CILC eNote - February 2008

Tips for Site Coordinators
February 2008

FEATURING Middle School Site Coordinators Carmel Community Schools Carmel, Indiana
Elizabeth Barrett Clay Middle School Media Specialist	Jo Ellen Flynn Creekside Middle School Media Specialist	Vivian Lawhead Carmel Middle School Media Specialist

Best Experience
Vivian – Since we are fairly new to DL, each scheduled program is an adventure! Our favorite so far was a program with a Holocaust survivor who simply sat in an armchair and talked for close to 50 minutes to 8th graders. There was not a sound in the room while he spoke, and their questions to him later were well thought out and impressive. Nothing in the regular classroom could have possibly matched this experience.

Bets – Visualize 120 1st graders sitting on the carpet ready with scissors, paper, and glue. During the e-journey to the Columbus Zoo's "Animals in Every Layer" program, 20 students interacted with the discussion of an Asian rainforest. Thanks to the presenter's expert ability even the other 100 students only watching the interaction felt totally included! We grinned as ALL 120 hands and papers were raised when she asked to see their "canopy" layer. Watching the rapt attention of first graders, media specialists, teachers, and principals and knowing they felt strongly enough about the learning experience to schedule an e-journey for every grade level was the best experience a site coordinator could ever have.

Jo-Ellen – The ability to showcase this new technology to students and staff members alike is what I like the best. No matter how many times you connect to someone, it's the audiences' recognition I love. In that one moment when all of a sudden their faces light up and everything gets really quiet in the studio, you realize that they get it. For one brief second, the recognition that someone on the screen is really live in real time is what I like the best.

A Lesson Learned
Vivian – If we have learned nothing else so far, it is to RELAX, ENJOY, and be prepared for a few bumps in the road. This is not a life or death experience. Occasionally your connection will be bad, the program might not be as expected, but ALWAYS we gain something from the experience. Distance Learning offers an experience that simply cannot be matched in a regular classroom, so it's important to be the schools' Distance Learning Cheerleader!

Bets – don't hesitate to explain in detail the teachers's goals, state standards, and requirements for the lesson. Content providers are usually great at accommodating. They sincerely want the program to be "just right" for your students.

Jo Ellen – Work on public relations to your learning community of what a distance learning program can do for the audience. Your behind the scenes work will stand for itself when you make the connections. Your proficiency in being able to talk about your successes will override any technical difficulties or glitches that might happen along the way.

Lingering Questions
Vivian – We are anxious to offer more school to school collaborations to our teachers, but find it somewhat difficult to find those connections. Other schools interested? Other teachers? Site coordinators willing to work together?
Bets – Why do we not see more examples of great distance learning programming used at state and national conferences? We must do a better job of sharing best practices.

Jo-Ellen – Has anyone worked on forms or electronic calendars to share? I have difficulty in keeping my paper work shuffled when it comes to scheduling, test calling, informing the class, feedback after the program, etc. How much do we really need to do when it comes to record keeping?

Use the Videoconferencing Site Coordinator's Community in NING to respond to Vivian, Bets, and Jo-Ellen!
It's open and free for anyone to join.

Who is next?

If you have a tip to share, please contact me.

Sincerely,
Dawn Colavita
866-474-5226