1 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning

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1 1 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning Making Connections: We Videoconference K-12 MaryAnn Butler-Pearson, Ed.D. Distance Learning Coordinator Broward County Public Schools, Florida Introduction: Background and History of Videoconferencing in Broward County Broward County, Florida uses the videoconferencing medium to bring academic classes and programs, field trips and special events to thousands of students in its elementary, middle and high schools as well as adult education centers and centers for children with special needs. Videoconferencing was introduced in Broward County in 1997, as just one method of providing equitable educational opportunities to students in this geographically large, culturally and economically diverse school system. Teachers and administrators have also benefited form this format through staff development opportunities and informational meetings. The videoconferenced programs have become so popular that the district has purchased a 32-port videobridge for multipoint conferences. The Broward Education Communications Network (BECON), the district s educational communication network, is the hub for the videoconferencing initiative. As of April 2001, all 25 high schools, 16 middle schools, 20 elementary schools and 8 adult and special centers, as well as several district offices are equipped with group videoconferencing units that communicate at a minimum of 384kbps. The initiative is called DIMENSIONS because of the many current and future facets involved in distance learning. Institutional design: The formation of a consortium which included school district personnel with participation from the local higher education institutions, communications company, and equipment vendors was essential. The consortium still continues as a thriving organization with over 100 members. Once the most appropriate type of equipment was determined, sites were established to take part in pilot programs of various kinds. Training in both the technical operation of videoconferencing equipment and best teaching practices for videoconferenced learning opportunities was accomplished though the district s department of Human Resources and Development. Evaluation is an ongoing process, with attention to attitudinal as well as statistical analysis. District and school needs assessments play an important role in determining the nature of classes and academic programs initiated each school year. Many challenges have been met and others continue to surface. However, the bridging of time and space have become commonplace for the Distance Learning Department at BECON. Academics: Academics in the elementary and middle schools consist of weekly interactive programs that assist the classroom teachers through motivating the students and demonstrating model lessons for the teachers. Reading Rascals is designed to increase interest in reading through books about the many cultures that influence the American society and the use of guest readers who highlight their careers and invite the children to ask questions about the work that they do. Windows on the World brings natives from many

2 2 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning countries and cultures to visit with children in all grades. Students have the opportunity to ask questions about the country represented and learn first hand about its culture. Writing With A Florida Flair teaches elementary and middle school students the correct format for writing narratives similar to those that will be assessed on the state s competency exams. Another program that works with teachers and students in their preparation for the standardized tests is Math With Mr. G. Geometry is introduced to children in the 5 th grade and math skills are reviewed to promote higher success rates on the state exams. Science is made fun with Science Explorers. Students and their teachers explore the Earth and beyond. These programs have become so popular, that to maintain the desired amount of interactivity, some are repeated each week so the number of participating schools can be limited to 5 or 6 for each program. Students on site and at remote locations study geometry with MR. G. A research class for 8 th grade students affords them the opportunity to earn 1/2 of a high school credit while learning science facts and skills that will help them be successful in the higher-level science courses they will take when they get to high school. Middle school students also receive weekly assistance with topics that will appear on the State of Florida s assessment test, the FCAT. The scope of available courses in the high schools varies due to the nature and size of the student populations and the expertise and certifications of the teachers. In addition to providing classes for students who otherwise would be unable to take them, videoconferencing provides staff development opportunities for teachers. For example, when the facilitating teacher at a remote site is certified in the subject area but lacks the experience or confidence to teach at the Advanced Placement (AP) level, he is able to mentor under a highly successful AP teacher at the instructional school. In this way, the district is building a cadre of teachers for these high level classes. To date, 21 classes for high school students have been taught to students in AP and dual enrollment classes as well as regular level classes. Review sessions for the national AP exams are designed and lead by some of the district s most successful AP teachers.

