Testimonials (12/8/06): Last night after school, a few science teachers gathered to watch an incredible use of technology...we partook in a video conference which ...(more)

Autopsy (COSI) || Elephant Seals || Free Software || COSI || Holocaust Survivors || Etiquette

Electronic Education (video conferencing) w/ COSI Center of Science & Industry (COSI) in Columbus Ohio. COSI Reservations (video conferencing) COSI homepage Video Conference Options with COSI (lesson plans included): COSI's Autopsy COSI's Surgical Suite Open Heart Surgery Knee Replacement Gadget Works (simple machines, Gr 2-6) Experts (gr K-12)

Rodriguez High students closely listening to Dr. Tate (pathologist) as he descibes the autopsy (03/21/07)

	Autopsy with Center of Science & Industry (COSI) Over 100 students interacted with Dr. Tate while he described and answered questions about an Autopsy during a video conference with the Center of Science and Industry (Columbus, Ohio). Garnet Rogers (Science teacher) led three classes in this engaging event, March 2007.
Image of a brain during Autopsy. This technique is known as loafing. Courtesy of COSI.

Free Polycom Software (KIDS Program) The K12HSN (K-12 High Speed Network) Interactive Desktop Solution (KIDS) is a new program that allows teachers to receive free video conference software once 5 hours of online training is completed. Purchase of a standard USB camera (~ $50-80) is the only additional item needed. For more information, go to: http://www.k12hsn.org/conferencing/training/kids.php. Those interested in participating should download an application. There may be a size limit so make sure to apply asap! If you have questions, please email Jon Little (EdTech) or the K12HSN office (vcsupport@K12hsn.org)

Ed Tech: Video Conferencing with Elephant Seals

Tolenas' students discussing Elephant Seals with Park Ranger Jeff Barnes (Ano Nuevo State Park). Team Day 2007 at Tolenas.

On Wednesday, March 28th and Thursday, March 29th, Dionne Nelloms and upper elementary students from Tolenas, video conferenced with Jeff Barnes about Elephant Seals. This was Tolenas' first Team Day (students choose their unit of study: robots, video conference with Elephant Seals, etc.). For more information on the Elephant Seal Unit, go to the California State Parks PORTS page.

On Thursday, Dec. 7th (2006) Dawn Kasperson brought her 7th grade middle school science class to Ano Nuevo State park to visit elephant seals. Our maiden voyage last year (2005) took four middle school teachers and their 7th grade students to Ano Nuevo State Park to learn about the Northern Elephant Seal. At each of the four middle schools, students conversed with a state park ranger over 100 miles away as they answered and asked questions regarding the seal's evolutionary history and its adaptations. For more information on the Elephant Seal Unit and its correlation with the 7th grade California science content standards, go to the California State Parks PORTS page.

Students on the edge of their seats listening to ranger Jeff Barnes (Ms. Conover's room, Grange Middle School).	Ms. Conover's 7th grade science class conversing with a State Park Ranger.

Press: Elephant Seals

Julie Kay, Staff Writer for Vacaville's Reporter wrote "Tech Trips". It was the lead story on 12/04/05 Sunday's paper. It can be found at TheReporter.com or by clicking here.

Stephanie Jucar, Staff Writer for Fairfield's Daily Republic also wrote an article about video conferencing at FSUSD. This article, titled "Kids get science lesson via video conferencing" can be accessed by logging in at http://local.dailyrepublic.net/login.php and then searching for the title.

Video Conference with Center of Science & Industry (COSI)

On Decemeber 7th, FSUSD teachers and teachers from all over California video conferenced with the Center of Science and Industry (Columbus, Ohio). The workshop included: Gadget Works Program (taking apart happy crabs) Surgical Suite (Open Heart and Total Knee replacement and Autopsy program) For more on the video conference with CTAP 4 (California Assistance Program 4) go to: http://www.ctap4.org/video/ To learn about the video conference options at COSI (Columbus), go to: http://www.cosi.org/educators/education-programs/electronic-education/ To make a reservation with COSI (Columbus), go to: https://education.cosi.org/eers/ To view a flyer of the event, click here. This virtual trip was made possible with support from EdTech, IT, CTAP 4, and the Center of Science and Industry.

Video Conferencing with Holocaust Survivors

Educational Technology has made its second successful trip into the world of video conferencing. Over 100 students from Karen Sprowles' 8th grade English class at Grange Middle School had a conversation with two Holocaust Survivors from the Museum of Tolerance (Elane Geller and Cathy Weiss) on Monday, February 28, 2006.

This program, utilizing high-tech equipment given to the district from CTAP 4, stimulated students' higher order thinking skils & independent inquiry. Students prepared for the video conference by reading "The Diary of Anne Frank" that followed a unit template developed by Karen Sprowles (standards included). In addition, teachers can use United Streaming video clips to further enhance instruction before and after the video conference. To view the EdTech created assignment for 8th grade students, go to: United Streaming Holocaust Survivor Assignment.

You can find out about many more future EdTech voyages at future trips for teachers, administration, and learn about the people that made this a reality.

Elane Geller talks to Grange middle school students via Video Conferencing. Photo credit to The Reporter, Vacaville, CA.

Press: Holocaust Survivors Julie Kay, Staff Writer for Vacaville's Reporter wrote an excellent article on February 28, 2006 titled: "From high-tech to Holocaust". Stephanie Jucar, Staff Writer for Fairfield's Daily Republic wrote "Holocaust survivor talks to middle school students" on February 28, 2006. This article can be accessed by logging in at http://local.dailyrepublic.net/login.php and then searching for the title.

EdTech: Contact

Educational Technology Office
Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District
1975 Pennsylvania Avenue
Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 399-5006

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Since March 3, 2006.