| |
Video conferencing in Education - Alvin ISD
Challenges/Goals
With a growing school district and heightened need for teachers, Alvin
Independent School District, of Alvin Texas was looking for a simplified
way to model teaching strategies and mentor new teachers in areas such
as mathematics, by sharing techniques and expertise on effectively managing
a classroom.
Solution
PowerPlay™ H.323, IP-Based Video conferencing enhanced features, cross-platform
solutions, and improved services allow Alvin ISD teachers to interconnect
classrooms within the same school and throughout the entire district on
demand to share lessons and courses alike.
Implementation
An eleven-unit PowerPlay™ system was implemented throughout the campuses,
along with simple, on-site training for teachers and staff on its operation.
Progress
Currently the system is in use at the High School as a mentoring tool
for new teachers in mathematics, with plans to roll out activation at
additional campuses and sites outside the district for field trips and
other learning opportunities throughout the year for the same purpose.
The High School's Mathematics department can now effectively train geographically
dispersed teachers throughout the school system without losing time. Algebra
teachers are now using video conferencing for collaboration, sending real-time
audio & video to classrooms so students and new teachers can observe,
learn and in some cases assist with classroom lessons.
Client Feedback
"PowerPlay™ is ideal for effective, synchronous distance learning.
The establishment of the PowerPlay™ video conferencing system demonstrates
our district's commitment to improve overall teaching instruction through
the use of technology. BNI Solutions provided us with a comprehensive
solution focused on the user experience, that allows us to continue to
keep pace with our ambitious technology goals. The eleven unit system
we implemented is easy to use and our teachers and staff are easily trained
on its operation."
Dr. Greg Smith, Superintendent, Alvin Independent Schools
"Overall I think the teachers that are using it are enjoying
it. Because it is a new technology, it is going to take time, and teachers
are going to have to change their way of teaching in order to make it
work. Next year, we will have a much stronger start as teachers now have
the equipment to practice with before school starts."
Kerri Neubauer, Instructional Technology Coordinator,
Alvin ISD
"As a teacher, I have enjoyed using the equipment and having
a vehicle to help more teachers and students."
Shary Horn, Lead Math Teacher, Alvin ISD
|
|
 Distance
Learning
High
Speed WANs
Private
CATV
|
"Overall I think the teachers
that are using it are enjoying it. Because it is a new technology,
it is going to take time, and teachers are going to have to change
their way of teaching in order to make it work. Next year, we will
have a much stronger start as teachers now have the equipment to
practice with before school starts."
Kerri Neubauer
Instructional Technology Coordinator,
Alvin Independent School District
"PowerPlay™ is ideal for effective, synchronous
distance learning. The establishment of the PowerPlay™ video conferencing
system demonstrates our districtıs commitment to improve overall
teaching instruction through the use of technology. BNI Solutions
provided us with a comprehensive solution focused on the user experience,
that allows us to continue to keep pace with our ambitious technology
goals. The eleven unit system we implemented is easy to use and
our teachers and staff are easily trained on its operation."
Dr. Grep Smith
Superintendent,
Alvin Independent School District
|
|
