Summarizing your thoughts...

Hello Team Bloggers,

I agree with you all about the technology being new and needing more information about it, and concerns with time to implement such a tool and lastly, being excited about the learned information.

I too never heard about this technology being used as a learning tool, but I know that using it correctly and effectively can be a life long lesson for many.
I am a new librarian and it will probabaly take a minute to be an effective librarian as I was a classroom teacher. But, I am sure with all of the things we are learning in the class, I am sure that I have to be up to date with exciting, motivating, interactive and stimulating learning tools. Our students need it, and we owe them the best possible learning environment they can get.

Secondly, about the topic cyberbullying and the law H.R. 5319 Act, I agree that schools must take a more pro active role in educating and protecting students online.
I also feel like schools are mandated to have fire drills, I think we should be mandated to educate parents and students and then hold parents liable for their child.
It takes a village to raise a child, then it will take a village to protect them.
Schools can't be the sole protector, parents need to guard over their children.
The Act has issued a public warning and its guidelines that fit the warning, there is nothing I am against in its statement.

Second Chances!

I am completely hooked on the idea of using video conferencing now. After reading this article you will too! Promise!

Vanderbilt University getting involved and making video conferencing easier for educators; what all educators want-less stress.
Ok, this was what caught me! Guess what was the University best conferencing experience? The University conferenced a Holocaust Survior and a six grade class. The conference was a one hour dialogue for the survior but a life changing experience for the six graders. Can you imagine how many lifes were changed that day! Can you imagine how many racial prejudices died that day! Awesome lesson.

The University is able to conference with more than one site, increasing their benefits of the project and experiences for participants.

Ms. Jan Zanetis is one of the pioneers in the program. She also wrote a excellent book that assist educators with video conferencing and provide easy lessons plans to implement with classes.
The book also provides real life stories of teachers-students conferencing experiences.

Ok, Ok, the book is called Video Conferencing for k-12 clasroom: A program development guide by Cole, Ray, and Zanetis. I checked, Amazon.com it's selling for $34.95 new and used $24.95.

I know what you are thinking! And the answer is I wish, I am not getting any money for the promotion of this book. I am just hooked and have a lot of ideas where this technology can be used.
I am on a panel for Conflict Resolution. We have taken so many students to the jails, but some parenst won't allow it, and the students miss out. That one experience might change that students path. But, if I had the conferencing in place, no one misses out. The seed is planted in everyone.

Read this great article called, Video Conferencing deserves a second look!

www.educationworld.com/a_issues/chat/chat127-2.shtml

Having to go beyond the school gate!

Thanks to PictureTel the world most famous video conferencing company in the world and Multisense Company patients are gaining huge benefits from video conferencing.

Thanks to two companies major contributions in providing the best in video conference equipment,monitors,and supplies; The Diana Princess of Wales Children's Hospital and The James Brindley School are changing the lives of many children.

At the Children's Hospital varies technology equipment are being used such as, video cameras, video diaries, scanning, video conferencing and internal email to educate the children. Because many of these children are severely ill, their schooling is flexible,therefore, conferencing is available 24 hours for them.
The Childen's Hospital does not only use video conferencing for educational lessons but also to connect children real time interaction to friends and family near and far.

Since the program the staff at both facilities have seen physical and emotional
changes in the participants; which is a huge benefit when one is ill and recovering.
This article shows how technology and communication is not only an educational asset but a socialize tool and people are benefiting because people need people. Its the human side of us all to want to communicate with others especially during hard times. If you want to learn more on video conferencing changing livies read Beyond the School Gate. It is a positive testimony for the importance of technology.

www.mape.orguk/curriculum/pdf/Hospital.pdf

Interested in Video Conference Are You?

After reading several articles on video conferencing and you want to pich it to the administrations, here is alittle more information to assist you with the sale.

There are three types of Video Conferences systems to choose from. I read an interesting article that expains the differences between conferences systems.

According to the article "Three types of Video Conferencing Systems and what are their differences", desktop, steptop, and integrated are presently the three types of conferencing system one can install.

