VideoConferencing



//**Virtual Virginia Beach e-Learning**// is the online education presence of Virginia Beach City Public Schools. This solution offers Virginia Beach School's employees the ability to enroll in online professional development courses, provides professional communities a home for their online collaboration, as well as, an online program for students.

Students enrolled in this program are provided the opportunity to take a course from the convenience of their home, any day of the week, anytime of the day. Online courses require different skills and learning styles from traditional, face-to-face courses. For instance, students enrolled in an online course are responsible for scheduling their own "class time" and must have on-demand access to a computer, as well as high-speed Internet access. Motivation and self-discipline are essential for success in an online course.

Middle and high school students should enroll in online courses the same time they are registering for face-to-face courses. Currently, we are offering four (4) courses:
 * 1) Online Earth Science
 * 2) Online English 9
 * 3) Online Geometry
 * 4) Online VA and US Government

School Year 2009-2010:


 * 1) Online Algebra 1 *
 * 2) Online Earth Science*
 * 3) Online English 9*
 * 4) Online English 10*
 * 5) Online English 11*
 * 6) Online English 12*
 * 7) Online Geometry*
 * 8) Online VA and US Government*
 * 9) Online Health 8
 * 10) Online Health and PE 9
 * 11) Online Health and PE 10
 * 12) Online "Survival Economics"


 * Appears in the 2009-2010 Student Guide

The **//Quality Connection//** program provides instruction delivered through videoconferencing technology (two-way video/two-way audio). It is not intended to take the place of a live teacher, but it does level the scholastic playing field for all students. Classes that are not offered due to insufficient enrollment at one school can be made available to students through videoconferencing during the school day. **Quality Connection** affords teachers the opportunity to share their strengths system wide.

As of September 2009, every Virginia Beach middle and high school has been equipped with a videoconferencing lab. Current Technology Includes:

The technology chosen for each **Quality Connection** lab allows two-way, full duplex audio, and two-way, full motion video. All labs are equipped to originate as well as receive instruction. The equipment available in each lab includes:

//The// //**Videoconferencing On Wheels**// program provides videoconferencing mobile units that are available for checkout to all schools and departments throughout the Virginia Beach Schools system. These units allow live two-way video and audio connections, through the Internet, for virtual field trips, business meetings, and professional development events of many types. In addition, the V.O.W. (Videoconferencing On Wheels) units can connect any classroom in our schools to any of the Quality Connections Learning Labs in the High Schools and Middle Schools or any other classroom with a mobile unit in place. Connections of this kind make it possible to share virtual demonstrations, leadership events, guest speakers, or interviews.
 * A touchscreen that allows the teacher to manipulate cameras and microphones at all sending and receiving sites.
 * A teacher laptop computer that brings DVD's, instructional presentations, and the Internet to all sites.
 * A document camera that allows the instructor/student to broadcast:
 * 1) Pictures
 * 2) Slides
 * 3) X-rays
 * 4) 3-Dimensional objects
 * A scan converter that connects to:
 * 1) a laptop
 * 2) a graphing calculator
 * Two plasma television monitors at the front of the room that show images of the teacher's choosing:
 * 1) Instructor's computer screen
 * 2) Document camera image
 * 3) Shots from the instructor or student camera at any site
 * Student microphones that allow students to communicate with the touch of a button.

Currently, we have three (3) V.O.W. units available for checkout. Training with the equipment has been offered to all CRSs and LMSs. Teachers must go through their Educational Technology Team to coordinate the checkout of these units. The Distance Learning Team will deliver the equipment and provide technical assistance to the ETT.

//**Web conferencing**// is used to conduct live meetings or presentations via the Internet. In a web conference, each participant sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants via the internet. This can be either a downloaded application on each of the attendees computers or a web-based application where the attendees will simply enter a URL (website address) to enter the conference.

In VBSchools, we currently own licenses for Microsoft Office Live Meeting. If you are interested in conducting a web conference, you may contact our department to make arrangements for your event. An alternative to Microsoft Office Live Meeting is an open source (free) application called [|DimDim].

For additional information contact: //Department of Technology// **Bruce Harrison-Distance Learning Coordinator** E-mail: bruceb.harrison@vbschools.com **Kimberly F. Adams-Distance Learning Specialist** E-mail: kimberlyf.adams@vbschools.com Phone: 757-263-1100 Fax: 757-263-1661