Keystone Conference 2005
Session Summaries

Printable Flyers:

"Distance Edutainment": Exciting (and Really Gross) Interactive Video Content for the General Public

The newest interactive video application is a "distance edutainment" partnership that brings the content of the blockbuster exhibit, "Grossology" to a general public audience. Supported by a National Science Foundation Grant and other corporate sponsors, this project utilizes a custom-designed studio, advanced digital media, and high definition video CODECS to educate and entertain participants.

Presenter(s):

Timothy Barshinger, IDSolutions (IN, UNITED STATES)

"Making a New Zealand Connection" - Teaching and Learning by VC.

The New Zealand National Video Conference Network now connects hundreds of schools, teachers and students (primary, secondary, special needs and tertiary) across New Zealand. It provides access, support, professional development and a strong sense of connection to many staff, principals and communities.

Presenter(s):

Chris (CAM) Allott McPhee, New Zealand Ministry of Education (Wellington, NEW ZEALAND)

Eddie Reisch, Ministry of Education (Wellington, NEW ZEALAND)

Beyond the Appliance, Blending Distance Learning for Effective Collaborations

The presentation will provide examples of web based collaborations including professional development projects for K-12 school districts, a model for a collaborative working group pursuing an RFP, and collaborations for fine arts programs. Collaborative methods and tools from Microsoft, Polycom, Macromedia and Marratech will be highlighted.

Presenter(s):

Brian Dzwonek, 29-90 Distance Learning Consortium (SD, UNITED STATES)

Blazing the Information Highway: IVC Outreach to North Carolina

NCSSM's Distance Learning Department has been the state leader of IVC programming to K-12 sudents and educators statewide since 1994. Overcoming challenges in scheduling and in maintaining open channels of communication, NCSSM has successfully met curricular and professional development needs throughout all corners of rural North Carolina.

Presenter(s):

Darlene Haught, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NC, UNITED STATES)

Karl Coleman, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

Carole Stern, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

Exploring the Possibilities of Videoconferencing in Distance Teaching

The presentation will draw on knowledge and data gained from a current research project exploring the potential for adding the richness of interactive videoconferencing to the distance educator's tool-kit.

Presenter(s):

Dr. Robyn Smyth, University of New England (NSW, AUSTRALIA)

Carina Bossu, TLC UNE (NSW, AUSTRALIA)

Dr. Peter Shanahan, TLC UNE (NSW, AUSTRALIA)

Ian Truswell, TLC UNE

Issues in Integrating Videoconferencing in the Classroom

Integrating videoconferencing into the classroom involves overcoming several challenges. Based on data from the nationally attended class Planning Interactive Curriculum Connections, and experiences with national projects such as MysteryQuest and Read Across America, this session shares common issues and solutions related to scheduling, technical support, budgeting, programming, and teacher motivation.

Presenter(s):

Janine Lim, Berrien County ISD (MI, UNITED STATES)

Light the Fire: Getting your Staff Started with Videoconferencing

Do you need to get your staff on board with videoconferencing and don't know where to start? This interactive session will give practical ideas to light the fire. Various models and strategies will be shared that have helped schools and districts turn the videoconferencing spark into a fire.

Presenter(s):

Kim Hendrick, Center for Interactive Learning & Collaboration (CILC) (IN, UNITED STATES)

Tumbleweeds, Rattlesnakes, and Beautiful Vistas: Implementing IVC in Rural K-20.

Implementing Interactive Video Conferencing in rural western states presents unique challenges and wonderful opportunities. The remote geography often results in inadequate bandwidth, and technical issues not found in urban centers. However, using IVC for the supervision of student teachers in rural schools provides the incentive to overcome the challenges.

Presenter(s):

Vicky Dahn, MERIT PT3 Grant (UT, UNITED STATES)

Bruce Barker, Southern Utah University

Wayne Carroll, Lewis Clark State College

James Erekson, Western State College

Joe Lounge, Fort Lewis College

A Visit with Mrs. Santa: Introducing IVC to the VERY YOUNG

Come and meet "Mrs. Santa" and learn how a connection to the "North Pole" and a "Visit with Mrs. Santa" is successfully introducing pre school, kindergarten and first grade students to IVC.

