VC User Group Meeting-October

October 16, 2007

DISCLAIMER: I was missing Shane on Monday. He was out and I had to be Shane and Roxanne at the same time and…uh…let’s just say that Shane has spoiled me by making the technology work so well!

We met from 3:30-4:40 and had eight sites connecting. (Up from average of 3 last year!)

Agenda:

1. Monster Match Update: 86 classes participating (14 from Michigan) almost all partners are made. New this year–schedule is posted in a wiki and teachers will post descriptions in the wiki. I will keep you posted as to how well this works. http://monstermatch.pbwiki.com Let us know if you can’t get to the wiki and we will work with techs to unblock in filter.
2. Scheduling update: Renovo software is continuing to evolve. We got a new build this week and some of the issues are being resolved. Remember to request your connections before the day of the conference. Eventually, it won’t matter, but for now it is still a manual adjustment. Good news: it makes connecting to TETN events easier. NO FORMS! You still have to send in the sign-in sheet.
3. Feedback from districts:
   Lola said that Landmark Challenge is going well (except for the student who got sick during the second connection!) She continues to hold the record for students getting sick during connections. I see another award in her future!

   Christie had rave reviews about Weather with Rusty (this was also shared by Melissa!) Kudos to Shane for starting this project. Teachers who have NEVER expressed interest in vc have wanted to connect for a weather project with a local celebrity!

   Cleveland Metroparks Zoo connection was good. Christie said that after that connection the students AND the teachers were making a list of other things they wanted to study and connect with through videoconference.

   Positive feedback on attempt to use wiki in Monster Match. (We will see if it works better than email.) Several districts shared that it will be helpful for more eyes to watch descriptions and to help out.

4. Upcoming Projects:
   Bluebonnet has begun and the meeting with classes and BU students was well worth the extra effort. Baylor students are excited and so are the elementary students!
   
   Night of the Twisters and Monkey Island ASK programs are full and in progress.
5. At the end of the session I shared a new zoo that I found has quality FREE videoconferences available. Nice to have a bonus to provide to those who attend. and they also get 6 hours staff development credit for all the time they spend throughout the month supporting their teachers.

I want to THANK all of my site managers and building coordinators. They are incredible and do so much to promote videoconferencing and assist teachers. I continue to be amazed at the growth in our program that really doesn’t fit into curriculum or technology…but it is the best of both. We get students engaged in ideas and content using technology. Thank you, all!

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