The New York State Distance Learning Consortium
www.nysdlc.org

Meeting Notes for

October 10-11, 2007

Binghamton, NY

 

The following is a summary of our most recent meeting.  Please let Steve Smith, Broome-Tioga BOCES, know as soon as possible if anything has been omitted or reported in error.

Introductions:
New member:   Dina Maggiacomo Nassau BOCES

Meeting Format:
Steve asked if the current format for our meetings was still appropriate. It was agreed to leave the format the same and modify on an as need basis, with the addition of a best practices session. Perhaps a 15 to 20 minute presentation by a different BOCES each meeting.

We discussed the need to change the registration process for meeting as a result of Steve’s inability to carry over funds. Instead of an $85 charge for each meeting an annual membership will be established for each person who plans to belong to the consortium. (A membership can be interchangeable with in a BOCES) Steve will create a membership flyer for our input. The regular agenda and registration will still be sent 3X a year, with the addition of a member/nonmember checkbox.

Setting up Regional/Statewide database of videoconferencing resources
We agree that collaborating with our SLS to load media files to their database is the way to go.
Tami F. offered to meet with her SLS to develop a template to be shared on the listserv.

Survey from Tech Committee
Tami announced that the Tech Committee will be sending a survey to all of us.
They decided to meet 2X a year. Summer and January.

Empire Collaborative Project:
Michelle gave an overview for our group. See attached schedule.
Steve suggested we record and stream if we have a snow day. Eliz will set up the recording of the program. Holly suggested we put together a brochure to publicize the event. Tami will put this together with all the participating BOCES logos.

IPods, Web Streaming
Michelle had upgraded her rooms this summer, with new audio input video’s can be shown to the classes.
Books on shuffles, content on Pods. (Seems the media libraries are taking this initiative)

Plans for NYSCATE
Saturday workshop was approved. Video Conferencing Soup to Nuts
Think the audience will be teachers they will do a presentation in AM hands on in PM.
NYSCATE will send a check to the NYSDL group for presenting. These monies will be used for future projects.
Booth: We discussed what our booth will be. Connections, DVD’s, Desktop VC, Media Place, classroom. Who will man the booth?

MYVRM: http://www.myvrm.com/
Video conferencing end-user scheduling for bridge. Sarah says it is a little glitchy. End user can not see IP addresses, email to wordy, has a robust reporting on backend but does not have a data base that is as robust. Cost is $10,000. Expedite product.

We discussed developed policies and or procedures for the topics below. We are each asked to share what we have on the listserv. Per haps we can add these to our web site in the future.
Host teacher responsibly. Aides vs. Teachers
Classroom policies and Student Etiquette
How do remote/host sites handle lockdowns?


Margaret Corbit, (Queen bee in virtual worlds) Cornell Theory Center. Presenter:
Sharing Data of 3D virtual worlds. http://scicentr.org/
Active Worlds vs. Second Life
www.virtualworldsreview.com A review of all the virtual worlds currently running.
www.vwtimeline.org
World in on your PC other come to your computer.
http://www.opencroquet.org/index.php/Main_Page now owned by Intel.
Quack is the current software that came from this vw. Squeak is programming for children.
http://update.multiverse.net/wiki/index.php/Multiverse_Developer_Wiki
This is a financially driven server that connects various clients together. You can develop individual games that will be tracked through the Universe Server. Open source community. Limited use currently.

CUni: Active Worlds. Secure, password protected. Digital Legos to build your project.

SciFair: Science Communications Fair
Rivercity GBL (Game Based Learning) Game like environment for the middle school curriculum

CYFair: Supports Keyboarding, internet research, graphics and programming.

CyberCiv: Curriculum Magnet Mix of Civilization Studies for 6th Grade.
Public Universe: you go in as a tourist. Limited use available. You need to pay or you can not develop or build in here.
Active World Educational Universe: Eduverse need to write to them to get a world in there. 20 licenses p/y for one world, one year, is $695. Less lag time limited updates, safe enviroment for better availability for students and teachers.
Birds of a feather sharing:

Hardware:
Updates from folks around the table of what is going on in their camps. Network upgrades, equipment changes, personnel changes and various challenges face us all.
Upgraded touch panels at BT BOCES districts, Univision did work they are very happy with the work.
Curriculum:

Discussion regarding Mandarin Chinese:
University of Ohio reportedly has the largest # of Chinese language programs.
Toni asked about costs for classes for next year.
Michelle needs a criminal justice teacher. New Visions classes are offered in some BOCES, but are not done on DL. Possibly check with our C&T programs.

Next Meeting:

VI. Noted below are those in attendance for this meeting according to the sign in sheet.

Name                                      BOCES

Abbatiello, Tony                 Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
Anderson, Mike                  Orleans/Niagara BOCES
Bartholomew, Michelle        Broome-Tioga BOCES
Bayba, Mike                       Erie 2 BOCES
Biazzo, Kris                         Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
Brooks, Karen                    Ulster BOCES
Carver, Rene                       Greater Southern Tier BOCES
Fancher, Tami                      O-NC BOCES
Farren, Donna                      Monroe 2 BOCES
Fenton, Steve                       St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES
Fraley, Bob                          Orange-Ulster BOCES
Huggler, Eliz                         Sullivan County BOCES
Iannocone, Patricia               Nassau BOCES
Kaiser, Sharon                     Genesee Valley BOCES
Martabano, Sarah                Lower Hudson RIC
Maggiacomo, Dina               Nassau BOCES
Ouderkirk, Laurie                Oswego County BOCES
Sharp, Holly                         Monroe 1 BOCES
Smith, Steve                         South Central RIC
Sylofski, Mike                     Albany BOCES - NERIC
Tejedor, Andrea                  Orange-Ulster BOCES
Walton, Bill                         Ulster BOCES