Lessons Learned

…On gaining new knowledge from the program

Content Provider: Mote Marine Laboratory
Program Title: Mammals, Mammoths, MANATEES!

Impact on Learning
"Our students live in a very isolated part of the country and within our own state we are very isolated. These students would not have had the chance to visit such a place as Mote Marine Lab. The students were very engaged and excited. They were very attentive and have seemed to retain the information presented. I believe this is because of the excitement they were obviously feeling at the time. The teachers who were present were very impressed and also excited to witness the production and its contents. They were all very pleased with the outcome and they expressed their enthusiasm which has carried over to the students also. The students and teachers are all doing follow-up activities associated with the program. We are planning future participation in such programs including Mote Marine Lab and other available programs via ITV and distance learning. We are ready to move into the future of the co-existence of learning and technology and we are excited to see where we can go with it!"

Increase in Educator Knowledge
The experience made me feel as if I was watching the first 'virtual reality' experiences of the students who are or will be our future technology participants. I could see where technology will be taking the students who are lucky enough to participate in what is available to them. I felt very privileged to help these students participate on an equal footing with other students in this new distance learning world. I was reminded of the importance of maintaining my own enthusiasm and for providing support for students as they embark on this journey of education through distance learning.

Recommend? Yes
"We would definitely recommend this program to others because of the rich experiences it offers. This kind of learning environment stimulates the students’ minds so that they absorb the material more readily. This kind of distance learning offers students the feeling of in the place and looking at the animals and the people who work at the Marine Lab. The presenter used materials and content rich visuals as well as program materials that supported and enriched our students' learning experience. The content standards were achieved by the presenter and her enthusiasm was contagious. Our students are still talking about it after three days."

Comments
"The presenter used visuals in her presentation and today's students need practice and experience learning with visuals. The presenter also used the visuals with many personal interjections of the people who work there. The students had questions about what a job working with marine animals would be like and it gave them many avenues to wonder about. As teachers, we use tables and other visuals because we know it helps students organize and make sense of the information they need to learn. Visuals offer good teaching practices for students and support them. The students also really seemed to enjoy seeing the manatees and the importance of preserving the animals for future generations was impressed upon them. Student retention of the information presented seems to remain high. Our students now have experience communicating using the latest technology and that gives them an edge in today's learning community."
- Teacher, Grades 4-5

Content Provider: Amon Carter Museum View other programs by this provider.
Program Title: Painting Pictures with Words: Patricia MacLachlan at the Carter
This particular program is no longer offered.

Impact on Learning
"Students are excited and want to write their own books."

"Ms. MacLachlan was an engaging speaker. Her comments about the process of writing were instructive."

"Patricia MacLachlan gave them many good ideas about how to be better writers."

Increase in Educator Knowledge
"Learning about special facts of the author made her books come alive."

"I learned some interesting biographical information about the author, but nothing new regarding the writing process."

"I gained new info about why she wrote some of the books-to share with future classes."

Recommend? Yes
"One of the outstanding videoconferences I have seen/participated in."

"It was interesting and engaging. It is good for students to "meet" the authors of the books they read and learn about how a "job" that is unfamiliar to them in their daily lives is done."
-Teachers, Grade 3, 4, 7, 8

Content Provider: LEARNnco
Program Title: Body Order Systems

Impact on Learning
"They loved the interaction and the fact that the presenter actually called his wife for an answer!!"

Increase in Educator Knowledge
"Some of the activities were helpful...ping pong ball one especially."

Recommend? Yes
"It was entertaining and informative...especially good for getting prior knowledge." -Teacher, Grade 5