Here is a list of the projects that we are pursuing on the VLN:

National Library:

We are working through a process for National Library to initially use video conferencing gear to offer Proffesional development for teachers in 2009. At this stage we will probably start this trial in term two. Check with Eddie Reisch eddie.reisch@minedu.govt.nz if you are interested in this pilot

TKI

Digital conversations being lead by TKI (see the TKI video conferencing events calendar) on the side menu to see when and what events are happening

A Junior School Project

A project is underway in 2007/08/09 using Adobe Connect, offered via the VLN network.

• Vicki Smith - vickismith@paradise.net.nz - is the facilitator for a project involving six primary schools on the West Coast of the South Island (ICARUS). The student council are enrolled in Adobe Connect and are organising events over their cluster using this online collaboration tool.
• Pauline McLeod - paulinem@waikato.ac.nz - is the facilitator for the Cambridge West ICTPD cluster. She has access to Adobe Connect and is working through some projects with students and staff using this product.
• Rochelle Williams ( rochelle.w@mac.com ) from the Reporoa Cluster is working with students, teachers to develop online collaborative projects.
• In 2009 Vicki Smith, Pauline McLeod, Rochelle Williams, Kymm McPhail ( kymm_mcphail@yahoo.com ), Rick Whalley ( rick@matapu.schoolzone.net.nz ) and myself are working on a project to offer Languages through Adobe Connect and audio conferencing. The planning stages are continuing in the first term of  2009.
• A collaborative web area for Intermediates has been set up on the VLN for planning and discussions for this project and others that may be of interest.
  

If you need any further information, I encourage you to contact (Eddie) - eddie.reisch@minedu.govt.nz.

Music Online

In 2008 we completed trail courses teaching violin, clarinet, drums and voice. This can be viewed at Arts Online . This was hugely successful and is now into phase two starting in 2008 and continuing through the early part of 2009. Phase two will supply us with a  process and framework for Itinerant Music and Out of Schools tuition to be implemented in a logical useful manner.

If you need any further information, I encourage you to contact (Eddie) - eddie.reisch@minedu.govt.nz.

SPARC:

In the later part of 2008 SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) we have had three top New Zealand coaches link to our schools with expert coaching tips for our school and regional coaches. There is some work that will continue into 2009 that will explore the further relationships with SPARC and our school coaches. An example of this was captured on the Tandberg Content Server

PD for Rural Farmers

In 2008/09 a partnership has been developed between MoE, schools and Crown Agriculture Research in Palmerston North. In 2009 a trail will be started between farmers around Dannevirke High School and Crown Ag.

The farmers will be entering the school to do video Conferencing with Crown Ag and then returning to their farms to continue online work using other technologies.

Te Reo Project

A project started in 2007 will be continuing into phase 4 in 2009. The tools that Robin Ohia ( r.ohia@xtra.co.nz )is using to offer online collaborative areas for 5 Kura are LAMS, Moodle and Adobe Connect
The Project:
The LAMS Bilingual Interface Trial was a project to evaluate the effective management of an
online learning environment, the systems within the learning environment and the effectiveness
of such an environment to assist students with student learning outcomes and objectives within
bilingual educational settings.

Tertiary offerings

In 2008 3 tertiary organisations offered courses through the VLN, Otago Polytechnic, WINTEC and Telford Rural Polytechnic These courses were mainly supported by Video Conferencing and LMS systems like Moodle. There were 26 courses offered, ranging from Apiculture to Early Childhood Education, these were hugely successful.
From 2009: these three organisations and Natcol (Tertiary) will be diversifying and offering courses not just to our schools but also to the local communities around these schools.
They will be offering them as blended courses with a combination of technologies:
Adobe Connect, Video and Audio conferencing, Learner management systems and some face to face. An exciting development that I hope will be well supported.

VLN Developments

With the change in the way online learning is being offered and the real diverse range of people/orginisations/schools offering and obtaining courses on the VLN we are undertaking a  very large redevelopment of the  timetabling, programmes of learning definitions, and course selection areas this should be available towards the end of 2009. During the completion of the previous development we will be looking at other critical changes that are needed on the VLN to make it more relevant to its clients.

Tools to Complement Teaching and Learning

The VLN is working through the process of being able to offer as aids to educational organisations in 2008:
We will be developing an area on the VLN that will outline the VLN and the related Services in full. Below are links to a couple of areas that may be of interest

1. Adobe Connect
2. Getting Started with Adobe Connect
3. Tandberg Content Server
4. LAMS (Learning Activity Management System) This MoE server also has a Te Reo translation pack
5. Moodle (LMS) MoE hosted environment
6. Video/Audio Conferencing. MoE manages a bridge to connect approx 260 schools and 35 MoE offices.
   For further details please contact (Eddie) - eddie.reisch@minedu.govt.nz.

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