Presenter(s):

Roxann Nys, CESA 7 Interactive Learning Services (WI, UNITED STATES)

Bring the World into your Classroom

Bringing the World into your Classroom will encourage teachers to identify the internation dimension in teaching and learning. To look at how videoconferencing interaction can ensure that there is greater understanding and knowledge of the world aaround them.

Presenter(s):

Michael Griffith, Global-Leap/Videoconferencing in the Classroom (Middlesex, UNITED KINGDOM)

Closing the Gap in Distance Learning

In Texas, schools are using Polycom's video communications systems to deliver cutting-edge programs to make learning more exciting -- and to provide new opportunities to sites that once had limitations.

Presenter(s):

Russ Colbert, Polycom Inc. (MA, UNITED STATES)

Global Connections: Learning With, not About, People from Other Countries

Learn why & how to connect your students directly to students or experts from other countries with firsthand, interactive video experiences. Learn about tips, pitfalls, & models of successful intercultural sessions and how to make international video connections. Learn about five projects which involve international videoconferencing for the K-20 audience.

Presenter(s):

Deborah Hutton, Indiana University (IN, UNITED STATES)

Mike Griffith, Global-Leap: Videoconferencing in the Classroom

It's a Small Small World

This presentation demonstrates a collaborative project between two rural schools and an international business. Learn how this project incorporated videoconferencing, Filamentality web researching, and other technology applications to create an exciting learning opportunity that included a videoconference with a CIO of a large corporation and the two schools.

Presenter(s):

Barbara Mason, Paris R-II High School (MO, UNITED STATES)

Debbie Hackman, Paris High School Paris (MO, UNITED STATES)

Lora Smith, SBC

It's All Interactive: A Chorus of Experienced Voices

Join the content providers of University Circle Interactive Cleveland as they discuss the subject of lesson interactivity. Maintaining a high level of interaction is what makes a good connection, better! A distinguished panel from University Circle discusses how they prepare and approach designing their K-12 lessons for maximum engagement.

Presenter(s):

Sandy Kreisman, University Circle Interactive Cleveland (OH, UNITED STATES)

Tom Bills, HealthSpace Cleveland

Mark George, Cleveland Institute of Music

Dale Hilton, The Cleveland Museum of Art

Jan Ziegler, Western Resrve Historical Society

Jump Start! Utilizing Collaborative Projects in Video Conferencing

Jump start your video conference program with easy-to-integrate collaborative projects. Many existing on-line projects such as the Global Grocery List or Journey North can be used as the focus for developing collaborative video projects among classrooms and schools. Don't reinvent the wheel!

Presenter(s):

Vicki Allen, SBC (Tx, UNITED STATES)

Marci Powell, SBC

Powerful Video Conferencing-Opening New Doors to Learning.

What makes great video conferencing? · Learn about the six powerful tools for increasing the impact of video conferencing in schools. · Practical examples and advice. · Motivating and sustained learning. · Embedding practice. · Opening new doors to learning.

Presenter(s):

Geoff Turrell, ATHENA EiCAZ (Birmingham, UNITED KINGDOM)

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Selecting Quality Videoconferences

This workshop will introduce participants to videoconference program standards that will facilitate selection of interactive programs with high impact on student learning. It will also discuss elements that lead to a "bad" videoconference, and those that can make it a downright ugly experience. Connections to content providers will be included.

Presenter(s):

Stan Silverman, New York Institute of Technology (NY, UNITED STATES)

Karen Mack, New York Institute of Technology

The Orange County Animation Project: Mentoring From The Real World

This session will highlight the work of the Orange County Animation Project. The project is a collaboration between Orange County school districts, local colleges, animators in Hollywood and ACME Animation that uses interactive videoconferencing to provide sustained mentoring and feedback to animation students from top animation professionals from studios like Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks.

