Virtual Visits with the New York Hall of Science

The following has been brought to our attention by Janine Lim who is the Instructional Technology Consultant at Berrien RESA. We would really appreciate it if you can help vote The New York Hall of Science for this prestigious award.

Berrien RESA is hosting Teacher’s Choice Awards to select the Best Content Providers for the 2008-2009 school year. Results will be shared via the Berrien RESA VC Content Providers Database and the videoconferencing listservs.

Many of you use the BCISD Videoconference Program Database from
one of these websites:
http://www.VCContentProviders.org
TWICE: http://www.twice.cc/fieldtrips.html
or from search boxes on your local distance learning website.

Polycom has chosen to do a drawing for prizes to random participants of the survey to encourage participation. If you wish to be included in the drawing, add your contact information at the end of the survey. Polycom will selecting the winners randomly.

Click this link to take the short survey (or copy the address into your browser):
http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB22952VSCJBR

You must complete the survey by May 18, 2009 to be included in the drawing.

Please share this announcement with your local videoconferencing colleagues. We welcome entries from teachers, even if they vote in only one category/subject area.

Thank you for your time!

During our recent school’s out week in April, the Digital Learning department was proud to have held its second Virtual Worlds Camp instructed by Ray Ferrer. We had a nice combination of newcomers and veterans.

In our previous camp held in February, the students were able to create exhibits in Active World based on some of the exhibits we have on our museum floor. These exhibits range from dealing with air pressure to a scientific concept in sports referred to as the squash factor. The second camp had a different focus. Students were inspired by our Chemistry Demonstration and with a little additional research, they all came up with an exhibit based on the phases of matter. The rookies picked up on navigation and building quickly while the veterans were taking their skills to the next level with the introduction of new commands. They all definitely develop a new appreciation for designing exhibits. Here is some pictures of the students showing off their work to their friends and family.

It is always interesting to see what people think the benefits are to videoconferencing. From my perspective, I get to interact with students across the United States and soon globally with our “Hall Around the World” initiative. So far, it has been a blast meeting all of these different students.

I recently read Janine Lim’s blog post “Benefits of VC: In the Words of a Teacher” where she mentions what teachers feel the benefits are to videoconferencing. One benefit that instantly caught my attention was the “the students love the fact that they can see and interact with another school with immediate feedback.” I think that is fascinating because from a content provider point of view, I enjoy videoconferencing for the same reason.

What do you think the benefits to students are for videoconferencing?

Before heading out to our Tandberg Award Ceremony, I had the opportunity to visit our fellow museum colleagues at the Orlando Science Center. Upon entering the museum the very first thing that caught my attention was a miniature pit of real life alligators that were dead center in the first level.  They attracted a lot of attention because the design of the staircase between levels allowed for them to always be visible to visitors.

Grossology, “the impolite science of the human body”, was the museums’ traveling exhibition.  Now growing up with three older brothers, I thought I had been around my fair share of burping and farting. This exhibition made me think twice about that previous statement.  In this area children were allowed to slide down the a 3-D model of the digestive system and play a pinball machine called “GasAttack”. All the exhibits were very interactive and really gave me feeling as if I were in a scientific arcade room. The museum had a huge collection of other interactive exhibits which were great as well. Overall, I had a fun time and would really like to visit again one day. You can visit the Orlando Science Center website by clicking on the following link.

*Click on this link to watch a video of our visit!

It is with my most utmost privilege and honor to announce that The New York Hall of Science has won an international video contest sponsored by TANDBERG, the leading global provider of telepresence and high-definition video conferencing solutions. The event was held at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando over the weekend of March 28th-29th.

The Hall’s “Video Champion of the Year” submission, which may be viewed below, showcases the use of virtual visits that enable participants from across the globe to connect, interact and learn science lessons. The video shows instructors teaching different lessons, such as the phases of matter, dissection of a cow’s eye, and the science of sports.

An independent panel of judges selected winners in five categories amongst all companies and organizations currently utilizing video conferencing in the United States and Canada. First selected the Education/Training Content Provider category winner, the Hall’s video went on to take the overall “Video Champion of the Year” award as the winner from the five categories with the best approach to achieving distinctive results through the use of video.

“The energy and enthusiasm of the video communications community continues to inspire us,” said Chris Lawrence, the senior manager of the Hall’s Digital Learning Department. “We are thankful to TANDBERG for this recognition.”

*Click on this link to view our submission video.

*See a short clip highlighting our the award ceremony and our visit to The Orlando Science Center.

Download