Changed Lives: A Snapshot

Can videoconferencing experiences change lives?
Read these few snapshots and see for yourself!

Definition of a Changed Life: Based on a videoconferencing experience(s), a person makes a shift or move in perspective, attitude and/or actions.

Snapshot #1: A change in attitude and motivation

• The situation:
  An elementary aged boy had been giving his mom a lot of grief about going to school. His class, along with two (2) other classes in different locations, conducted experiments which paralleled those done by astronauts in space. On the day of the videoconferencing event, each class shared the outcome of their experiment. Then the astronauts shared how each experiment was actually done in space.
• The change:
  During this experience, the young boy decided he wanted to be an astronaut. He became eager to go to school; he became a motivated learner with a purpose.

Snapshot #2: A change in motivation

• The situation:
  A high school English teacher also taught a class or two in Latin. As he neared retirement, his zest for teaching was beginning to wane. Then his school implemented videoconferencing and asked if he would teach his Latin class to a neighboring high school as well as to his own class. He agreed.
• The change:
  Not only did he teach this point to point Latin class, but the following year he expanded to include two (2) other schools as well, teaching with a ‘quad split screen.’ He became so enthused about teaching again, that his retirement was forgotten for another four (4) years!

Snapshot #3: A change in perception

• The situation:
  Students in Huntsville, Alabama videoconferenced with a students in Taradate, New Zealand to compare their worlds.
• The change:
  Students realized that students half way around the world were just like them!

Snapshot #4: A change in direction

• The situation:
  Students in the 7th and 8th grades from four (4) different urban neighboring schools participated in a project aimed at better prepared these the students to enter the workforce and contribute to the county and state economies. The approach incorporated inquiry-based learning, multiple technologies (including videoconferencing), career panels shared via videoconferencing, and a visit to a local college.
• The change:
  Students gained knowledge of what subjects they need to take in high school and what would be expected of them in those careers. “Some had never really thought about a profession and going to college before.” Most now have a roadmap for their future.

Your Turn
More than meeting the standards, more that providing new experiences, a videoconference experience truly has the power to change lives.

Won’t you share a story of a changed life?
Just follow the above definition and format and email it to Dawn.