CILC Symposium Corner

Meet Rowena Gerber

The Miami Country Day School in Miami, Florida, where Rowena is the Director of the Abess Center for Environmental Studies, is planning to build a new library/media center. Having attended Keystone Conference in the past, Rowena decided that bringing the library director, Kate Greene, with her to the 2007 Symposium would give them the opportunity to meet exhibitors in a low key setting where they could learn, get all their questions answered, and see state of the art equipment all at the same time. It worked! Together they made many contacts and felt that the format of the Symposium provided plenty of time to accomplish all their goals.

On a more personal note, Rowena came to the Symposium to network. She said, “I met inspiring people, like Janine Lim, Jan Zanetis, Paul Hieronymus, and others.” Perhaps you were one of them! She marveled at how Janine jumped right in and volunteered to connect to a group of teachers meeting in a conference setting that very Friday. She has shared Jan’s book, Videoconferencing for K-12 Classroom, with her teachers and their students, all of whom found the format very easy to use. In addition, her teachers have already participated in a series hosted by Paul. Overall, Rowena was “reassured by hearing and meeting others who were dealing the same problems and issues” facing her. Isn’t this what networking is all about?

Being collaborative is at the very soul of Rowena’s nature. A master teacher/trainer for IEARN, the International Education and Resource Network, for the past 13 years, she facilitates four of their projects reaching over 100 countries. In the last few weeks, she posted two collaborations on CILC’s Collaboration Center: Second Grade Weather Partners and Solar Cooker Construction and Use in Developing Countries. Weather Partners had an overwhelming response—over 40 teachers expressed interest. Determining who will be matched with whom is now in the hands of her teachers. (Smart Lady!) Solar Cooking is still open. This project allows connecting classrooms to build the own solar cookers together with her students or just help them get started, or meet weekly to discuss their progress. This project is done online via the internet, via videoconferencing, or a combination of both.

CILC thanks Rowena for the time she shared during our phone interview to enable the CILC Symposium to continue its goal of connecting videoconferencing users for the purpose of advancing learning.

Rowena Gerber
Rowena has been involved in IVC for the last ten years, and has been internationally recognized for her collaborative work with educators and students around the world. She also serves as the coordinator for Education and Youth group for the Solar Cooker International Association.

Contact Information:
Rowena Gerber
Miami Country Day School
601 NE 107th Street, Miami, Florida, 33161

NOTE: CILC will continue to feature 2007 Symposium attendees in the E-News. Those interested may contact Dawn.