Space Station Alpha e-Mission

January 15th after school 16 Math and Science teachers gathered at GPPSD Central Office for a video conference with the Challenger Learning Centre, http://clc.cet.edu/. We had a brief over view of the e-Missions offered by the centre with specific information about the Space Station Alpha program.

Then we were divided into four teams and embarked on a “routine” shuttle flight to the space station. There were a few issues with a solar flare and the resulting proton storm. The teams had to use math and science to insure the safety of the astronauts on board.

It took some hard work and a few tense minutes as we worked quickly to lower the risk to the astronauts. We almost lost them but did use the resources on board to lower the risk and successfully dock the shuttle on the space station.

This was a great learning activity and the teachers went away feeling that this would be a worth while activity for their Grade Nine students.

The door prize, an e-Mission for one class, was won by Crystal Park School.

2Learn.ca Regional Video Conference Support

In 2007 the 2Learn.ca community was awarded a two year contract to support teachers and school districts with the implementation of video conferencing as a classroom technology. In the Grande Prairie region there was limited activity. In all cases the districts central offices had been or were equipped with video conference technology. Some of the schools in the outlaying areas were also equipped. There was very limited use of the technology.

In the first year of the contract, the Regional Video Conference Lead (RVCL) worked out of a school a great distance form the school districts. There was limited contact and it is my understanding there was one PD session held at the Might Peace Teacher’s Convention.

The central office staff did use the technology for meetings.

During the summer of 2007 there was a personnel change and I joined the team. I have been using video conference technology for five years, for personal and professional use.

There is a variety of technologies used for video conferencing. The equipment that I had used was different from what Alberta Education had funded and mandated, so I was on a steep learning curve.

In this role as a RVCL I am available to support you and your teachers as they start to get their feet wet with video conferencing.

Here is what I can do:
Help find appropriate sites to connect with.
Help arrange a video conference with a site.
Provide video conference equipment training.
Be on site for the video conference equipment test.
Provide advice about participating in a video conference for the teacher and the students.
Be on sit for the video conference.
Help with anyone wanting to host a video conference.
Promote video conference opportunities
Work with local producers to develop video conferences


So what have I done so far?

Learned how to use the equipment and participated in a number of video conferences.
Met with all the regional boards and promoted the concept.
Offered to pay for a limited number of sessions for each school district.
Assisted some teachers with the video conference sessions.
Met with GPRC staff to develop a River of Death ( http://www.riverofdeath.ca/ ) video conference in April
Arranged an e-Mission Teacher PD session for January 15th in Grande Prairie for junior high Math and Science Teachers. The door prize is a student session from the Challenger Foundation. http://clc.cet.edu

I view my role as doing anything to help teachers use this technology with students. If I can be of assistance or if you have any questions please contact me at gerald.logan@gppsd.ab.ca or 532-8885 ext 1602