Presenter(s):

Michael Guerena, Orange County Department of Education (CA, UNITED STATES)

Don Isbell, Century High School

Dave Master, ACME Animation

The Videoconferencing Classroom: Infusing the Arts into Curriculum with Hands-on Instruction

Participants will learn how to bring curriculum to life with proven techniques in the Center for Puppetry Arts' virtual classroom. The Center will demonstrate how to tie the arts into life science in this particular program on butterflies using hands-on puppet- building, kinesthetic movement, video clips, and interactive learning activities.

Presenter(s):

Patty Dees, Center for Puppetry Arts (GA, UNITED STATES)

Active Learning Strategies: Videoconferencing the Right Way

How can teachers move a videoconference from an event to an authentic experience? By wrapping a variety of instructional strategies around a videoconferencing session, teachers can ensure student achievement aligned to standards. This interactive session provides educators with a variety of active learning strategies designed to engage and motivate students.

Presenter(s):

Doug Meyer, Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (IN, UNITED STATES)

Bringing Teachers on Board with Professional Development

Interested in increasing your teachers’ interest and use of videoconferencing? Join us as we share a proven and successful model for professional development. The Loraine Co, OH DL Consortium has over 150 teachers actively engaged in collaborative team teaching, content provider programming, and specialized programming. They have conducted approximately one thousand videoconferences during 2004/2005

Presenter(s):

Dave Miller, Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium (OH, UNITED STATES)

Paul Hieronymus, The Lorain County Distance Learning Consortium

Distance Learning: Accessing an Astrophysical Observatory, an Archaeology Dig, and Rainforest

Learn about cultural ecology from a Rainforest, scientific inquiry from an Archaeology Dig, and the solar system from an Astrophysical Observatory during this interactive videoconference. Using unique distance learning facilities, teachers enrich the learning experiences of their students through videoconferencing using Kansas' most unique distance learning facilities.

Presenter(s):

Carol Woolbright, Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (KS, UNITED STATES)

Effects of Video Conferencing on Teacher Education Students' Knowledge & Skill Acquisition

This presentation will describe the designs, findings, and implications of two experimental studies of interactive video conferencing (IVC) to facilitate special education knowledge and skill acquisition on the part of undergraduate teacher education students. We will describe and demonstrate IVC techniques used in bringing kids and experts at remote sites to our university classroom.

Presenter(s):

Earle Knowlton, Dept. of Special Education, University of Kansas (KS, UNITED STATES)

Suzanne Knowlton, Lawrence (KS) Public Schools

Amber Rowland, Advanced Learning Technologies in Education Consortium, University of Kansas

It Takes a Team: Regional Service Center, Districts and Students Collaborate

Three school districts, members of a regional I2 consortium, will present short videos about student interaction from their IVC experiences. In the tape, students will reflect on IVC learning experiences from 04-05. Educators will also reflect on the value and learning from this first year experience. Montgomery County Intermediate Unit staff will highlight the coordination and collaborative efforts they provide.

Presenter(s):

Maria Johns, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (PA, UNITED STATES)

Mary Beth Hegeman, Lower Merion School District

Jim Shields, Hatboro-Horsham School District

Ted Williams, Methacton School District

SeaTrek: Using Media to Enhance Engagement and Interactivity in IVC

SeaTrek develops, pilot tests, and delivers highly engaging and interactive videoconference programs to students in the classroom. We have tried many presentation approaches in a long learning process, and currently have an effective interactive model. We would like to share what we have learned and receive feedback from conference participants.

Presenter(s):

Elizabeth Metz, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (FL, UNITED STATES)

Kasey Gaylord, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Jason Robertshaw, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium

Training Teachers New to Videoconferencing: A Model of Success

Learn steps one distance-learning specialist uses to train teachers new to videoconferencing from start to finish. Teachers learn to search for curriculum related conferences, communicate with providers, prepare students for connections, use equipment, perform test calls, engage during the connection and complete the process through follow up activities and evaluation.

Presenter(s):

Anne Thorp, Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (MI, UNITED STATES)

Deb Herrick, Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center (MI, UNITED STATES)