About the Project
Dr. Seuss's Birthday in March has been designated "Read Across America Day" by the National Education Association (NEA). Schools all over the country, and in New Hampshire, choose to celebrate with students in a variety of creative ways. Readers of all ages are encouraged to celebrate! The Granite State Distance Learning Network, (GSDLN), is coordinating a special celebration of the national NEA event by providing students, teachers, and faculty in New Hampshire the unique opportunity to connect to readers using two-way interactive videoconferencing. GSDLN offers this program AT NO CHARGE to any school (if you connect via ISDN you are responsible for your own line charges).
Read Across New Hampshire will take place during the week of March 8-12, 2010.
How it Works
For 2010, GSDLN is offering two options: ‘classroom to classroom matching’ and ‘GSDLN sponsored sessions’.
For classroom to classroom matching, the teacher submits on the registration form the required information and GSDLN will make every effort to match the school with another school in the state. The two matched classroom teachers are then responsible for setting up a date and time for their session that works for both schools, for testing the equipment, and for arranging the content of the session. Help will be available, if necessary.
For the GSDLN sponsored sessions, GSDLN will be scheduling readers to provide an interactive reading session with students at specific dates/times. Multiple schools may register to participate for any of the scheduled sessions. The complete listing of GSDLN sponsored sessions is on the registration form; check the GSDLN.org website and/or future announcements of this event.
Getting Started
Do you have the right equipment?
This activity is open to all K-12 and college students in public and private schools who have access to two-way interactive videoconferencing equipment (ISDN or IP). If you are unsure whether or not you have access to this type of equipment, or don't understand these terms, you should be working with your school's technology coordinator. This project does not work with a web cam hooked up to a computer. Your equipment should be able to do H.323 (IP) or H.320 (ISDN) videoconference connections.
Talk to your technology personnel.
Read Across New Hampshire days can be very time intensive. Planning ahead for support is essential. Talk to your local technology coordinator to see if they have time to assist you. Also, it is of utmost importance that you communicate with your technology coordinator to make sure that no changes are made to the network or equipment setup after successful test calls and before the actual connection.
Do you check your email?
Email is the main form of communication for this event. Please don’t sign up unless you can answer email within 36 hours. Because of the complexity of scheduling, it is essential that you be available via email to work out any scheduling issues.
How to Participate
Complete a registration form. REGISTER EARLY.
*** Registration Deadline: February 12, 2010 » » Register Early
You will be contacted with connection details no later than the week of February 15th.
For Additional Information, Contact:
Richard A. Baker, GSDLN Volunteer
rbaker@lin-wood.k12.nh.us
