November 2006
Teachers build their own videoconference portal - new resource for schools
A new web portal is helping Ontario K-12 teachers who are looking for help and resources to introduce videoconferencing in the classroom.
Launched earlier this year, the new InteractiveClassroom.ca site is becoming an important resource and central location for information, software, technology solutions and advice for teachers.
The service is offered by volunteers led a by a small group of Ontario-based K-12 videoconference champions who recognized the need for support among teachers.
Quentin D'Souza, a resource teacher in the Academic Information and Communication Technology Department with Toronto Catholic District School Board built the new portal with open source software, with the help of colleagues.
"It's important to get teachers talking together," he says, pointing out that the new portal helps the K-12 community build relationships among teaching and technology specialists.
Educators can use the site to organize local, national or international interactive distance learning projects. They can search through a collection of downloadable documentation, get technical assistance, or network with others that share similar interests through interactive forums, contacts database, and social networking tools.
It also features news feeds from around the world, and a links directory to help educators to find current videoconference events and information.
The new portal targets both educators who are just beginning to experiment with using videoconferencing in their classrooms and those who have been using interactive distance learning for years.
"These resources can make a big difference for an educator who may not be aware of all the resources or projects that are available to them," says Quentin.
For instance, the new portal features links and contact information for new initiatives designed to support K-12 teachers, such as the CRC's VirtualClassroom Project, or the Forensic DNA initiative at the Ontario Science Centre, or the new Cross-Canada Fiddle Project.
Working with Quentin on the portal are Del Schmucker, Information Systems Manager Keewatin-Patricia District School Board in Kenora; David Nash, Polycom Territory Manager for Ontario and Manitoba; and Perry Cavarzan, with the Information and Communication Technology and Broad Based Technology unit, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.
The group, which also holds information workshops, is hosting its next forum at the Toronto Catholic board offices on Dec. 7. The session will explore collaborations among school boards and consider joint projects for the second semester and beyond. Scheduled to present are speakers from content providers with examples of programs that can be offered in class, as well as educators who have implemented videoconferencing in their classroom.
Learn more at www.InteractiveClassroom.ca.
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