ISTE SIGIVC 2007: From Classes to a Museum IVC Enriches a Community
Organizational OverviewScott County Schools is a small rural district in Tennessee that is defined as economically
disadvantaged. Designated as a rural empowerment zone by the USDA, our entire district has been designated as Title I eligible. When the county began to make improvements in its technology initiatives, videoconferencing was a natural solution to share resources across the district.
Challenge
With less than 3000 students, Scott County lacked the resources to hire and retain advanced level teachers. Many required classes were held at a single facility, forcing students to bus between schools for classes required for graduation, thus losing 45 minutes of instructional time.
Solution
In June 2004, the county began an initiative to make improvements, which included developing a distance learning solution to streamline instructional resources. TANDBERG visual communications solutions were deployed throughout the district – endpoints, multipoint control units, TANDBERG content server for streaming and archiving session, trainings and lessons, as well as other infrastructure to ensure a successful program.
Results & Innovations
The results have been dramatic.
1. Students are saved hours of bus travel and still receive a face-to-face educational experience. Specialized teacher resources are now widely available across the district in a cost-effective and engaging manner. Students actively participate in the video classes, enjoying the technology as well as the content.
2. The student developed and student run Scott County Museum has been video-enabled to offer virtual field trips to other schools and organizations around the world. Students at Scott County are also participating in virtual field trips - taking them places they would never have been able to go before. Scott County students.
3. Faculty are also now able to take college courses from their own campus, and teachers can participate in professional development activities without travel time and expense.
4. Scott County is using visual communications to reach out to parents and the community at large. Parents have been engaged with the IVC during a parent activity this year. The TANDBERG Content Server is used to record and video stream the Board of Education meetings and The Scott High Graduation program for the public to view on demand.
The new advantages and opportunities are still emerging, but our entire community is now benefiting from this project - and the possibilities are limited only by our imaginations.
Contact Information
C. Michael Lay, Technology Coordinator, Scott County Schools
Huntsville, TN 37756
432-663-8486 cell 423-215-1611 mike@scottcounty.net