Partnerships, Collaboration, and
Coordination:
Summaries of Plans and Strategies
Corporation for Educational Communications (CEC)
(8/98)
Contact: Ruth Blankenbaker, Executive Director (www.cilc.org)
DESCRIPTION
Distance Learning will become increasingly important to schools in the first years of the 21st century. In its many forms, schools will be able to access additional resources, and at the same time share the discovery, learning, and excitement of instructional video. Whether event-based, on-demand, or ad hoc, the use of instructional video will require that hardware be put in place, that networks exist at various levels, and that teachers be trained to used the resource and to develop new ones.
Tackling the many tasks involved in making distance learning a valuable tool will require partnerships with private sector groups as well as public sector agencies. It will also require tapping all available resources in a total quest for excellence.
A primary partner in this arena is the Corporation for Educational Communications (CEC). Responsible for operating the Vision Athena project, CEC has accumulated experience with and knowledge about distance learning systems, networks, content development, and teaching professionals. Working with Ameritech and its AAVS network, CEC has demonstrated a capability to make a difference in the classroom and in the school. The Corporation for Educational Communications' (CEC) mission is to "Bring the World to the Classroom and Take the Classroom to the World -- For Discovery with Purpose."
CEC is a non profit organization providing grants to K-12 schools, universities, healthcare facilities and informal education entities in the Ameritech service territory for interactive video distance learning. The Vision Athena Program funds grants for development of instructionally sound content and resources for schools. CEC funded Distance Learning Coordinators, operating out of Indiana's nine (9) Education Service Centers, to: 1) support schools in the planning stages and in preparation for distance learning; 2) train teachers to effectively integrate distance learning into the curriculum, and 3) help implement distance learning technology in schools.
CURRENT/RECOMMENDED DIRECTIONS
Planning
Coordinate planning and work with schools as they implement distance learning technologies
Connectivity
Ameritech's AAVS is a switched, interactive, full motion video service that allows users to connect in point to point or point to multipoint modes. Through gateways in AAVS, users can connect to H.320 (Digital compressed), satellite, or other full motion networks.
Hardware
Grants to schools which provide:
a) Ameritech fiber to the schools at no charge for;
b) Distance Learning hardware, wiring, and a three (3) year maintenance and support package (with 800 help desk) (Schools, in return, commit to a network usage contract for full-motion , interactive video, from any vendor.)
Content
Grants up to $50,000 are available for entities who agree to develop educationally sound content which extends, augments, expands ad/or creates learning experiences not otherwise available to schools. Online content schedules are available at the CEC website. Also, there is a large amount of content that has resulted from distance learning efforts by schools.
Professional Development
Training opportunities are available through the Distance Learning Coordinators and are designed to give educators a way to experience effective ways that distance learning can be used to enhance learning of students.
Teachers in schools that wish to participate in distance learning activities may work with DLCs to be eligible for university credit, training, and curriculum development grants. (Grants range from $150-$5000 depending on the need, complexity, depth, and breadth of the grant request.
Evaluation
CEC collects data on all of its activities and also talks to teachers regularly to determine how Distance Learning makes a difference in the classroom.
DELIVERABLES
Participate in creating the vision and objectives needed for distance learning to be effective throughout the state;
Promote distance learning in all of its forms throughout the state of Indiana, with schools, libraries, and other public sector groups;
Develop and implement effective training models for teachers and administrators in the use of distance learning;
Develop information for the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy to be used in academy sessions directed at acquainting principals with the benefits of distance learning;
Work together to see that each ESC region has at least two (2) distance learning coordinators whose job it will be to work with teachers and schools within that region to enhance distance learning opportunities for students;
Develop and share content and applications with schools statewide;
Promote and develop distance learning content that reaches out to parents and community in an effort to keep them better informed and more up to date on important happenings in their children's schools;
Participate in the activities of the Professional Development Council as formed by the Department of Education; and,
Participate in developing evaluation plans for evaluating the progress and the effectiveness of distance learning in Indiana.