For more information about the MACUL Conference, visit the MACUL web site.

Wednesday Preconference Workshop
Sue Porter, Distance Learning Coordinator, Kent ISD
Janine Lim, Instructional Technology Consultant, Berrien County ISD.

Connecting and Learning: Using Your Codec to Enhance Your Curriculum
Thornapple Room
Kent I.S.D.
2930 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids
Wednesday, March 6, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

Learn many exciting educational opportunities available via video conferencing. See how to use the web and print to communicate program information and encourage district participation. Learn how to correlate many programs to the Michigan Curriculum Framework. Get the scoop on exciting projects happening around Michigan.

Thursday Events

Project ASK: A Unique Curriculum Based Distance Learning Project
10:00-11:00 a.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Projects
Arnie Comer, Distance Learning Manager, Macomb ISD
Jim Wenzloff, Interactive Learning Consultant, Macomb ISD
Dr. Raymond Kettle, Professor, University of Michigan, Dearborn

Learn how you can use compressed video to enhance the study of literature. Project ASK (Authors, Specialist and Knowledge) empowers students in grades 4-12 to interview authors and specialist after following a reading and journal writing process using video connections. We will connect to educators who have participated in past ASK programs.

Video Conferencing Made Easy
11:30-12:30
TWICE Focus Area: Technical Support
Dave Caruso, URS Corporation Grand Rapids, Michigan

I see you and hear you. You see me and hear me. Here is the what and the how. Types of equipment: costs, installation, configuration. Here is the who, when, where, and why of conferencing into your classroom and planning activities

Interactive - The Key Word in ITV
1:00-2:00 p.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Shared Classes
Norm Neher, Coordinator, Instructional Media and Technology, Midland Public Schools

A live link between participants and a Midland Public Schools ITV class will allow attendees to hear about a new ITV program from three different perspectives. Administrators, teachers, and students will discuss their perception of how this first year has gone – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

A Video Interactive Trip to the Cincinnati Zoo
2:30-3:30 p.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Field Trips
Ric Kienbaum, Distance Education Coordinator and Julie McGaw, Building Technologist, Portage Public Schools

Come join us on a trip to the Cincinnati Zoo. We will look at all that goes into a distance education field trip and some options for districts that are thinking of starting a program.

Maintaining Professional Development Standards through Videoconferencing
4:00-5:00 p.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Professional Development
Jeff Good, ONE Program Manager, Oakland Schools New Media

A network connecting 28 school districts requires constant staff development training. The Oakland Network for Education (ONE) shares its past year of developing staff utilizing videoconferencing.

Friday Events

TWICE Breakfast Meeting
7:00-8:00 a.m.
Join the TWICE Coordinating Team for an informational and organizational meeting.

Meeting the Needs of Gifted 8th Graders with "Distance Learning"
8:30-9:30 a.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Shared Classes/Projects
Greta Erm, Director, REMC #1 Hancock

Learn how several small districts in the Upper Peninsula use interactive television, other technologies, and local history to meet the needs of gifted 8th grade students. Teachers will be able to adapt the curriculum content and delivery system detailed in this presentation for use in their own classrooms.

Seeing, Hearing, and Visiting Michigan Interactively: The Michigan Collaborative
10:00-11:00 a.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Projects
Debbie Glasgow, Technology Coordinator, Midland County Educational Services Agnecy
Barbara LaBeau, Project 2000 Technology Consultant, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools

Enhance the study of Michigan in your classroom through participation in the Michigan Collaborative project. Session attendees will receive an overview of the Michigan Week interactive video project, and learn how their classroom can become involved. Attendees will also experience an interactive video presentation by students involved in the project.

Distance Learning with the Columbus Zoo
11:30-12:30
TWICE Focus Area: Field Trips
Jerry Allen, Technology Curriculum Consultant, Chippewa Valley Schools

Watch as elementary students interact with zoo specialists and learn about the West Indian Manatee. We will have a live connection with the staff at the Columbus Zoo and find out what programs they offer. At the end of the session we will show you how to use the TWICE database to search for distance learning activities and how to join the TWICE listserv.

Getting the Wiggles Out
1:00-2:00 p.m.
TWICE Focus Area: Field Trips
Sue Porter, Distance Learning Coordinator, Kent ISD

Preparing students to interact over two-way audio/video distance learning is an important part of a successful connection. Join us as we demonstrate the steps in preparing for the "field trip", and then connect to COSI Toledo for a science lesson.

Videoconference equipment for these sessions graciously provided by Innovative Communications, Inc.