Videoconferencing Out on a Lim

Videoconferencing Out on a Lim is about one distance learning coordinator’s experiences, curriculum thoughts, and technology rants related to k12 videoconferencing. I coordinate videoconferencing for 18 school districts in southwest Michigan. We have 70 Polycom units and we also have Tandberg infrastructure (MPS, Gateway, Gatekeeper and TMS). We’ve been doing videoconferencing since 1999. You can read about our program online here: SouthwestNet Distance Learning.

I have a teaching background and bring that curriculum knowledge to videoconferencing. This background helps me look at VC from the teacher’s perspective. From that perspective, I’ve created several tools that are useful for assisting teachers with finding quality VC content. For example, one tool is the annual “Two Page Selected List”… I do two versions - one for my local teachers posted on my distance learning website and including information on how my teachers register with me for VCs - and one for everyone else to use posted on the TWICE website (look in the top right column).

In addition, I have a knack and love for learning new technologies so I am also the “techie” for our distance learning program. I run our MCU bridge; assist our local distance learning coordinators with using their Polycoms, and interact with our network guys on the issues related to IP videoconferencing. All this I’ve learned as it has come my way - from colleagues, from our wonderful SBC helpdesk, from VTCTalk.com and any other source I can find from which to learn! So in my blog, I also comment on the technical side of videoconferencing

I also a founder and board member of TWICE. TWICE stands for Two Way Interactive Connections in Education. TWICE is Michigan’s videoconferencing organization. We started in 2001 when several of us, mostly at the ISD level (Michigan educational service agency term), decided we ought to be collaborating and sharing great resources.

So, come back often and see what I’m learning, creating, or thinking about related to videoconferencing in k12 education!

Links to Some of My Projects

• Read Around the Planet
• MysteryQuest
• BCISD Field Trip Database
• Planning Interactive Curriculum Connections, an online class
• Kid2Kid Videoconference Connections, another online class.

A Note About Comments
I moderate comments on my blog, deleting offensive or questionable comments, spam, and comments that link to link farm sites.