EPISD TV Studio
Video Conferencing
Over 75 campuses in EPISD have video conferencing capabilities. We are pleased to announce that video conferencing will be one of the Majors in the University of Technology.
From virtual field trips to professional development video conferencing is tool that should be utilized and embraced on every EPISD campus. The students love it and it is a very powerful learning tool.
Video Conferencing can be broken down into FOUR categories:
FIRST: Professional Content Providers:
These include zoos, museums, cultural institutions, research institutes, and hospitals that provide
expert content through virtual visits, electronic education, or virtual field trips. Most high-quality
providers charge a fee for their programming which may or may not include teacher and student materials
and teacher training. Most content providers programs are aligned to state standards of where the
provider is located and national standards. Check out the BCISD Program Database if Content
Providers http://www.twice.cc/fieldtrips.html.
The Second Category is VC PROJECTS & EXPERTS
These are existing video conferences programs & projects that are facilitated. One of the most well
known is Read Around the Planet, which is a celebration of NEA’s Read Across America. Classrooms use
video conferencing to connect with other classrooms “around the planet” and read to each other. Rusk
Elem. Participated in Read Around the Planet (http://www.twice.cc/read/index.html) again this year
and they connected with 35 different school across the United States and Canada.
There are several projects like Read Around the Planet such as Mystery Quest, Texas History Mystery, Holiday Tradition some of these project based conferences are even facilitated by the EPISD TV Studio. The EPISD Holiday Tradition Project included 3 school districts, 42 schools and served over 920 students.
One of the most beneficial video conferencing projects is the ASK program. Many of our elementary and High Schools have participated in these programs over the past two years. ASK stands for - Author, Specialist & Knowledge and it connects students with either the Author or a Specialist. Link to ASK http://www.twice.cc/ASK/index.html .
For instance, a Crockett teacher will be participating in an ASK program by reading “The Wall by Eve Bunting” a children’s book about the Vietnam Wall and then the students will have the opportunity
to video conference with Vietnam Vets and ask questions. This year alone EPISD schools have connected
with a wide variety of authors and experts - Kohlberg has connected NOAA weather specialists, Jefferson
with New York Times best selling author and Western Hills with a handful of well know children’s authors and many others.
THIRD Category of Video Conferencing are Classroom to Classroom Collaborations. These are teacher created projects posted on listsevs to find partners. You would be amazed to know there are thousands of schools across the country with video conferencing equipment. There are many existing classroom to classroom projects already designed and posted on line so teachers don’t necessarily start from scratch. Presently we have three EPISD third grade classes that have been writing letters to other classes outside of Texas and l have a community exchange video conference planned.
A wonderful way to find partners is thru CAPspace a social networking tool for educational videoconferencing. http://projects.twice.cc/ .
FOURTH: Professional Development & Traditional Distance Learning Classes:
As for professional development this year Kathleen Ortega, Director of Guidance Services has had
EPISD counselors participate in videoconferencing series with experts about topical issues – the
feedback has been very positive from the counselors. This series of staff development for the
counselors has given counselors access to a variety of experts and has been very cost effective.
Video conferencing will allow you to bring expert to your campus saving time, resources and travel
costs! There are also traditional distance learning classes available like foreign languages.
Should you have any questions about your video conferencing equipment, need training please contact Ashton Graham.
