Emerging+Tech+Jan+08

Key issues discussed: • Digital Video challenge for February 2009 - how will school districts be prepared for the move to digital transmission of all cable, satellite and other forms of broadcast media? Norton Gusky (Fox Chapel Area) suggested that the key may be regional collaboration so each district does not need to restructure their current analog distribution systems. • Regional Collaboration -- what are some possible ways that school districts can work together to solve common problems? ⁃ Aileen Owens (Mt. Lebanon) suggested that districts could work on curriculum mapping and share the expertise of a national expert over the regional wide area network now under development. ⁃ Josh Weaver (Hampton ) suggested regional collaborative digital competitions. Instead of students needing to travel to competitions, such as the Rube Goldberg Invention gathering, students could share work virtually saving time and money. ⁃ Linda Mancini (New Castle) brought up the issue of smaller districts gaining access to new resources found in larger districts. She also suggested that programs, like the Blue Ridge Alternative Schools, could be shared rather than having each school district offer their own program. ⁃ Ellen Ruckert (Ellwood City) outlined how the Beaver County Initial Choice program allows students to take courses in neighboring school districts. Norton suggested with the development of the Regional Wide Area Network (RWAN) that will link school districts there will be elearning opportunities to share courses. Norton shared how Quaker Valley is using the e-learning opportunities through APEX and school programs such as Lower Merion who will offer Arabic online. Norton added that new technologies, such as Cisco's Telepresence, will make virtual learning seem more natural and real. ⁃ Linda Mancini (New Castle) raised the possibility of providing new opportunities for 'gifted' students. • Online Courses - what will the regional wide-area network bring that is not available at the present time? Bryan Black (South Fayette) outlined some of the possibilities through the Internet 2 and the [|MAGPI] project at Drexel University. Norton added that each school district will have its own direct connection to Internet2 as part of the RWAN under development through each IU. Bryan explained that the connection actually will go to the SuperComputing Center that that is linked to Carnegie Mellon University. Bryan related idea of students observing a surgery and then having a meeting with the surgeon via Internet2. Norton outlined the use of an electron microscope as part of an Internet2 activity.