videoconferencing


 * **Binghamton City School District Foundation****Grant Application**
 * July 2008**

Through this project we hope to open doors of opportunity for our students who may not have the chance to explore and experience situations existing outside their own vicinity. The short-term goal is to initiate communication within the Binghamton City School District community, expose students to their peers in other neighborhoods and explore resources through the cutting-edge technology of electronic videoconferencing. In doing so, we would accomplish our long-term goal of using technology to "flatten" the world through development of global communication. This would expose elementary students to a learning environment and technology that will be used when they reach the high school.
 * 1. What is the specific goal of the project?**

> 3**. How will the project enhance the quality of education in the Binghamton City School District?** The project will connect students from different elementary schools. Step-by-step, the students will become aware of the fact that, while they may be attending a different school than the one on the other side of the videoconference, many similarities exist that will help the district become a unified entity. It will help them learn to communicate globally and increase background knowledge by exposing them to new experiences beyond their neighborhoods. The project will provide authentic reading and writing experiences, enable opportunities for collaboration among the members of the BCSD community, and expose students to students of other ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, students will become acquainted with technologies that are the tools of the future, put these technologies to use, learn to collaborate on a project, and broaden their experiences through contact with other schools locally, nationally and internationally. Possibilities for international communication could include Binghamton's sister city, Borovichi, Russia, or even a partner school in China.
 * 2. Describe the project and the plans for implementation.** The grantor will provide the equipment and training needed to establish a video/audio connection between two BCSD schools. This will allow the students to participate in shared learning, collaborative instruction and interactive experiences. The project will eventually widen to include other participating BOCES schools and virtual field trips that are available through a variety of resources. An additional aspiration is to broaden the project to include worldwide communication among students, and to strengthen the ties that have already been established by the City and the School District. The equipment purchased will allow groups of students from two schools to visually communicate, share curriculum, and experience e-learning opportunitities through virtual field trips. The plan is to: # purchase all needed equipment
 * 1) install and connect all necessary equipment and software
 * 2) train teachers
 * 3) select curriculum goals and projects
 * 4) choose students or student groups
 * 5) train student participants
 * 6) begin project

Initially, as we become familiar with the technology, the number of teachers and staff involved will be limited to those in one classroom in each of two schools. We will begin with one pilot group of 4 teachers and 50 students, and will extend to the entire schools' population of approximately 800 students and 60 teachers. The project will expand exponentially as students from local schools are provided with distance learning opportunities. These will become increasingly available and necessary in the world community. Therefore, as the ability to use this technology increases, more students from many different schools and countries will participate.
 * 4. How many students, staff and teachers will be involved in the project?**

As this project develops, the students will benefit from exposure to:* teachers with different teaching styles
 * 5. Will the project have long-term benefits for Binghamton students and educators?**
 * teachers with different background knowledge
 * team teaching by instruction from varied locations
 * students and teachers with different viewpoints
 * collaborative projects with students - at first locally and, ultimately, nationally and internationally
 * worldwide travel through video fieldtrips
 * fast-growing technology that has been and will become essential tools for communication and collaboration in our ever-flattening global e conomy

An incidental result of the project will be the continuity achieved when students are able to meet and collaborate with their peers from other elementary schools before their entrance to middle school. This is expanded when the project reaches out to the national and international partners. Teachers will benefit from:
 * exposure to new technologies which will eventually need to be taught to students prior to entering the working world.
 * the opportunity to learn and experiment with this equipment, putting them far and above other teachers in the area.
 * the chance to become a leader and example for other schools in the BOCES district through instructing our students to use future technologies
 * allowing the s tudents to instruct their teachers and peers
 * the tools and training needed to teach the students to use the technology responsibly, effectively and in a meaningful way
 * the enthusiasm generated by participating students and teachers
 * collaboration with teachers with different teaching methods and levels of experience

The District will benefit by achieving status as a premier educational institution when recommending our students to higher educational institutions and future employers.

