WPS K-12 Video Conferencing Opportunities
by David Privett
Wahoo Public Schools now owns three distance learning video conferencing carts (one in each school). These carts open the door to thousands of 21st Century opportunities to teachers to enhance their instruction by providing live programming offered by world-wide colleges, universities, museums, state/federal governmental departments, zoos, hospitals, businesses, etc.
Some of the programming is free, and some has a fee associated with it. The National Archives in Washington D.C. and the Durham Museum in Omaha, for instance, offer free programming for students. The Museum of Science and Industry will allow an anatomy/physiology class to view a LIVE, narrated open heart surgery for a fee of $240. The sky's the limit!
There are a couple online database resources you should consult to browse what's available:
CILC (Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration)
(Click on the "Content Provider Programs" icon and then search by a topic you wish to explore. Please click HERE to view a list of content providers on the CILC database.)
Polycom VC Content Providers Database
(Please click HERE to view a list of content providers on the Polycom VC database.)
Does it look intimidating? Yes. But trust me--if you can dial a phone, you can use this equipment! Please contact me if you have any questions about this exciting opportunity!
