Distance Learning Presented by: Shawn-Kimberly Kocher Kristin Skinker Melissa Whitman on a Shoestring Budget

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

SO... We thought outside the box...

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

Community Organizations Moravian Historical Society –Colonial Figures –Crafts Chamber of Commerce –Local Businesses - Careers Local Arboretum

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

High School Theater Department Mystery Reader- –1 st Grade Classroom- as the class mystery reader –Read Across America Pilgrim Voyage- –HS students dressed as pilgrims –Did a Q & A session with 5 th 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

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

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

Sometimes its not all about SEEing! Texting or Chatting –Through the use of chat teachers or other volunteers pretend to be someone else

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??????

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

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 - Kristin Skinker - Melissa Whitman - Nazareth Area School District K-12 District Technology Integration Specialists