Each project assessed individually. Students will be expected to learn to use technology responsibly and effectively, to learn the technique of collaboration from virtual interactions and to retain information gained.
 * 6.** **How will the success of the project be monitored?**

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"> The project will utlimately be deemed successful if it is used often and effectively by the teachers and students. As librarians, it is our responsibility to provide resources and learning opportunities to the school community. If these opportunities are used to enhance the learning environment, the project will have accomplished its goals. **//7.//** **Is funding being sought form other sources for this project? If yes, please list the sources and, if applicable, include any in-kind donations.** Other funding sources will be explored to expand this project if this grant is awarded. Included in, but not limited to, the possibilities are: * the annual BOCES technology grant and corporate grants
 * Rubrics, pre- and post-test and/or survey would be used to assess knowledge gained.
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Conversations between and among the conferees will be monitored by teachers for evidence of progress and information retained
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Teachers will be encouraged to assess their own learning during the development of collaborative projects.
 * <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Immediate feedback from experts and peers will provide real-time assessment, so that students will personally recognize their successes
 * DonorsChoose.org, a philanthropic organization which has provided materials and equipment to our schools in the past
 * Verizon Foundation Grant
 * NEA Foundation Innovation Grant
 * State Farm K-12 Public Schools Foundation Grant
 * Texas Instruments Foundation Grant
 * Sprint Foundation Grant
 * National Science Foundation Discovery Research funding
 * Department of Education Enhancing Education through Technology Grant, or Technology Literacy Challenge Fund

With additional funding, the project could be expanded to include more participants, opportunities for face-to-face meetings with collaborating teachers and classes, continuing purchases of the latest versions of equipment, and financing of video fieldtrips. After the project has launched, we hope to continue to expand it through awards and grants mentioned above, and additionally to apply for awards such as: The district will provide smartboards, projectors and computers as well as physical space for the project and training opportunities. BOCES will provide our initial training in both the use of the equipment and the possibilities that exist through its use.
 * Cable's Leaders in Learning Award
 * GSN Online Shared Learning Award

A quote provided by one provider, LifeSize Communications, is as follows:
 * 8. Itemized budget**:


 * Two basic video conferencing units. A quote provided LifeSize Video Portfolio model LifeSize Express, which is the company's baseline model, without the educational discount or the State contract price, is $4,999 per building. See attached.


 * Two 40" HDTVs, one for each participating building. An example as provided by Circuit City.com is priced at $1299 per unit. Once again, the price quoted is not the State contract price for a similar item. See attached.


 * 9. List other pertinent information about the proposed project not covered in questions 1-8, including references, letters of supports (sic) and other supplemental materials needed to describe products or program purchases**. (Please attach separately)

Please see attached//.//


 * 10. Give an outline of a work plan and timetable below, with project milestones and estimated dates of completion of each phase**.

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">**September 2008**- purchase and installation of equipment at both sites, preparation for communication. Selection of teachers/students for inclusion in the project. Training for teachers and students. Decision about subject of collaborative project. **October - December** -- Videoconferencing/conversation established between Horace Mann and Theodore Roosevelt elementary schools
 * January - April** - Collaboration between Mann and Roosevelt on project determined above.
 * April - June** - Launch Virtual Field Trip with both schools


 * September 2009** - reestablishment of project; choice of participants
 * October - December 2009** - Videoconference/conversation initiated
 * January 2010** - Collaboration between groups
 * April 2010** - addition of videoconferencing with international partner


 * 11. Could you carry out this project if full funding were not available? If so, indicate how you would proceed at 75% and 50% funding**.

The money requested in this application includes the basics needed for the project - the purchase of two videoconferencing units and two high-definition televisions. Each piece of equipment is a necessary element of the project. Use of less-expensive technology has higher learning curve, is less reliable and has poorer video definition and audio quality. The equipment requested through this project is a natural progression from the older technology to the new; it allows the schools to access the bank of virtual field trips that are avialble through BOCES, and to connect with a larger audience. It will allow for a better quality, resulting in a less frustrating experience for all of the participant//s.// It includes a picture-in-picture capability so participants can see themselves as well as their counterparts. It also provides, unlike the previously generation equipment, the vehicle through which video fieldtrips are accessed.