3 3 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning Ms. Valerie Arena s videoconferenced Advanced Placement Literature class now benefits students at district high schools where the course had not previously been available to students. The passing rate was 98% for Ms. Arena s students. Unique projects: Using grant funding, one of the vocational/technical centers in the district placed videoconferencing units in the homes of 6 people with physical handicaps too severe to permit them to take classes at school. These individuals connected to a microcomputer lab at the school and learned an office administration program along with students on-site. Each earned certification from the vocational/technical center that will help them find gainful employment they can do from home. A center for students with severe emotional problems was able to offer Spanish to its students through videoconferencing. More innovative uses for the technology are planned for the next school year. Field Trips: Students at all levels have been given the opportunity to travel to various parts of the United States, Europe and Asia. The SAXOphone Project (Students All Over the World Exchanging Over the Phone), an enterprise Broward County shares with Nova Southeastern University and New York s BOCES, has brought together students and teachers in Broward County with their counterparts in several other states, England, Sweden, Norway, Germany and Japan. These field trips take students to places like the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, behind the scenes at the Broward Center for Performing Arts, the Mote Marine Science Institute in Sarasota, Florida, and the Urayasu Folk Museum in Japan. Broward County students meet their counterparts in Urayasu, Japan while they tour the Urayasu Folk Museum during a videoconference.

4 4 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning Special Events: Students at various schools have had the opportunity to participate in debates on hot topics such as violence in our schools and the death penalty. Among others, they have interviewed a producer/director in California, a survivor of the Holocaust, players for one of the professional sports teams in South Florida. One of the most exciting recent events was an informal concert given by a world-renowned Japanese Shakuhachi musician from his studio outside of Tokyo. A jazz musician of Japanese decent who lives in Florida played the vibraphone at the BECON facility. Each musician played separately and then, as musicians often do, they began to jam which thrilled the audience. Through the generosity of the Lucent Links Foundation, which funded the school district s West... Meet East project, a series of 12 videoconferences have been help between high school students in Broward County, Florida and Chiba, Japan. The students shared fashion preferences, prices for everyday items, music, dance and martial arts demonstrations, just to name a few of the topics. Students from outside Florida were also invited to attend the programs. On December 16, 2000, some elementary school students from Broward County Schools learned a song for world peace. Composed by a teacher in Spain, The Millennium Song was translated into over 56 languages and posted on the Internet. Not only did Broward students learn the song, but so did students in elementary schools around the world! At 3:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, the children in Broward County, Florida were videoconferenced with children in Spain, Kenya, Norway, Australia and Japan. This videoconference linked children on FIVE continents in the name of World Peace! Staff Development and Administrative Use: Curriculum department, principals meetings, and other administrative activities conducted through videoconferencing have saved the district money and the participants precious time away form their offices and schools. School to Career staff, teachers of the gifted, and area advisory councils are just some of the groups who have used the technology to meet interactively, in real time. District Curriculum Supervisors use videoconferencing for their monthly meetings with curriculum department chairpersons located at the district s high schools and middle schools. Over 1,200 teachers new to the district participated in the required orientation program for new teachers. Using videoconferencing, district teachers seeking National Board Certification have shared training activities and collaboration with teachers in 5 other districts in the state.

5 5 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning Teachers share ideas and expertise during district staff development workshop presented through videoconferencing. Where Do We Go From Here? The future for videoconferencing in Broward County Schools is limitless! Pilot programs integrating it with other electronic media such as the Internet, microwave transmission, and regular broadcast television have been successful, paving the way to enhanced learning opportunities for the teachers and students in the community. The Distance Learning Department at BECON is always looking for exciting possibilities and new partners in offering educational opportunities to Broward County students and their counterparts, wherever they are. Collaboration and sharing are the keywords in distance education! References Butler-Pearson, M.A. Videoconferencing In the Nation s Fifth Largest School System. Information Technology and Post-Secondary Education (ITPE), vol. III, pp. 6-7, Issue 6, March 28, Biographical Sketch MaryAnn Butler-Pearson, Ed.D., is the Distance Learning Coordinator for Broward County Schools, Florida, the fifth largest, fully accredited school system in the United States. She also serves as president of the Florida Distance Learning Association. Her presentations have been well received at various national and international distance learning conferences, including events in Japan and South Africa. Address: 6600 SW Nova Drive Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317

6 6 of 6 17TH Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning Phone: (954) ISDN: (954) ß butlerp@nova.edu