Through the combined efforts of the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Tri-Valley Distance Education Consortium, ESU 7, 10, and 11, and K-12 teachers, the ‘Syncing It All together’ project will take advantage of greater bandwidth within our schools to implement innovative synchronous (realtime communication) and asynchronous (time delayed communication) technologies.

The primary objective of this distance education based project is “To extend the digital curriculum in and out of the classroom through multiple delivery methods - both synchronous and asynchronous.

During the course of the project, 35 teachers will be able to realize many benefits. The primary benefit will be the opportunity to work with both synchronous and asynchronous technologies which can immediately be implemented into their classroom in 2004-05. Benefits include:

• access to desktop conferencing hardware supported through a laptop computer.
  
• understanding and experience using the TVDEC synchronous network
  
• access to enrichment lessons created by participating teachers using synchronous technology
  
• training on strategies of instruction using synchronous and asynchronous technology
  
• access to web-based course management software and instructional design training support (Blackboard)

In addition to the 35 teachers involved in the initial summer training, an additional 145 teachers from the participating schools will be provided training with resources to support web-based management (blackboard) software into their classes.


What are the educational benefits for the school and participant?

• Each district will get a minimum of $750 toward the purchase of desktop conferencing software or hardware. Desktop conferencing would provide a limited portable distance education lab.
  • Allow enrichment lessons to be presented from the classroom.
  • Allow school to receive more then one class at a time.
• Five instructors within each district would have use of and training on the course management program of Blackboard for the 2004-05 school year.
  • More closer to a digital curriculum.
  • Access to additional video resources taking advantage of extra bandwidth.
• Substitute reimbursement would be available to each district for the September training for the district Blackboard lead teacher.
• The districts three day summer participant will receive a $300 stipend.

What are the district responsibilities?

• Submit an application to participate by May 15, 2004.
• A certified staff member must participate in the summer time training - July 13-15. (The district will be charged $30 for materials and meals for the staff participant.)
  • The district and staff member option is
    • to participate in the entire 3 day synchronous/asynchronous project (July 13 - 15) or
    • participate in the 1 day asynchronous project. (July 13)
• The summer participant would be allowed to attend the September training update.
• The district would look to identify up to 4 additional instructors who would be interested in training and use of Blackboard.
• In the event that the district wishes to participate in the entire project, additional funds may be needed from the district toward the purchase of desktop conferencing equipment.
  

Application Form - Submit by May 1, 2004