton explained how they are using video streaming in Ulster. Paul Rubio looks
forward to offering and testing this with other members of the state.
- A discussion about the dollars it costs for DL. These #’s can seem dawnting when you do
not consider the state aide or e-rate. E-rate is the hot topic. There is some confusion on what
the reimbursed monies from e-rate should or could be used for.
- Chris Staats suggested that a needs assessment be done at the district level to show them
what they need, or want in the way of Distance Learning to meet their instructional needs.
- New programs, Chris Staats is working with his local community college. They offer high
school students classes at a reduced tuition. Thanks to a large grant course work at night is offered to EMS workers and other community members. EOC, Emergency Office Center, training center for emergency personnel. They are working with the state offices asking for some of the Home Land Security Monies to be spent on connecting all the BOCES to provide these EMS courses.
- Bonnie N. and Sean Banks brought up the list they have put together of tips for DL teachers,
students and facilitators. What should and should not be in the DL room. It is suggested that
a tips page be added to our site. Steve Smith offered to post any tips that are compiled and
sent to him.
- Steve sent around a form to ensure that information for each BOCES is accurate on the DL
website.
- Bonnie went over the I-BUZ site for DL. Consider the future charges. Discussion followed
regarding what platform to use for our discussions. It was decided that we would continue
as is as long as there is no charge for the platforms we use. Mike form Orleans BOCES, will
look into open source discussion products to add to our DL site.
3. John Kelch of Time Warner Cable and Carmella Carnevale consultant presentation:
- Offered ways they could help assist us with DL. John is a representative of Time Warner
Cable (TWC), Carmella Carnevale was previously the Director of Customer Service OFT, (Office of Technology)
John Kelch made it clear that Time Warner Cable and Time Warner Telecom are not associated, this miss information has caused some problems in the past. Time Warner Cable is working on the state contract for fiber. Steve asked how is TWC working to provide an interconnected infrastructure that appears seamless to the end user? John explained there is no one vendor that can meet the needs of all the end users, however; he does collaborate with competitors to build these relationships. Question asked by John - Why do we go to bid for all our services instead of going to the state? Our answer - State prices often come back high, leaves districts out that they do not service and/or the boards look for bids to compare.
- E-rate: state entities need to look at 3 state contract providers for services. John explained that e-rate is very political with lobbying going on in the background all the time. PS60921 is the TWC contract number. John stated fiber-based services are not on state contract yet. Several issues to negotiate out with OGS (Office of General Services). OSC (Office of State Control) has the final say in all contracts.
- Carmella suggested we meet with Dave Walsh to consider a collaborative plan for statewide connectivity. Steve S. expressed the urgency of making this happen. Everyone agreed that we should continue to work on our current connectivity projects while pushing the state to support this effort. It was pointed out that the 793 Plans submitted by the RICS reflect the vision of Distance Learning. A few of the items we agreed were important to include in our conversation with the state are: Bandwidth, Transport, and Pricing. Much discussion followed regarding issues of pricing, the last mile, interstate department connections, etc. Discussed who should represent this group at a meeting with John and Carmella. It was mentioned that Shelley, Mike and Steve represent this group. Paul R. expressed concerns for equal representation of all types of DL and networks at this meeting.
Steve posted the NYSDL vision statement up for us to use as a springboard for the Objective of a meeting with the state to encourage statewide connectivity. Chris S. suggested we show we have a well-rounded use of technology and the need for interconnectivity. This discussion really needs to include the bandwidth issues of the future. Suggestions followed up of how we can clearly express out statewide objective such as looking for partnerships outside of the state. Bonnie made a good point that the state is looking for ways to meet their federal mandates. She suggests we add to our focus points such things as NCLB, Graduation rates, etc.
4. Technical/Instructional Breakout Sessions:
Instructional: Paul Rubeo facilitator:
a. Sharing Projects
b. Collaboration across state: Eire Canal Social Studies 4th grade, Hudson River
c. Grant collaborations with Teacher Centers
d. Nylearns.org (needs to be updated)
e. CoSer guidelines: online, course requirements
f. Conferences
g. Ide Solutions
h. NYSCATE
I. Paul /Andrew developed a 15 hour introduction course to DL.
j. Homebound
Students:
- Chris Staats has put this in his co-ser to help support the technology needed to ensure a
student gets his/her classes whatever the location.
- APEX learning and Keystone are two currently being used
- Ken Ford indicated that a response might be coming soon from SED on whether online
courses have to reside on a BOCES server.