__**Signature of Teacher Sponsor:**__ **_** __**Signature of Planning Team:**__ **_**
 * All grant applications must have concurrence from a principal or school administrator. If grant applicant is a student, he/she must have a teacher co-signer and sponsor.**
 * Signature of Principal/**
 * Central Administrator: _**
 * ___**
 * //Return all grant materials to your principal prior to the deadline of July 31, 2008 at noon.//**
 * //Remember to submit ten (10) copies of your completed application and any related materials.//** || [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/_/2008061300/i/c.gif width="1" height="600"]] ||  ||
 * [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/_/2008061300/i/bBL.gif width="8" height="8"]] |||| [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/_/2008061300/i/c.gif width="1" height="1"]] || [[image:http://www.wikispaces.com/_/2008061300/i/bBR.gif width="8" height="8"]] ||

The short-term goal is to initiate communication among Binghamton students, expose students to students in other communities and explore resources through the cutting-edge technology of electronic videoconferencing. Through this project we hope to open doors of opportunity for our students who may not have the chance to explore and experience situations existing outside their own neighborhoods. In doing so, we would accomplish our long-term goal of using technology to "flatten" the world through development of global communication among students.
 * 1. What is the specific goal of the project?**

The project will connect two BCSD schools, allowing the students to be aware of other neighborhoods and students in the district. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">The project will eventually widen to include other participating BOCES schools and virtual field trips. An additional aspiration is to broaden the project to include worldwide communication among students.
 * 2. Describe the project and the plans for implementation.**

3**. How will the project enhance the quality of education in the Binghamton City School District?** //T//he project will connect students from different elementary schools. Step-by-step, the students will become aware of the fact that, while they may be attending a different school than the one on the other side of the videoconference, many similarities exist that will help the district become a unified entity. It will help them learn to communicate globally and increase background knowledge by exposing them to new experiences beyond their neighborhoods.The project will provide authentic reading and writing experiences, enable opportunities for collaboration among the members of the BCSD community, and expose students to students of other ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, students will become acquainted with technologies that are the tools of the future, put these technologies to use, learn to collaborate on a project, and broaden their experiences through contact with other schools locally, nationally and internationally. Possibilities for international communication could include Binghamton's sister city, Borovichi, Russia, or even a partner school in China.

Initially, as we become familiar with the technology, the number of teachers and staff involved will be limited to those in one classroom in each of two schools. We will begin with one pilot group of 4 teachers and 80 students, and will expand to include the entire schools' population of approximately 800 students and 60 teachers. Eventually, the project will expand annually and for many years as more students from many different schools and countries participate.
 * 4. How many students, staff and teachers will be involved in the project?**

As this project develops, the students will benefit from exposure to:
 * 5. Will the project have long-term benefits for Binghamton students and educators?**
 * teachers with different teaching styles
 * teachers with different background knowledge
 * team teaching by instruction from varied locations
 * students and teachers with different viewpoints
 * collaborative projects with students - at first locally and, ultimately, nationally and internationally
 * travel worldwide through video fieldtrips
 * fast-growing technology that has been and will become essential tools for communication and collaboration in our ever-flattening global e conomy

<span style="color: rgb(3, 3, 3)">An incidental result of the project will be the continuity achieved when students are able to meet and collaborate with their peers from other elementary schools before their entrance to middle school. This is expanded when the project reaches out to the national and international partners. Teachers will benefit from:
 * exposure to new technologies which will eventually need to be taught to students prior to entering the working world.
 * the opportunity to learn and experiment with this equipment, putting them far and above other teachers in the area.
 * the chance to become a leader and example for other schools in the BOCES district through instructing our students to use future technologies
 * <span style="color: rgb(58, 4, 4)">allowing the s<span style="color: rgb(0, 18, 255)">tudents to instruct their teachers and peers
 * <span style="color: rgb(58, 4, 4)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 18, 255)">the opportunity to teach the students to use the technology responsibly and effectively in a meaningful way
 * <span style="color: rgb(58, 4, 4)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 18, 255)">the enthusiasm generated by participating students and teachers
 * <span style="color: rgb(58, 4, 4)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 18, 255)">collaboration with teachers with different teaching methods and levels of experience

The District will benefit by achieving status as a premier educational institution when recommending our students to higher educational institutions and future employers.

