Techtalk

1
Tech-talk

• Video Conferencing

2
Beforeand After

• Monthly staff meetings
• Attendance by MDE evaluators
• NO cost - lots of scheduling flexibility
• More frequent interaction and information sharing

• Quarterly staff meetings
• No involvement of MDE or evaluator
• High cost (travel/time)
• Limited interaction as a group between meetings

3
What we useand why

• Yahoo group
• Store common files (including documents,
  pictures)
• List-serv
• Benefits
• Its free
• Its relatively secure (only we can access the
  files)
• It keeps our files organized and accessible to
  all staff/group members

4
What we useand why

• Horizon Wimba Online Meeting Room
• Monthly staff, agency evaluator meeting
• As needed collaboration
• Benefits
• Its free to us (because of our position at the
  University).
• We get free training and tech support (again
  through the university).
• We can use video conferencing, voice over IP, or
  phone-in options all at once.
• We can also text each other during the meeting.
• We can document share.

5
Challenges

• Staff willingness to use the equipment (some
  dont want to be on camera).
• Learning curve time to learn technology and how
  to make it work in each unique setting/configurati
  on.
• Sometimes the technology doesnt work (although
  thats been rare for us).