Distance Learning
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Distance Learning • Presented by: • Shawn-Kimberly Kocher • Kristin Skinker • Melissa Whitman n a Shoestring Bu
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Presented by: Shawn-Kimberly Kocher Kristin Skinker Melissa Whitman. Distance Learning. on a Shoestring Budget. Distance Learning. In the past we used the traditional methods of distance learning . . . BUT . . . Cost was TOO much - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Distance Learning
Distance Learning
• Presented by:• Shawn-Kimberly Kocher• Kristin Skinker• Melissa Whitman
on a Shoestring Budget
WWW.NAZARETHASD.ORG
Distance Learning• In the past we used the traditional
methods of distance learning . . .
• BUT . . .– Cost was TOO much– Polycom Machine was not portable and only
had two in the district– No one ever seemed to budget for video
conferencing fees– Video conference times were not convenient
to our school day
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SO . . .• We thought outside the box . . .
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Our Thoughts . . .• Use the resources we have around us . .
.– Within our district– In our community– From our stakeholders– From our family, friends and neighbors– Even other school districts
• We all had the same goal . . . to break down the walls and make education authentic, meaningful and a life-long learning experience
WWW.NAZARETHASD.ORG
Community Organizations• Moravian Historical Society
– Colonial Figures– Crafts
• Chamber of Commerce– Local Businesses - Careers
• Local Arboretum
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Within Our Schools• High School
– String Orchestra Instruction• String Orchestra teacher broke both ankles in a
traffic accident coming to school• Tried using Polycom unit –and could not connect• Used Skype to teach lessons and to advise string
orchestra• Taped students periodically and sent video and
audio home for her to assess• Example
– Art Club• Nazareth HS and Easton HS share art work,
accordion sketchbook and stories – German Class
• Actively use German with connections in Germany and with teacher’s nephew who is currently an exchange student
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High School Theater Department• Mystery Reader-
– 1st Grade Classroom- as the class mystery reader
– Read Across America
• Pilgrim Voyage-– HS students dressed as pilgrims– Did a Q & A session with 5th Grade students– Pilgrims were mystified by the “children in
the strange box”– Students were able to ask questions about
the voyage to America– EXAMPLE - Katie Fritchman –
Theater/Television Studio Student
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Within Our Schools• K-8 Schools
– Writing Buddies - Grade 3 and Grade 6• Students share and edit writing through peer
editing buddies– TV News Show
• Skype Interviews with sports athletes, famous connections
– Mystery Readers• Grade 6 students read books to grade 1 students
… EXAMPLE– Story Share
• Grade 2 students from Shafer Elementary and Lower Nazareth Elementary share stories written in their class
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• K-8 Schools– Book Buddies - Grade 2 and Grade 7
• Students in the Middle School read books or stories they write to Second Grade and then Second Grade students read a weekly library book
• Practice reading fluency for the younger students and a chance to share and proofread their own writings for the older students
– Pen Pals• Student Teacher Pen Pals - Meet live through
Skype as culmination– Reader’s Theater
Within Our Schools
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Sometimes its not all about SEEing!
• Texting or Chatting– Through the use of chat teachers or other
volunteers pretend to be someone else
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Other Ideas . . .– Deployed teachers, family members or
community relation• Currently have two teachers stationed abroad
– Ethiopia– Afghanistan
• Skype and learn the different cultures, share cooking ideas, language and more
– Famous Connections - using community and student connections to interview and learn from others
– Schools sharing author visits and splitting the costs with more than one school
– Suggestions??????
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How we get “Buy In” . . .
• Work with a select few teachers FIRST• Have them pick one area in the
curriculum that is not particularly exciting and needs a “pick me up”
• Brainstorm as a team on how we can make the concept more meaningful
• Try it with one teacher and let others observe
• Each little activity creates a buzz and more and more ideas evolve
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Tips on a Good Activity
• ALWAYS do a TEST CALL!!!!• Be sure to have an extra microphone
available• Have speakers for your computer• Register different names on Skype to
accommodate activity• Speak with your IT Department ahead of
time to be sure they will be on call for any situations
• Check camera and call quality• ALWAYS teach your students proper
distance learning etiquette prior to the activity
THANK YOU!!! Questions?
Code - GL16
Our contact information:
• Shawn-Kimberly Kocher - [email protected]
• Kristin Skinker - [email protected]
• Melissa Whitman - [email protected] Area School DistrictK-12 District Technology Integration Specialists610-759-1170
