Why Distance Learning?

James Hodges joins the crew to discuss his role as the Interactive Video Conferencing Department Administrator for the Utah Education and Telehealth Network, known as UETN IVC which is housed at the Eccles Broadcast Center on the University of Utah’s campus. In addition to sharing local knowledge about how to jump into living in Utah,  James explains the unique history and infrastructure that supports the cutting edge UETN Video Operations Center for Utah’s state of the art live, synchronous Distance Education system that is used by thousands of educators and teachers in Utah daily. After describing the impact of Utah’s distance learning model, James also gives insights into his work on the board of the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) and its upcoming conference. 

Links:

• Learn more about UETN by visiting their website here: https://uetn.org/
• Discover more about the history of UETN with a timeline of some of the high level benchmarks that James discussed: https://uetn.org/publicinfo/history.php
• Check out this awesome timelapse of the demolition and rebuild of UETN ops center space: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-u0WCjFzdc
• Explore the United States Distance Learning Associations here: https://usdla.org/

Do not miss the opportunity to learn more from our co-host Seth who is providing a webinar for USDLA on June 2 at 1PM ET, register today here: https://banyangloballearning.com/2023/05/24/free-webinar-tech-sel-digcit/

Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org

Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

This VERY special episode has Tami, Allyson, and Seth welcoming three real-life littles to the show. Tristan and Eden are two of the most active young members of the CILC community, consistently showing up to Community of Learning events and for many live virtual field trips. Vida is the daughter of host Seth. She became an impromptu content provider during the pandemic as Banyan Global Learning launched its social and emotional learning program (at the time entitled "Shelter in Place Superheroes"). 

With these amazing upper-elementary students (and their parents) we discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages to live distance learning, some of their favorite programs and golden moments, and what they love about distance learning. 

Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org

Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

Seth, Allyson, and Tami hang out and talk everything distance learning with health, science, and museum educator Lee Gambol, the Distance Learning Coordinator at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Lee and your hosts talk about the current state of virtual learning in their respective states and how school districts that lack bandwidth and tech can get the resources they need to access live virtual field trips. Lee brings her charisma to a conversation about using hardware and props, her wacky teaching approach, blending hands-on with distance learning, customizing content for audiences of all ages, and supporting a team that ensures the same standard no matter who is providing the live virtual visit. Don't miss out on this episode, where you'll not only be inspired by Lee's expertise in distance learning, but also learn some tidbits about how bodies function and hear the crew share some real life scar stories. Get ready for an informative and fun-filled ride!

• Show Note Links: 
  • Get to know more about Cleveland Museum of Natural History by visiting their website here: https://www.cmnh.org/ 
  • Stay Connected to Lee: 
    • Discover more about the virtual field trip available by visiting their CILC Member Page here: https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/ViewContentProvider.aspx?id=216 
  • Dive Deeper into Research Mentioned: 
    • Find out more about the Rural Utilities Services grants that can help with funding for bandwidth, hardware, and software: https://www.rd.usda.gov/about-rd/agencies/rural-utilities-service 
    • If you are interested in setting up a fund to support your classroom, you can visit DonorChoose to open an account here: https://www.donorschoose.org/ 
    • To learn more about opportunities to gain access to resources to support stronger bandwidth, make sure to check out Internet 2 - https://internet2.edu/ 
    • Discover more about Governors  expanding broadband access in schools per state with this article - https://www.nga.org/news/commentary/governors-prioritize-expanding-internet-access-for-k-12-students/ 
    • Get to know more about the Comcast Project Up Program that is dedicated to advancing digital equity and how you can get involved here - https://corporate.comcast.com/impact/project-up 

Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org

Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

Seth, Allyson, and Tami welcome special guest,  Ben Newsome, founder of Fizzics Education and Virtual Excursions Australia, to share his extensive experience in creating engaging hands-on science programs via distance learning. Ben provides valuable insights on the power of live virtual programs for learners, especially those living in rural and remote communities not only in Australia, but around the globe. Ben provides insight on how to train energetic science educators to engage a global audience. He discusses his collaborations with other institutions to create immersive virtual learning events. Tune in to learn from Ben's wealth of experience and how distance learning connects groups globally and breaks down barriers to learning.

Ben is the author of Be Amazing!: The Way to Teach Science the Way Primary Kids Love and the host of the FizzicsEd Podcast! 

