We know that technology
makes huge impacts on our society. LISD/CEMaT is embracing
the challenge of providing meaningful educational
opportunities via
distance learning technologies for students and
educators in Lenawee County.
Videoconferencing
Videoconferencing has been making its way into classrooms
and media centers of Lenawee County.
We harness the power of two-way, interactive video
and audio connections for different purposes:
Connecting with Experts
During
the 2005-06 school year videoconferencing has been used to
allow students to learn directly from experts around the
country even though they were different geographic
locations. For example, Morenci and Madison high schools'
advanced biology & anatomy students witnessed live knee
replacement surgery and interacted with surgical staff
during sessions with a hospital in Columbus, OH. Elementary
students all around the county benefited by connecting with
author Denise Brennan-Nelson during the 3rd annual Lenawee
County Author Visit. These kids of videoconferences are
conducted when they support the curriculum as defined by the
State of Michigan and districts.
Connecting
with Other Students
In the
last 4 years, various classrooms in Lenawee County have
participated in annual videoconferencing events with
students in other parts of North America during the
Read
Around the Planet and
Michigan Week collaborations. Using technology in this
way opens windows to communication & understanding the
similarities and differences in the ways people live, learn,
work, and play here and elsewhere.
Course Delivery
Last year
LISD piloted an after school mini-course in Japanese
Language & Culture for some middle school students in
Clinton and Deerfield. The mini-course was taught by Nina
Howard, Coordinator of the
Japanese Exchange Program with help from 2 exchange
students from Japan. Reviews were very positive and plans
are under way to repeat, and possibly expand, the offering
for the 2006-07 school year. |
