Cooperative Link:September 2004 : Technology

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Technology:

Video Streaming Has Value for SCSC Schools

Many of the schools in the South Central Service Cooperative area have been experimenting with a new kind of video resource that enhances the school curriculum. A contract with AIMS Digital Curriculum was negotiated last spring by SCSC and SOCRATES in a continuing effort to provide technical support to your schools. Digital Curriculum is a collection of over 1800 educational videos, video clips, digital pictures and encyclopedia resources. Teachers and students are able to view these resources through the Internet from school or at home. Annual subscription costs to schools are less than 50 cents per student.

Here is where some educators have used Digital Curriculum. An elementary principal in one district was able to assemble her bus safety program with a 15 minute film "School Bus Safety: Riding Cool to School." The film also had worksheets and test questions taken from the 36 page AIMS Teaching Module. A high school English teacher found an Oscar winning film on "Romeo and Juliet" that fit her curriculum perfectly. A health teacher was heard to comment that he had just bought the video he was watching and had had to pay $240 for it. That is not an uncommon price for educational videos. Unlike Hollywood, educational videos have a limited market thus requiring a higher price tag.

Digital Curriculum can go beyond simply showing a full-length video. AIMS has taken their videos and divided them into what they call key concepts. Instead having to show a full 20 minute video to address an objective, the 2 minute video clip can be shown thus saving valuable class time and focusing on the intended lesson objective. Teachers can also create assignments for their students that include written directions, links to video concepts or images, interactive assessment, and Encyclopedia Britannica content and a closed email system for teacher/student communications. All of this is available to the student and the teacher 24 x 7. All that is needed is Internet access.

Training in the use of Digital Curriculum is provided by SOCRATES. After school sessions can introduce this resource. A two-three hour session is best to learn all of the possibilities of this rich video resource. For further information, contact Glenn Morris at 507-389-5106, gmorris@mnscsc.org, or to subscribe to Digital Curriculum, contact SOCRATES Director Dale Carrison at 507-388-4264, dcarrison@projectsocrates.org. If you would like an introduction to Digital Curriculum or assistance in its use with your teachers, contact teacher trainer Dave Henning at 651-491-0592, dhenning@projectsocrates.org.

Online Learning Helps Schools Expand Course Offerings

A new course option is opening up for high schools in the SCSC region. Class.com is a certified online learning company with nearly 50 high school courses ranging from Algebra to World Literature. SOCRATES through the cooperation of TIES is able to offer these courses to high schools at a very reasonable rate of $165/student. This is a huge benefit to school districts needing courses for individual students they are unable to offer otherwise.

Class.com began as a federal research project aimed at reluctant/at risk students. Spinning off as a private company it has served over 18,000 students in 4,000 high schools throughout the country. The growth of online learning has almost doubled in the last four years. This E-learning provides courses for accelerated learners, remediation programs, homebound students, alternative school students, home schooled children, adults in your community as well as students with scheduling conflicts.

Semester courses are delivered via the Internet to students whether in school or at home. A class.com certified teacher with a valid MN teaching license in the subject area is required to facilitate the course. SOCRATES consultant, Dave Henning is able to provide the certified class.com training to district teachers much as it has trained teachers in the use of interactive television instruction. In the future, school districts may wish to consider sharing class.com teachers much as they do in ITV.

Students complete rigorous course requirements while being monitored by the class.com teacher. Students submit reports, take tests and collaborate on topics via discussion boards or chats. Students are monitored regularly to ensure their success in the course.

For further information on class.com check their web site at www.class.com or contact Dale Carrison at SOCRATES at 507-388-4264, dcarrison@projectsocrates.org

Many of the schools in the South Central Service Cooperative area have been experimenting with a new kind of video resource that enhances the school curriculum. A contract with AIMS Digital Curriculum was negotiated last spring by SCSC and SOCRATES in a continuing effort to provide technical support to your schools. Digital Curriculum is a collection of over 1800 educational videos, video clips, digital pictures and encyclopedia resources. Teachers and students are able to view these resources through the Internet from school or at home. Annual subscription costs to schools are less than 50 cents per student.

Here is where some educators have used Digital Curriculum. An elementary principal in one district was able to assemble her bus safety program with a 15 minute film "School Bus Safety: Riding Cool to School." The film also had worksheets and test questions taken from the 36 page AIMS Teaching Module. A high school English teacher found an Oscar winning film on "Romeo and Juliet" that fit her curriculum perfectly. A health teacher was heard to comment that he had just bought the video he was watching and had had to pay $240 for it. That is not an uncommon price for educational videos. Unlike Hollywood, educational videos have a limited market thus requiring a higher price tag.

Digital Curriculum can go beyond simply showing a full-length video. AIMS has taken their videos and divided them into what they call key concepts. Instead having to show a full 20 minute video to address an objective, the 2 minute video clip can be shown thus saving valuable class time and focusing on the intended lesson objective. Teachers can also create assignments for their students that include written directions, links to video concepts or images, interactive assessment, and Encyclopedia Britannica content and a closed email system for teacher/student communications. All of this is available to the student and the teacher 24 x 7. All that is needed is Internet access.

Training in the use of Digital Curriculum is provided by SOCRATES. After school sessions can introduce this resource. A two-three hour session is best to learn all of the possibilities of this rich video resource. For further information, contact Glenn Morris at 507-389-5106, gmorris@mnscsc.org, or to subscribe to Digital Curriculum, contact SOCRATES Director Dale Carrison at 507-388-4264, dcarrison@projectsocrates.org. If you would like an introduction to Digital Curriculum or assistance in its use with your teachers, contact teacher trainer Dave Henning at 651-491-0592, dhenning@projectsocrates.org.