ESC Region 12 Wins Education through Technology Award for Videoconference Programs
WACO, TEXAS--The Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 announced today that Roxanne Glaser, who serves as its distance learning coordinator, is the recipient of the 2007 Center Of Science and Industry (COSI) Excellence in Education through Technology Award.
COSI, a nationally-ranked, Ohio-based instructional organization, established the annual, peer-nominated award to honor technology coordinators and educators who demonstrate an excellence in using technology in the classroom to enhance student learning.
In its announcement, COSI stated Glaser received several nominations for her commitment to the schools in the Central Texas region and assistance with utilizing interactive videoconferencing to enhance state-mandated curriculum. ESC Region 12’s program provides services to more than 60 districts and 103,217 students.
Glaser creates unique and interactive videoconference programs for districts to utilize throughout the school year. They include projects such as the Bluebonnet Reading Conference, Holidays Around the World, Monster Match and Seuss-a-palooza. This year, more than 15,000 students participated in these projects and other events during the 2006-07 school year.
The Bluebonnet Conference is a collaborative reading project between ESC Region 12 and Baylor University. It uses the Internet and videoconferencing to increase reading interest and improve writing skills. Students at a participating elementary school are partnered with a student teacher from Baylor. The group selects one book from the Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee list to read and discuss. Student teachers ask their group questions about the literary work related to comprehension, background, plot, characters and perspectives via blogging. After online discussions, the students utilize their creativity to develop an artistic interpretation of what they read in the form of a skit or presentation to share with other participating schools via videoconference.
Another popular program is Holidays Around the World. It allows elementary students to experience how children in other nations celebrate their winter festivities. During the first week of December, each participating school selects a country to research. Students will work together to prepare short presentation based on its customs and traditions. They often use drawings, artwork, music, dances, skits and costumes in their productions which they then share with the other schools via videoconference.
In addition to these events, Glaser coordinates virtual field trips to places like the Bronx Zoo, NASA and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Glaser is a strong advocate for distance learning in the K-12 classroom and continues to create opportunities and connect schools to educational opportunities to enhance learning. She has also worked as a classroom teacher and curriculum specialist assisting new teachers and their mentors. Glaser has been with the ESC for nine years. She holds a master’s degree in educational technology from Pepperdine University and bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Baylor University.
About EDLINK12 Videoconference Program
In June 1998, the ESC Region 12 received a $2.8 million TIE grant from the Texas Education Agency on behalf of the Center, 48 districts and six private schools. The EDLINK12 Advisory Committee consists of superintendents representing each of the 12 counties in Region 12. The board meets biannually to review policies and fees. EDLINK 12 is composed of 54 sites throughout the Region 12 service area. Members receive value-added service through a members-only site. Videoconference services are also available in four ESC satellite locations (Corsicana, Hillsboro, Nolanville and Teague).
For more information, contact Roxanne Glaser at ESC Region 12 at 254/297.1150 or email rglaser@esc12.net.
About COSI Columbus (http://www.cosi.org/educators/videoconferencing/)
Located in Columbus, Ohio, COSI’s videoconference programs have become nationally known for their high quality, and highly interactive, pertinent content. In the past year, COSI has connected to nearly 32,000 students in 35 states. Their award winning programs include Gadget Works, Surgical Suite, In Depth: Autopsy, and The Experts series. COSI is the 2006 Teachers’ Choice Award Winner for the top Science Museum Content Provider in the country.
About ESC Region 12
One of 20 centers throughout Texas, the Education Service Center (ESC) Region 12 provides professional training and technical assistance for the purpose of improving student performance for all students. Based in Waco, with offices in, Corsicana, Goldthwaite, Hillsboro, Nolanville and Teague, the ESC Region 12’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, Mills, McLennan and Navarro counties.
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