Friday, October 07, 2005

Keystone Reflections

Now that the Keystone Conference had been completed and I have had a chance to catch up on some needed sleep I have been reflecting on the event. Attending a conference as specific as the Keystone Conference (the only national conference dedicated to K-12 videoconferencing) provides you with many rewarding experiences and opportunities. If you have a chance please visit the Keystone Conference Website (www.keystoneconference.org). Materials provided by the presenters are still available for download.

Top 10 Keystone Memories:

  1. The opportunity to spend time with many of the coordinators and teachers that I have worked with over video. There is something about having a chance to shake the hand of someone you have seen many times online.
  2. An opportunity to share best practices and bounce potential ideas off of each other. “Birds of a Feather” was one of my favorite activities of the conference. I would love to see remote audiences participate in this activity next year through IVC or chat.
  3. Networking: What better way to develop potential partners than sharing ideas with other coordinators and teachers involved in videoconferencing.
  4. Learning about new technologies. The vender’s area and the vender panel discussions provided viewers onsite and remote the opportunity to see the latest technologies related to videoconferencing. This year Radvision’s click to meet blew me away!
  5. Time away from the district and the office allowing me to talk about projects and activities with my peers. Even the drive there and back gave me and my boss the chance to talk through up and coming events.
  6. A great time in a great city. Other than the cold shower the first morning in Indianapolis the city was a great host to a great conference! Which I had a chance to buy some souvenirs.
  7. A chance to share some of the activities and programs that my consortium is proud of. Thanks to all that attended, or viewed our presentation.
  8. Discovering new applications and sharing tools. Although I could not attend the Dude where’s my Desktop Conferencing System” session of “Birds of a Feather” I was able to talk to several participants and was able to get many of the links and facts. Looking forward to trying the programs. Joan and Scott did a great job!
  9. Making the world a smaller place through collaborations. The conference provides teachers the opportunity to break the barriers of space and distance through IVC.
  10. Forward thinking. Dr. David Thornburg never gets old. Another great Keynote Address.

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

IVDL Opportunities

The following programs are the opportunities shared by the Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium listserv.

1) WVIZ/NOTA PROGRAMMING
2) TWICE FREE PROGRAMMING LIST3) STORYTIME PROGRAMMING (K-2)
4) VIDEO PRODUCTION COMMERCIAL CONTEST
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1) WVIZ/NOTA PROGRAMMINGAmerica's Rain Forests DL.docHeavy Construction InviteSports ManagementCleveland Indians InviteLaw Enforcement

Programming from WVIZ is limited to schools connected to Ohio's ATM video network. Details on these programs can be forwarded upon request. Contact Paul Hieronymus (Avon Schools and LCDLC) - HieronymusP@avon.k12.oh.us, Dave Miller (Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium LCDLC) - Dave.Miller@LEECA.org or John Ramicone (WVIZ PBS 25-NOTA) JRamicone@wviz.org
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2) TWICE FREE PROGRAMMING LISTGreetings VC Colleagues,Two Page Selected ListMany of you have used the "Two Page Selected List" of videoconferences that I do regularly every year. This year's version is done!http://www.bcisdvc.org/TwoPageSelectedList05.pdfJust as last year, it has most of the free and recommended programs available.Feel free to print it in your workshops.Janine LimInstructional Technology ConsultantBerrien County ISD711 St. Joseph Ave.Berrien Springs, MI 49103jlim@remc11.k12.mi.usPh: (269) 471-7725x101Fax: (269) 471-1221Web: http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/dlBlog: http://bcisdvcs.blogspot.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) STORYTIME PROGRAMMING (K-2)The Avon Local Schools distance learning program is looking for Kindergarten through second grade classes to participate in their story time program on Friday, October 21st. Novices to videoconferencing preferred. Please contact Paul Hieronymus to discuss times and topic at HieronymusP@avon.k12.oh.us or 440 829-8273.
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4) VIDEO PRODUCTION COMMERCIAL CONTESTThe Columbiana County Educational Service Center has organized a video production commercial contest for schools who have videoconferencing equipment. Students will create a 30 -50 second commercial using Henkel Duct Tape products. The winner of our regional contest will compete in a final contest against other schools from around the state. The finalist winner will receive a Cannon GL2 Camera from our sponsor Henkel. Participation is free!See attached details for more info. Final revision will be sent out to interested schools. Don’t miss this opportunity!Dave Miller