Videoconferencing In Educaton

In the world of budget cuts and streamlining expenses in the classroom, this article opens the window for new possibilities in expanding the horizons of our students.  I  like the way that this article illustrates how learning can become real for the students by communicating with actual students and locations around the world.  This moves the student past the paper and pencil traditional learning and provides a purpose that might otherwise get lost in the mass of words on a page.  The part that interests me most is the implication of the thousands of virtual field trips that my students can attend without having to worry about the expense of getting enough buses and chaperons.  This opens new doors for me and my students and provides additional opportunities to catch the attention of those students who might otherwise give up on learning.

Nancy

2nd day

Tuesday was fun!  I knew what to expect a bit more so I was really anticipating it.  Of course the bodily fluids guy was hard to top for humor but Shane made us laugh just as much!  One new thing I realized was that there are quite a number of free VCs like Shane’s that we could do in addition to paying for one or two a year.  Also, the idea of hooking up with another first grade classroom really interests me and that would be free as well (I think).

It was nice to sit back and enjoy so many presentations but I’ll have to say that I did miss the interactive stuff we did on Monday and I’m looking to Wednesday’s collaborative project!

I’m really enjoying working with my small group on our project to present on Friday.  They are capable, creative people and we are off and running with our idea.

I really enjoyed the presentation from our Vietnam Vet.  I am so glad to have this new perspective on what “WE” did over there – the bigger picture you might say.  I know that many, many vets from that war aren’t comfortable talking about their experiences so I really appreciated Don’s willingness to share.

Beth

Day 3

I loved MysteryQuest.  How much fun was that?!  I love kindergarten but this activity made me really want to go back to teaching the upper elementary grades.  Using the computer, teamwork, creatively presenting. You just don’t get that kind of work out of the little guys.  I  think I will use this idea in the classroom as  kindergartners are asked to be able to read  simple maps of  it and their homes.  It just won’t be the same.  I have to look forward to videoconferencing with Steve.

Our videoconferencing project should be a lot of fun in  October.  We completed the preplanning stage.  I look forward to sharing the project and preparing with the students for it.

I am very impressed with David from Global Nomads Group.  What an honorable project to have undertaken.  I would have like to have heard some of his stories of memorable interactions and what was his most satisfying moment facilitating. I hope to see this project grow and perhaps go to all parts of the world.

Kathy DeMott

Day 3 Reflections

Day 3 Reflections  Sarah Porath 

The article I read this morning was interesting.  I had read about Carol Buckley founding her elephant sanctuary in Tennessee earlier.  She does not allow field trips to her elephant habitat because she feels that it interferes with the normal life of the elephants.            

 Have you ever heard the saying “You have a memory like elephant?”   Well here is a story that explains that saying.    When the sanctuary gets its elephants from zoos and circuses they are provided with the elephant’s history, what region in Asia they came from, right down to the different herds they were captured from.  They were to get a new elephant from the same herd of an elephant that was already in the sanctuary.  Both elephants were captured at the same time when they were small.    Now in their old age they were to meet again.  Well did they remember each other?  You bet they did.  The elephants were like two old friends.   They were overjoyed to be reunited.              

Map Quest         

Creating the map quest was engaging.  I also enjoyed the hunt. I had never looked at such a detailed map of Australia.  However we were unable to locate the correct beach.  Australia would make a wonderful vacation spot. This type of activity sparked my interest in Australia well as in Egypt.

Global Nomads          

 David has created an award winning program.  I also believe “The highest level of education is tolerance.”  His program has a powerful agenda.  All educators should try to instill empathy in their students.  What better way than using G&G for an interactive way to involve students.  By understanding the world around us we are promoting tolerance and we are helping students to realize they have social responsibilities to themselves and to others.  This is for our future.  Great job David!             

 Google docs.         

 What a wonderful way to create a document.  It is not without its problems though.  Mastery takes patience with Google docs.  

Today we did our mystery quest and had a lot of fun preparing the classroom for the event.  Our friends in Missouri sent a cake and it was delicious.  Great fun was had by all and a lot of learning occurred.

Tracy Cropsey and Amanda

Tuesday Pictures

Reading articles and working on math problems!!!

   Trying to keep warm in the freezer!

Amanda

Michigan Report

You may be surprised to discover that it is currently as HOT in SW Michigan as it probably is in Missouri and Texas. We may top 100 degrees today and humidity is high. That’s the outdoor report. Indoors at BCISD, the temperature is MUCH lower and those of us who dressed in shorts and sandals are freezing! But alert!

The variety in this Michigan group is great. Probably as great as the variety among our larger interactive group. We are from many districts of various sizes, we teach at various levels, and some of us are tech directors or media specialists who work to support the classroom. This should make for some interesting collaborative projects. What a wonderful opportunity for us all. As the week goes on, friendships will no doubt form within this setting as well as among participants from the different states. 

Most of us seem to have some familiarity at least with videoconferencing. We have experienced the “experts” and some have interacted with other classes. I think we are all looking to expand our knowledge of possibilities for interaction as well as our technical understandng of equipment and the process.

Does technology interfere with social interaction?  This is a concern of some flks. Anyone who is participating in this experience would have to say that videoconferencing promotes social interaction in ways we could never have thought possible.

Pics from day1 :)

From Berrien County, MI.

Daily Reports Posted Here!

Welcome to the daily report blog for the 123 VC! Jazzing Up Your Curriculum Workshop!

What is our workshop like from another angle? You see it from Michigan, Missouri, New York or Texas… what does it look like from another site? Daily reporters will share their perspective.

Janine
Berrien County