Video-Conferencing Timeline

2004-2005

Indianapolis Zoo (Plants and Animals) – grade 1

http://www.indyzoo.com/content.aspx?cid=267

All plants and animals have adaptations, or special features that make them better suited to live in their environments. In this program, students will discuss and observe several animals and plants and determine what their adaptations are and how they aid in survival.

Hagan/Nassau Buddies – grade 1

Students used letters, e-mail, video conferencing and in person communications with another 1st grade class. First grade students have been penpals all year. First grade classes were paired together between the two schools. The first exchanged personal introduction letters with pictures. They then exchanged e-mails talking about favorite animals, sports and games. In May, we video-conferenced with each other. Students each introduced themselves and invited their penpal to come to the other camera. They then shared their favorite subject in school and asked the penpal what was theirs. All students graphed the responses of all students in both classes. The teachers conducted discussion of the graphed results as part of the video-conference. After: In June, an end-of-the-year picnic take place to meet our penpals in person!

Ocean Institute (Whales) – grade 2

http://www.ocean-institute.org/edu_programs/distance.html

There are few animals in the ocean that fascinate humans more than whales. From graceful humpbacks to awe-inspiring blue whales, students learn how field biologists study these mysterious creatures. Younger students observe the differences between whales and fish, and determine how to identify different species of whales. In addition to learning visual clues for identification, older students record whale behaviors and study vocal patterns just as if they were aboard a research vessels.

Sloop-Clearwater – grade 4

Where in the World is EMEC? (a distance learning pilot program) Students will, through video conferencing, connect with the Esopus Meadows Environmental Center in Ulster Park, NY for a 45 minute learning activity. The activity will include hand out materials sent to the classroom prior to the experience. The experience will consist of a variety of interactive activities that use the EMEC location on the Hudson River as a learning tool – giving participating students a look at the Hudson as it appears on a marine chart and as it appears for real in real time.

Underground Railroad – Grade 5 Conner Prairie Museum http://www.connerprairie.org/Education/distanceLearning.asp - Follow the North Star
Follow the North Star is a characterization of the Underground Railroad in 1836 Indiana. Participants role-play fugitive slaves and interact with representative characters they may have met during their escape to freedom. This educational program embraces the African-American journey to freedom and familiarizes students with the hardships, triumphs and realities of one of our nation’s greatest historical phenomenon. Through true-to-life experiences, students and teachers will role-play a group of fugitive slaves trying to gain freedom.

2003-2004

Indianapolis Zoo (Animal Adaptations) – grade 1

http://www.indyzoo.com/content.aspx?cid=267

Hagan/Nassau Buddies – grade 1

Ocean Institute (Whales) – grade 2

http://www.ocean-institute.org/edu_programs/distance.html

Mexico Classroom Exchange – grade 2

Thomas Jefferson Tlalnepantla de Baz, México

Lynn Grainger’s Classroom Exchange – grade 3

Hudson Valley Video Tour – grade 4 (Grant received through Partners in Education of Dutchess County)

As part of our Video Tour of the Hudson Valley grant through the Community Foundation of Dutchess County, Leesa Marcinelli's 4th grade class from Hagan videoconferenced with Lynn Grainger's 3th grade class in Arlington about their field trip on the Pride of the Hudson. With the pictures taken on the field trip and additional pictures, our 4th graders created a PowerPoint about their trip. Sites highlighted from their field trip were Bannerman's Castle, Washington's Headquarters, West Point, Constitution Island, Storm King Mountain and Breakneck Mountain. Topics were also covered on Henry Hudson, the Hudson River as an estuary, and the Pride of the Hudson boat. In each small group PowerPoint presentation, students created a "Did You Know?" fact about their topic and a quiz question at the end of the presentation to review the material presented.

Mrs. Grainger's class was a very supportive and polite audience. We were actually surprised at all the correct answers they got on the quiz questions! With Mrs. Grainger's help, we have perfected our presentation in anticipation of the other 2 classes we will be presenting to - Scott Stiverson in Rhinebeck and Donald Stark in Poughkeepsie.

2002 – 2003

Indianapolis Zoo (Plants) – grade 1

Indianapolis Zoo (Animal Adaptations) – grade 1

Hagan/Nassau Buddies – grade 1

Lynn Grainger’s Classroom Exchange – grade 3

England Classroom Exchange – grade 3

East Wittering School, England (3rd Grade)
- As part of the 3rd grade curriculum, we have had multiple connections with Mr. Steve Potter in Chichester, England. We have had discussions on similarities and differences between our countries including celebrations, entertainment, culture, interests, etc. We prepared a PowerPoint about our community that we presented to them.

Japan Classroom Exchange – grade 3

Niihama, Ehime, Japan – (3rd grade) We had the opportunity to video conference with a group of students in Japan last year using the Project View bridge. We are planning to conference with them again on May 30th. Unfortunately, they are 13 hours different, so the students can’t conference with us from school, but instead from a home. We always conference Friday at 9:30 am which is 10:30 pm in their time. In the past we have had discussions on the traditions and cultures of Japan. They presented Powerpoints about Boys’ and Girls’ Day. They showed us how to fold paper and sing Japanese songs. What the students love the most about talking with children in Japan is finding out all the differences in the way we live. Very few Japanese families have pets. They attend school every other Saturday. The questioning time is the most enjoyable for both sides. A translator is present at the Japan side to help with the language barrier.

Video Baseball: Then and Now – grades 4-5 (Grant received through Partners in Education of Dutchess County)

Students learned about the history of baseball by video-conferencing with the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Then the students researched an aspect of the game and created a presentation to videotape. Presentations included news reports, commercials, dance routines, play, sport report, etc.

NYS Social Studies Review – grade 5 (Nassau/Hagan)

Sharpe Review – grade 5

To connect students as a follow-up activity to the team building days spent at Sharpe.
Students use language, voice, gesture, movement, and observation to express their experiences and communicate ideas and feelings. Students from both schools spend 3 days at Sharpe Reservation Outdoor Education Center. When returning to school, students from each school wrote riddles to describe an activity at Sharpe. Students presented their riddles at the VC and the other school had to figure out what activity they were referring to. This was the culminating activity.

Arlington Board of Education

2001 – 2002

Hagan/Nassau Buddies – grade 1

Ocean Institute (Whales)– grade 2

Cincinnati Zoo http://www.cincyzoo.org/Education/SchoolPrograms/distance%20learning/distancelearning.html

England Classroom Exchange – grade 3

Japan Classroom Exchange – grade 3

NYS Science Review – grade 4

Spackenkill Board of Education

CAIT Council Meeting

2000-2001

Texas – grade 5