Each project assessed individually. Students will be expected to learn to use technology responsibly and effectively, to learn collaboration from interactions and to retain information gained. Rubrics, pre- and post-test and/or survey would be used to assess knowledge gained. <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">Conversations between and among the conferees will be monitored. Teachers will be encouraged to assess their own learning during the development of collaborative projects. The project will be deemed successful if it is used often and effectively by the teachers and students. As librarians, it is our responsibility to provide resources and learning opportunities to the school community. If these opportunities are used to enhance the learning environment, the project will have accomplished its goals.
 * 6.** **How will the success of the project be monitored?**


 * //7.//** **Is funding being sought form other sources for this project? If yes, please list the sources and, if applicable, include any in-kind donations.**

Other funding sources will be explored if this grant is awarded. **Included in the possibilities are the annual BOCES technology grant and corporate grants.** With additional funding, the project could be expanded to include more participants, opportunities for face-to-face meetings with collaborating teachers and classes, continuing purchases of the latest versions of the technological components, and financing of video fieldtrips.<span style="color: rgb(0, 25, 255)">

**The d**istrict will provide smartboard and computers**;** BOCES will provide our training in both the use of the equipment and the possibilities that exist through its use.

Maybe we can use the Verizon Foundation Grant -- It is for literacy, but we can call it technology literacy or future literacy...http://foundation.verizon.com/grant/example_education.shtml


 * 8. Itemized budget**: Two polycom units (or some other manufacturer), two _ " HDTV's <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)"><span style="color: rgb(73, 255, 0)"> //we''ll wait to get specific specs from the guy//

//Can we get something form Michelle stating how relevant and useful the video conferencing is,and how it can only be done with the one piece of equipment? Maybe something from JC about how valuable the equipment is?// //Quotes from schools who are participating? Statistics showing that everyone is jumping on the bandwagon but us??// //How it supports IB and other currently hip programs?// <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">**I'm sure that Nino Samiani at JCMS would be an invaluable source person; I'm happy to contact him. Also, I'm sure that Michelle would be helpful; it's probably to her advantage to have this type of program expand.** Once again, I'm frustrated about lack of gw communication!
 * 9. List other pertinent information about the proposed project not covered in questions 1-8, including references, letters of supports (sic) and other supplemental materials needed to describe products or program purchases**. (Please attach separately)
 * 10. Give an outline of a work plan and timetable below, with project milestones and estimated dates of completion of each phase**.

//<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">September - purchase and installation of equipment at both sites, preparation for communication. Selection of teachers/students for inclusion in the project. Training for teachers and students. Decision about subject of collaborative project. October - December -- Videoconferencing/conversation established between Horace Mann and Theodore Roosevelt elementary schools January - April - Collaboration between Mann and Roosevelt// on project determined above.

September 2009 - continuation of communication between the two schools, using a different group of students October - December 2009 - Videoconference/conversation established January 2010 Collaboration between groups April 2010 - addition of videoconferencing with international partner


 * 11. Could you carry out this project if full funding were not available? If so, indicate how you would proceed at 75% and 50% funding**.

The money requested in this application includes the basics needed for the project - the purchase of two videoconferencing units and two high-definition televisions. Each piece of equipment is a necessary element of the project. Other, less-expensive technology been used in a similar project by a teacher at Horace Mann, using a comparatively primitive technology to connect her class with a class in New Zealand. The cheaper equipment consisted of a webcam and a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) connection. Her method has a higher learning curve, is less reliable and has poorer video definition and audio quality. The equipment requested through this project is a natural progression from the older technology to the new. It will allow for a better quality, less frustrating experience for all of the participant//s.// It includes a picture-in-picture capability so participants can see themselves as well as their counterparts. It also provides, unlike the previous equipment, the vehicle through which video fieldtrips are accessed.

Here are some other videoconferencing units -- I will call for prices asap...

//http://www.lifesize.com/documents/pdf/LifeSize_Brochure_8.5x11.pdf http://www.ivci.com/videoconferencing_tandberg.html// http://www.ivci.com/videoconferencing_sony.html Compares different options and prices: [|shopper.cnet.com/4566-3503_9-0.html] "<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153)"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">**School Districts can participate in an Exclusive Agreement with AT&Tand CSD, that provides Polycom and Tandberg Videoconferencing equipment at Special School Discounts. <span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 153)"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> **  //**Call for a Customized Solution & Pricing! (This looks interesting.) (Prices range from $4000 to $50,000 for a basic codec to a complete custom room integration.)** //[|www2.csd.org/newlinks/Purchasevc.htm]

This page answers many questions about the equipment from United Visual: http://unitedvisual.com/2tips/2tvcf101.asp This one talks about what is needed and who has what: http://[|www.tkoworks.com/video-conferencing/equipment/index.html] and this one talks about Videoconferencing in education: http://[|www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/vidconf/equipment.html]