Videoconferencing and Education

Technology Integration - One Classroom at a Time!

During the 2005-2006 School Year, I participated in the Pinal County ITv Consortium, No Child Left Behind Title IID Technology (Ed Tech Grant) Training Program, a grant directed by Jill Dingman. The Grant assisted several Pinal County School Districts (through CAVIT and District funding) to finance the installation of state of the art Distance Learning Labs. The Grant also supported training of several staff at each site to help implement and develop ITv, at each participating district, and begin a training pyramid for future years. http://www.pinalitv.org/

At the end of that 30 hour training session, two of us were left standing and still enthused about the opportunities this medium could bring ot our district ; Jack Wallbrecht CTE Director (Career and Technical Education) and me!

During the first half of the 05-06 School Year, Jack and I worked with Jill Dingman, and our consortium partners to develop plans to implement during the second half of the school year. During January and February 2006, we offered 10 hours of training on videoconferencing equipment, lesson planning, and identifying partner resources. We recruited several MUSD teachers (2nd grade through High School) who participated in this training, and by May 2006 each had conducted events with either a partner class elsewhere in the country or with a professional Content Provider.

In November 2005, we also registered to participate in Read Across America, the first to take place via videoconference. We conducted 10 events in 7 states and Canada!

In May we were invited to attend The Museum of Tolerance's 'Bridging the Gap' videoconference, where 7th and 8th grade classes listened to and spoke with a Holocaust survivor. Thanks to Nicole Steele, Florence School District, and Skyline Ranch School for inviting us. Maricopa will be participating in this event in the coming school year, through funding provided by the No Child Left Behind Title IID Technology (Ed Tech Grant).

During the 06-07 School Year, we expect to develop a greater number of classroom to classroom video connections, staff development and content provider events.

If anyone is interested in connecting with Maricopa classes (K-12 Public School) to conduct a collaborative project or joint lesson, contact me: achayefsky@musd20.org

Integrating Technology - One Classroom at a Time!