Making Connections Through Technology

I. Outreach Through the Web

Life on the Edge: Interactive Q&A with educators at sea and scientists,
Oct. 16 – Nov. 4, 2005
http://www.naturalsciences.org/education/deepsea/index.html

A Good person to Know: Liz Baird, Director of School Programs liz.baird@ncmail.net (919) 733-7450 ext. 601
“Stay in the Loop ” by joining the NC Museum of Natural Sciences mailing list. Sign up at this link:
http://naturalsciences.org/education/edguidemailinglist.html

Aquarius: the only underwater saturation lab in the world!

Scientists can live in Aquarius, off the coast of Key Largo , for nine days at a time. Marine science investigations and NASA training missions are conducted here. Check the website for current missions, scientist logs, and a 24 hour web cam active during missions. Aquarius has a Vbrick system which allows live broadcasting to occur over the web during mission outreach. This fall's outreach mission with UNC-CH scientists involved segments when students could email questions to scientists and get real-time answers through the V-Brick system. Not all missions involve outreach, but there is a push for Aquarius to move in this direction so stay posted to the website for future opportunities. http://www.uncw.edu/aquarius/

Data sharing with other classrooms

The web can also be a tool for posting atmospheric, lithospheric, or hydrospheric data your students collect in their local environment. By creating “scientist pen-pals” with other schools, students can share data with other students across the state and beyond much the same way real scientists do. Creating this authentic audience for students, emphasizes the importance of precise and accurate data collection and the use of data from multiple locations to create a better picture of how environmental factors can impact a system. We post local water quality data collected in the creek behind our school on the school website and are developing communication networks with mountain and coastal classrooms to share data. If you collect local water quality data and are interested in being part of a network for sharing data with other schools, email Melinda Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@chccs.k12.nc.us .

Videoconferencing and Megaconference Jr.

Connect face to face and voice to voice through internet multimedia conferencing. This is an incredible real-time learning forum where students share projects, ideas and discoveries and receive immediate feedback to enhance their learning experience. Videoconferencing is a tool to support communication between different groups of people. Our pen pals in Belgium and my students wanted to communicate past the print media – and we started asking questions on how to really talk to each other- we discovered that we are together in our differences.

Videoconferencing ( Student video)

Carolina Center for Educational Excellence: http://www.unc.edu/ccee/

Contact Lori Young by phone at (919) 843-5458 or email layoung@email.unc.edu

For help in understanding the technicalities of videoconferencing:

Video Conferencing Cookbook: http://www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en/

Vide: Video Development Initiative: http://www.vide.net/resources/ (consent forms)

Videoconferencing Notes:

•  -need IP address- every computer has one

start ?run?cmd (type in command) ?Ipconfig/all?enter/ok?find number in list (usually 4 groups of numbers)

•  software: Netmeeting on Windows XP or 2000

•  hardware: recommended webcam: Logitech: Quick Cam Pro 4000- has audio and video

Polycom IP address at the CCEE is 152.2.151.11

Doug Edmunds is the Director of Information Technology Services at UNC's School of Education

Megaconference Jr. 2005 http://megaconferencejr.org/

“Megaconference Jr. is a project designed to give students in elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real time, using advanced multi-point video conferencing technology. Presenters will design and conduct videoconference-based presentation and activities focused on both academic and cultural issues. Participants will be able to address questions to presenters and to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness.” http://megaconferencejr.org/

Use this website to investigate former presentations, presenters and their locations as well as contact information. Find out what technical support is need and how to get on the megaconference listserv.

Finally, thanks to students in Hawaii , you can check out the 2004 megaconference album to find out why this debut event was so successful.

Videoconferencing…

Are you interested in registering for Megaconference Jr. 2006? http://www.edutech.nodak.edu/fallvisits/video/mega_conference_jr/

Contact: Wayne Wermager ( wayne.wermager@sendit.nodak.edu )

à with opportunities for after hours community involvement and curriculum immersion

Scheduling videoconferences for evenings or weekends can be a great way to immerse students in their learning and involve families and other community members, too. Eighth graders at Smith Middle School spent the first Friday night of the year at school to participate in marine science activities, speak with scientists, and participate in a video conference with Philippe Cousteau.

II. Using the Tools of Technology to Communicate & Motivate Students 

Digital photography - $20 cameras! www.ecamerafilms.com/polaroid3.html

PowerPoint slideshows

Promoting classroom experiences through video

Epals.com- finding connections through email http://www.epals.com

III. Seeking Funding

Donorschoose.org : This is a website where those who serve (teachers) are supported by those who want to serve (donors). Proposals range from $50 to $2,500 +. www.donorschoose.org

Bright Ideas Grant ($1000-$2000) http://www.ncbrightideas.com/Nav.asp

Presented by:

Melinda Fitzgerald- Science
Smith Middle School
mfitzgerald@chccs.k12.nc.us
website: http://www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=2957

Robin McMahon – French
Smith Middle School
rmcmahon@chccs.k12.nc.us
website: http://www2.chccs.k12.nc.us/education/staff/staff.php?sectionid=2944