Technical Report:
a. Echo cancellation issues; creates audio issues
b. Chip was selling ASA 100’s for $500
- Testing in western NY considering where they will migrate to meet their DL needs. The
need to standardize on equipment continues to be a dream of all the technicians!
Cost of the various systems run from $20,000- $30,000 dollars
- Statewide bid for ISP, 6- 8 vendors responded last year. Each RIC was able to award to
the vendor that best met their needs. Steve indicated this was a great savings for Broome.
e. Parker Vision cameras; Q. Some are in need of repair in western NY, who do we use to
repair them. Some are sending them straight to Parker Vision for repairs.
- Discussion on setting up a central location database for issues and fixes for the techs to
communicate better. Steve suggested having a link on our DL site to this database. Mike
Bayba volunteered to have it operational by January.
- Scheduling issues/software: Discussion regarding why/do we need more than one
scheduler for DL.
- Albany, Oneida-Madison, Oswego, Broome and Cayuga BOCES regions are
connecting using a Verizon service called NAVS
- They are access the
same scheduler or connections.
- Albany and Broome used the connection this current year for classes. Service is
expensive. Need for Verizon to develop a different tariff to make it affordable.
5.
Ibuz: Bonnie Nizamis
§ Bonnie helped us register to use Ibuz
§ Bonnie took pictures for Ibuz profiles
§ We are to play with Ibuz until the winter meeting
§ At the winter meeting we will discuss whether to move away from our new listserv to
Ibuz or not
§ Contact Bonnie for any help.
6. How Are We Marketing Distance Learning In Our
Regions?
§ Our BOCES websites
· Our NYSDLC website
· Our NYSDLC flyer and bookmarks
· Regional flyers – bring them to our meetings to share
§ Creating short videos, news casts, presentations to school Boards, parent open house nights are a few mentioned
§ Bob suggested that maybe we start hanging the banner at our local tech fairs.
§ Mike Sylofski will maintain a database of courses offered.
7. Planning for Online Learning
§ Ulster and Broome have online courses going
§ AccelerateU is only running staff development courses at this time. No requests for student courses.
§ To be aidable the teacher has to be NYS certified
§ We should invite Project Accelerate and AccelerateU to talk to us at future meetings. Sean Banks will try to set this up for our January meeting and let Steve Smith know for the agenda.
§ Learning Times is available at http://www.learningtimes.org
§ We need to discuss further at our next meeting how cost structures are set up for online learning courses.
8. NYSDLC Website Committee Report:
§ Mike Bayba offered a Quick Time video with an interview of how effective dl is. It will be put on our website.
§ Steve Smith reminded us 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.
§ On BOCES links some changes were given to Steve to update
§ Members are Paul Rubeo, Cris Staats, Tony Abbatiello, Steve Smith, Mike Anderson
9. NYSDLC White Page Committee Report:
§
Where we are going with Dl should be reflected in this
document.
§
All are asked
to submit thoughts to the subcommittee ASAP.
§
Members are
Bob Fraley, Liz. Huggler, Paul Rubeo, and Steve Putman.
10. NYSSBA- 2004 is in Buffalo in October / 21-24 -
§ Chris Staats will be submitting a presentation on DL information
11. NYSCATE
- 2004 in Rochester in November / 21-23
· Sean Banks and Paul Rubeo are presenting.
12. Videoconferencing
·
Mike Anderson will compile a by BOCES inventorywhat is
available. To be presented at the next meeting.
13. Our Next Meeting -
January 20&21, 2005 at the Binghamton Regency in Binghamton
Then May 5&6, 2005
Steve Smith noted he
purchased a wireless bridge for us to use at our meetings.
14.
According to the sign in sheet, the following individuals attended
this meeting.
NAME SCHOOL/AGENCY
Abbatiello, Tony Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
Adams, Chris Mohawk RIC
Anderson, Mike Orleans-Niagara BOCES
Banks, Sean Orange-Ulster BOCES
Bartholomew, Michelle Broome-Tioga BOCES
Bayba, Mike Erie 2 BOCES
Biazzo, Kris Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Doyle, Michael Catteragus-Allegany BOCES
Elliot, Jeff Questar III
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
Manvell, Robert Dutchess BOCES
Nizamis, Bonnie
Putman, Steve St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES
Rossitto, Shelley Montecello CSD
Rubeo, Paul Ulster BOCES
Sauberan, Jeanne Erie I BOCES
Sharp, Holly Monroe #1 BOCES
Smith, Steve Broome-Tioga BOCES
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