White Mountains School Administrative Unit 35

Distance Learning at SAU 35

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2003 DISTANCE LEARNING REPORT

SUMMARY OF 2002-2003

So far this year, we have logged approximately 225 hours of use on the distance learning technology for instruction-related activity, staff development, and meetings. These activities included:

• Spanish I class between Littleton HS and Lisbon School (14 students)
• SAT prep. class including Lisbon, Littleton and Profile (20 students)
• Student discussion series between Littleton HS and Egg Harbor Township HS
• Special Ed Workshop series for Paraprofessionals
• Various enrichment programs science, social studies, reading, and foreign language

Based on the successful student performance in the Spanish and SAT classes, we can conclude that distance learning is an effective medium for delivering course content. The use of DL for meetings has proved to be a valuable time-saver. Feedback about the enrichment activities has been positive from teachers and students.

PLANS FOR 2003-2004

GOALS:

• Provide AP and/or elective courses for HS students
• Provide convenient professional development offerings to staff
• Provide educational enrichment activities to students at all levels within the SAU

BUDGET:

This will be the first year for the SAU to have an expressed budget for the DL program. The budget is intended to cover program fees, technical support, equipment maintenance, and up to approx. 270 hours of ISDN line charges.

HS CLASSES:

With assistance from NCEF, a group of North Country schools – SAU 35, Colebrook, Woodsville HS, and Lin-Wood – established a list of DL course offerings for the 03-04 school year. The focus was on AP classes, upper-level foreign language, and HS electives, including:

• AP Calculus (Lin-Wood)
• AP Statistics (Colebrook)
• Fundamentals of Music (Lisbon)
• Introduction to Aviation (Lin-Wood)
• Spanish 4 (Woodsville)
• French 3-4 (Woodsville)

We are using a model of mutual reciprocity, so that these classes are being made available to students at any of the participating schools on a tuition-free basis. In addition to these courses, plans are in the works to offer AP European History and French II/III within the SAU using the same model.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• SAU 35 will be participating with Crotched Mountain Foundation’s SupportNet program, which will provide consultation and training via DL to professionals in our districts.
• Paraprofessional training will again be available through NCEF.

STATEWIDE ACTIVITY:

• The Department of Education is beginning to embrace DL and is exploring alternatives for supporting videoconferencing services throughout the state.
• NH Community Technical College will joining the Granite State Distance Learning Network managed by UNH-Coop. Extension. A total of 10 campuses will be joining the network.
• Laconia School District plans to join the GSDLN pending the decision on their USRDA Distance Learning Grant application.
• SERESC has installed a state-of –the-art DL facility in Bedford and plans to deliver professional developments services via the GSDLN.
• SAU 35 should seriously consider joining the GSDLN in the 2004-05 school year to take advantage of the growing statewide DL community.

DL usage analysis