Introduction to distance learning

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Dear BHISD Teachers:

I wanted to introduce myself to all of you.  My name is Serena Smesny and as most of you know I am the new Technology Secretary. I have been given an additional assignment, which I am very excited about. I am the facilitator in the distance learning lab this year.  I have worked in the educational system for the past 16 years in various positions, but this will be a new experience for me.  I am in the process of getting some new programs up and going for the distance learning lab.  Many of you have used the learning lab last year and I look forward to helping you find new programs this year.  If you haven’t used the learning lab you are missing out on a great teaching/enrichment opportunity. 

For anyone who is unfamiliar with our Distance Learning program, here’s a brief overview of what it is all about:

Distance Learning is two-way, interactive communications between sites via ISDN lines and television cameras.  We can have dual-credit or college-level course-taught by the college professors.  We can see art from a museum in another state or even another country - and have museum personnel lecture.  We can videoconference with a class in another school, or take part in a joint project with that class.  We can learn about endangered species, the rain forest, the International Space Station, etc. - from an expert in the field.  We are learning about new applications that we can use in the learning lab everyday. 

The Technology Department has created a webpage that will enable each of you to research all the sites and materials available. This page will be updated regularly in order to add new programs and information. Please take the time to browse through this webpage to see if there are any programs that will complement your curriculum.  If there is anything that you have found that you think others might find useful that is not on the webpage, please e-mail me so we can forward the information to everyone.  If there is a specific subject you would like, please let me know and I will help you research and find one.  Please remember that sometimes it takes as long as 4 weeks (not always) to schedule these programs, so PLEASE PLAN AHEAD!

I am VERY excited about the wonderful capabilities we have in the Distance Learning Lab and look forward to working with you. 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Serena Smesny

Technology Secretary/Distance Learning Facilitator

Updated 02/07/06  4:00 PM
© 2006 Barbers Hill ISD