Desktop is the less expensive, and is used more for personal use. This system is hooked to a personal PC computer. It is not intended for a large group but for one or two people to view and participate in. The cost for this system range from $300-$1500.

Steptop- is designed to sit on a monitor, and used in small rooms and convenient for small gatherings. Steptop system is usually stored on a cart and can be wheeled from place to place. Steptop has excellent video quality. The cost for this system range from $4000- $20,000. This system can be used in a classroom.

Integrated- The integraed system is the largest system of them all and is used in very large conference room, and designed for large groups. This system is designed to be stationed in one setting, and need wires and processors connections installed in that setting only. This system has been seen in lecture halls The cost for this system range from $15,000-100,000.

We recently received a grant that awarded the school funding to install video conferencing equipement. The school purchased steptop conferencing system for each floor in the building. If the principal wanted the entire school to participate in a conference each class on each floor have a place to meet and participate in the conference. Although we have had the system in place for a year, we have not yet experienced a video conference.

hppt//picturephone.com/products/learn_types_of_sytems.htm


when you scroll to this website, on the main page you will find on the left hand corner a list of topics.Press Types of Video Conferencing systems and what are the differences.
Good Luck with introducing this benefical tool to your administration team.

Social Bookmarking

I find social bookmarking very appealing,due to the fact that tagging accumulates information,is quickly accessible when needed and organizes information.

Tagging would be very useful for students to use in their core classes if used correctly. Because tagging is not catorgorizing but is adding hooks to provide meaning, many students would benefit from this type of organizing, its like webbing. Students are adding hooks to provide meaning using their own understanding which causes them to take ownership for the information they have created. Studies show individuals that take ownership for their learning,is more dedicated and motivated to learn, they have a higher stake in their learning. And students retain the information learned.

I found an interesting article on social bookmarking in schools. This article, "Social bookmarking offers a new way to store and share websites" talks about the benefits both teachers and students have received from using social bookmarking.
For more information read this article.
www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6403269.html

Bloggers Intro

I am a first time blogger for a graduate course and find blogging interesting.
I've read a few blogs before starting this one and found that there are a lot of people out there that blog regularly and have been for years. For example, I found over 250 blogs by an individual who was blogging about fun and inexpensive vocation spots for families. Something I defintely was interested in!
Blogging is definitely a social network and a place to obtain a wealth of information.
Happy Blogging.

Making Waves...

Video conferencing

Hi Team,

I came upon another interesting article I think everyone will enjoy. Take a look at this article: A Look at the Future.
www.teachers.ash.org.au/npressnell/ict/yhgfl.htm

Lena.

PS: I am sorry you don't see this as a link. I have tried several times, and it works when it is in preview but then disappears when I am going to post. I will play with it some more and try again. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Benefits of Video Conferencing

This semester I participated with a few of my students in a video conference, and it was great.
It was a thirty minute conference at a Math Fair to Liberty Science Center in New Jersery. Most of the students never visited the site, so they were very excited. The students were able to do hands on activities as well as ask the instructors specific questions. The students were very engrossed and motivated. Not once did I have to say pay attention or stop that talking, so you know the instructors had them hooked.

What is video conferencing? It is conducting a conference between two or more people at difference sites using a computer network to provide the picture of the participants and the sound.
Video Conferencing has opened the world up to students right from their classroom seats.
If one is interested in setting up a conference the only materials needed would be a camera, and not an expensive one, and a IP connection. Wow that is it!

Teachers, students of all ages and parents will benefit in many ways utilizing this tool in the classroom.
For example: tutorials can take place.
short/long distance learning projects.
opportunities to provide services to homebound students due to illness or suspension.
connection to parents for conferences, special projects or homework help.
to shadow a professional for the day.
to bring students to other parts of the world and to bring the world to them.

Video Conferencing is an excellent tool to use it helps all participants whether k-6, 6-8 or 9-12 students with presentation skills, oral skills and listening skills. Its definitely a motivational goal for learning.

For further information check out: Desktop Video Conferencing: Novelty or Legitimate Teaching Tool?
www.education-world.com/a_curr/curr120.shtml