Consortium Directors Discuss K-12 Videoconferencing
K-12 Consortium Directors recently met in Carrington on February 26, 2008 to
learn of updates and discuss issues related to K-12 videoconferencing in ND.
First on the agenda was Barry Stein, Video Network Business Consultant for
North Dakota Information Technology Department. Stein shared updates and
advanced features available on the statewide software scheduling application
Renovo. Of them is availability for video recording. The group discussed
building an online location for communicating needs of consortia for course
and teacher needs. Renovo does have a Clearinghouse feature that provides a
bulletin board type of environment but at this time is not available. ITD is
working to address that need as soon as possible. In the meantime, a
Blackboard discussion board is up and running and can take care of the
clearinghouse requests for the time being. Jody French will provide
instructions on this option soon.
The group also heard from Jody French, EduTech Director and Kim Owen,
Coordinator of Instructional Services for EduTech. French gave an overview
and features for BlackBoard. Open discussion on consortiums using BlackBoard
vs those not using. Owen presented 2007-2008 curriculum enrichment
videoconference events schools have participated in or will be participating
in.
Closing discussions included feedback from consortia.
If you missed the meeting and would like to view it ITD has archived the
link for ten days. View
archive footage.