Show Note Links: 

• Get to know more about Fizzics Education by visiting their website here: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/ 
• Discover more about Virtual Excursions Australia and upcoming events here: https://www.virtualexcursionsaustralia.com.au/
• Stay Connected to Ben: 
  • Follow @fizzed on all social media
  • Learn about virtual field trip offerings here: CILC Member Page: https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/ViewContentProvider.aspx?id=424 
  • Check out his book, Be Amazing! - tech science the way primary students love here: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-teach-science-primary-ebook/dp/B072L2JN3H 
  • Make sure to tune-in to his podcast FizzicsEd & FizzicTwists that you can start following here: https://www.fizzicseducation.com.au/category/podcast/ 
• Dive Deeper into Research Mentioned: 
  • Read the study by Megan Ennes, ‘Museum-Based Distance Learning Programs: Current Practices and Future Research Opportunities,’ published in the International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning here: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1297905.pdf 
  • Find out more about how the United States Department of Agriculture defines rural communities in America here: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy-population/rural-classifications/what-is-rural.aspx#:~:text=This%20delineation%20of%20built%2Dup,with%20fewer%20than%202%2C500%20people 
  • Learn more about best practices for online teaching using the TITAC Method from Banyan Global Learning here: https://banyangloballearning.com/best-practices-for-online-teaching-orig/ 
  • Tech Troubles Troubleshooting Links to test your technology set-up on the videoconferencing platform you may be using: 
    • WebEx: Test Call ; &

Seth, Allyson, and Tami welcome Katie Yodice and Eileen Dwyer from the Nassau BOCES Center for Online Learning. Katie and Eileen are education professionals with a plethora of experience running their own unique virtual learning labyrinth for K-12 students. In this episode, they share  their unique insights for helping educators get comfortable with distance learning and their belief in virtual visits as a critical tool to inject excitement into all types of learning. Of particular interest is their work creating global connections between student groups. Get inspired as you listen to Katie and Eileen explain their role in building a global classroom that gives students the opportunity to explore the world and meet each other using distance learning. 

Links: 

Make sure to check out the different offerings from Utah Education Network discussed in the episode here: https://www.uen.org/

If you want to learn more about the work of Katie and Eileen at Nassau BOCES, the national leader in scheduling virtual visits with treasured museums, zoos, science centers, and more for diverse groups of learners, make sure to visit the Nassau BOCES Center for Online Learning website here: https://www.nassauboces.org/col #LongIslandStrong

Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org

Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

Seth, Tami, and Allyson chat with Jason Robertshaw from Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium about his experiences as a virtual educator. The discussion includes a day in the life of the Studio: how to support a range of experts using tech to teach, unlikely hazards using props, and distance learning history and culture. Dive into the different ways an educator can get involved in interactive virtual teaching using their personal expertise and highlighting important content of their institution or field. Also covered are tips and tricks for working with broadcast technologies – including what to do if a raccoon drops through the ceiling right before a live program! Don’t miss this conversation exploring how interactive distance learning experiences opens the door to an authentic global classroom for learners of all ages.

• Links
  • Learn more about Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium -- explore their exhibits, research, and conservation efforts. Learn how to plan a trip by visiting their website: https://mote.org/
  • If you are interested in taking a virtual visit with Jason and his team, check out the many SeaTrek offerings as well as the steps you can take to book a distance learning program on their CILC Member Page: https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/ViewContentProvider.aspx?id=104
  • Make a visit to Mote at night with the special Goodnight at the Aquarium program that Jason just launched, which you can schedule for your group here: https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/Program.aspx?id=8643
  • Ifyou need to start planning summer activities, if you have a budding marine scientist in your life, make sure to check out the virtual summer camp offerings here: https://www.cilc.org/ContentProvider/Program.aspx?id=9609
  • Discover more about the JASON Project that brought distance learning to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium on this site: https://jason.org/about/
  • Get connected with a wider professional learning network that is interested in infusing distance learning technologies into their professional practice by visiting Office Hours Global here: https://officehours.global/   

Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org

Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com

In this episode we introduce our hosts - Seth Fleischauer, Tami Moehring, and Allyson Mitchell. We discuss our experience in education and distance learning, what attracted us to the idea of making a podcast about live video conferencing education, and answer the titular question for ourselves: Why Distance Learning?

Host Links:
Browse amazing virtual learning opportunities at CILC.org

Seth's  Banyan Global Learning prepares students for real life with live virtual learning experiences in Character Education: banyangloballearning.com