Distance Learning

Downlink Site for Satellite Teleconferences

A teleconference is live, one-way interaction. You can both see and hear the far-end, however, they cannot see or hear you. You can participate by phoning or e-mailing questions to the presenter(s).

Information Services provides down linking for all teleconferences that are available through Distance Learning, Department of Education and PaTTAN - Pittsburgh.

Intermediate Unit 1 provides a meeting room and handouts, when provided, for all teleconferences. If you are unable to attend a teleconference you may obtain a copy by sending a blank videotape to Information Services. For more information please contact Barb Matola at 724-938-3241 ext. 241.

Online Classes

Information Services is currently involved with developing and delivering online courses that specifically relate to technology.

During the summer of 2004 Information Services held the cCTS - Core Teaching Skills Summer Academy with 79 participants.

"The Core Teaching skills program has been designed to provide a framework for to assist Pennsylvania teachers to design standards-based, technology-rich learning experiences for students. The goal of this program is to position teachers to use technology effectively in their classroom program, incorporating the established National Educational Technology Standards into lessons designed to meet PA Academic Standards.

"Participants will expand their comfort with various technology tools, and learn to integrate these tools into their curriculum. The expectation is that participants completing this program will take with them a framework for developing instructional activities, enhanced technology skills, and an ever-expanding set of tools and resources that can be transferred to other lesson designs in their curriculum.

"This program was developed through the collaborative efforts of the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The program is offered to Pennsylvania teachers by each Intermediate Unit." (http://www.coreteach.org)

The nine modules that make up Core Teaching Skills for an Information Age are as follows:

1. Considering Technology Integration
2. Planning a Unit of Instruction
3. Introduction to Online Instructional Activities
4. Creating Online Instructional Activities
5. Introduction to Digital Images
6. Creating Interactive Experiences
7. Exploring, Using, and Creating Instructional Spreadsheets
8. Instructional Databases: Developing Inquiry Skills
9. Evaluation and Sharing Learning Experiences

Video Conferencing

A video conference is live, two-way interaction (both video and voice). You see and hear the far-end and simultaneously you can be seen and heard. Quality is dependent upon connection speed.

IU1 maintains 3 Polycom units, which enables us to connect to video conferences through IP. We can connect to a video conference at a speed of 384K+. We are capable of connecting to I2.

We provide this service for video conferences that are available through distance learning, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, PaTTAN - Pittsburgh, PaTTAN - Harrisburg and PaTTAN - King of Prussia.

Anyone wishing to attend these video conferences must register through PaTTAN. Please contact Kristin Van Strien at 724-938-3241 ext. 244 for more information.