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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1998-05-20, Page 72 F A MI T ,_1_ Times -Advocate, May 20, 1998 Page 7 Bringing the classroom into the 21st century Katherine Harding T -A Reporter USBORNE TOWNSHIP - "Class, don't forget how we ad- dress Mrs.Weston...with your hon- or," said Miss Beaulac, a Grade 6-7 teacher at Usborne Central School. And with that warm reminder, students busily look over their notes, preparing for the event ahead, In just seconds, Miss Beaulac's class will be virtually connected with notable Canadians like the Honorable Hilary Weston, Mel Hurtig, Red Green and members of the rock band Rusty, not to mention over 400 other students par- ticipating in TV Ontario's Virtual Classroom program. Last Wednesday, this special pro- gram entitled, "What's a Canadian? You Figure it Out!," marked TVO's official launch of their 22 school pilot project of Virtual Classrooms, The new interactive multimedia curriculum project helps stretch the budgets of cash-strapped school boards by allowing them access to high quality learning experiences with experts. For Usborne Central School prin- cipal Jim Binns, the initial risk this project posed was well worth it. "You have to,take risks because it usually pays back many times over for the kids," he said. "We are providing kids with new experiences," said Binns. "The world is becoming so small so quickly...this helps prepare them for going out into the real world." Binns' optimistic comments about the Virtual Classroom were also echoed by Avon Maitland School, Board chair, Abby Arm-. strong, "I have had a lot of parents call in...there is a lot of parental support for the idea." Armstrong added that, "the more opportunities you can provide the students, the more they can learn." The programming potential of the Virtual Classroom is vast. Besides providing curriculum pro- gramming, the resource also offers: • Direct teaching of courses where insufficient enrolment means schools cannot afford to offer them: • Interactive electronic "field trips" - for example, students can take a day trip to Sudbury to visit a nickel mine or even venture into space to talk to astronauts at work without ever leaving their class- room • Professional development train- ing for teachers and other groups to integrate new educational tech- niques or curriculum changes "Because of this program we have been able to gain several re- sources for the school...it also has connected us to the experts - which is an opportunity we might not have ever got," said Usborne Cen- tral School teacher, Michelle Beau - lac. "Also from a teachers perspective it has been great to dialogue with other teachers and listen to their ideas...the Virtual Classroom al- lows us to talk to other teachers from across the province." Both Binns and Beaulac were es- pecially appreciative of the help they have been receiving from Kar- en Schade, the Project Resource employee provided for the Virtual Classroom at Usborne Central. "Without Karen there to deliver all the technical support we wouldn't be able to have this type of resource," said Beaulac. Schade's employment was helped made possible through TVO's part- nership with Edutech, an educa- tional foundation that promotes the integration of technology into learning. Manager and Head of Content at TVO, Bernie Burns is excited about the Virtual Classroom's initial suc- cess. "TVO has a strong commitment to education...the Virtual Class- room helps students who's learning might be disadvantaged by distance or budgetary constraints...it helps level the playing field and hope- fully light the candle of curiosity in students" said Burns. "It has been a fairly good transi- tion from broadcast to inter- active...the great thing about the Virtual. Classroom is that it makes students feel like they are in a classroom with a person and not just 'a television personality." What's next for the Virtual Class- room? Burns said TVO thinks the next logical step is to establish two channels (elementary and sec- ondary education) and to in- vestigate the possibility of the Vir- tual Classroom becoming a community resource. "This would be an ideal resource for businesses or community or- ganizations to rent out if they need to conduct conferencing or train ing...it is a potential revenue gener- ator for the school and its board," said Burns. Getting connected. Jenna Bickel!, a Grade 7 student at borne Central answers a question last Wednesday during official launch of the Virtual Classroom. Us the Biddulph Central School students tour Quebec By H. Davis Saintsbury correspondent On June 7, St. Patrick's will cel- ebrate their 138th anniversary. at 10:30 a.m. with refreshments and a SAINTSBURY - The Rev., time of fellowship to follow the Stanley Jay was at St. Patrick's on service in the parish hall. May 17 to celebrate the Holy Katie -Scarlett MacGillivray I Eucharist. arrived home on Friday evening Katie -Scarlett MacGillivray was server for the service. The chil- dren's focus was "Celebration of our place under God's Kingdom in the World". Following Sunday School classes the children present- ed letters, prayers and seeds for the poor of Uganda to be blessed before they send them to different areas. The children were praised for their thoughtfulness. Saturday evening at 7 p.m. on May 23, St. Patrick's will celebrate their Evening Prayer service. with classmates from Biddulph Central School following a trip to Quebec with many interesting points of interest. The MacGillivray's are enjoying the holiday with friends at Auburn. The Davis's were overnight visi- tors with Bill and Betty Johnson of Owen Sound on Tuesday. Sympathy goes out to Bob and Joan Beaune of London in the death of Bob's father, Lawrence Beaune, who passed away in Rockford, Illinois. Hazel Davis called on Carol Greenlee on Thursday and met the newest member of the family, Cody Steven Kunder, infant son of Kim and Chris Kunder of London who was visiting his grandmother. Happy birthday wishes go from Dickin's relatives in the area to Whitney Coates, who is celebrating his 93rd birthday on May 19. Cousins Helen MacDonald and Joyce Sovereign of Lucan were Sunday visitors with Mary Davis. Stevie MacGillivray and Heather MacGillivray called on Mary Davis this week and Keith Coates who was home for his father's birthday also called on Mary Davis. Congratulations to Harley Davis on Sunday, taking fourth place in Don't let your prom corsage become a funeralrier iNigis �r wreath �� • i:; �t� y Don't drink and drive or ride with anyone who does!!! Have a great summer Mothers Against Drunk Driving Drive SOBER - Save Lives! HURON/BRUCE CHAPTER WINGHAM, ON NOG 2W0 Tel. (519) 357-4552 Super Mini and fourth place in 80 cc at Durham Moto Park. Zurich Women's Institute take tour of nursery near Bayfield ZURICH -Fifteen Women's Institute members enjoyed lunch at Erb's Country Kitchen at their May meeting. The business meeting was held at the home of president Bridget Groot. Final plans were made for host- ing the District Annual meeting on May 21. Pearl Heimrich read a Mother's Day poem. They then visited the Te -em farm near Bayfield and several came home with plants. 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