We Are Connected

The Power of Video Collaboration in Education

CA S E S T U D IE S
A C K NOWLED G EMEN TS

Education Networks of America (ENA) sponsored and developed the We Are Connected: The Power
of Video Collaboration in Education white paper in collaboration with Wainhouse Research. Alan D.
Greenberg, Senior Analyst and Partner with Wainhouse Research served as principal analyst. Mr. Greenberg
is an expert on distance education and e-Learning, edits the Wainhouse Research Bulletin, and is a
past winner of the U.S. Distance Learning Association Outstanding Leadership Award. We thank Mr.
Greenberg for his contributions as well as Wainhouse Research for providing pertinent data and insight that
helped to inform the white paper.

ENA would also like to extend a special thanks to Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township (IN),
Franklin West Supervisory Union (VT), and Monroe County Schools (TN) for their participation in the
case studies included in the white paper.

Specifically, ENA would like to thank the following superintendents, administrators, and educators who
shared their valuable insights and innovative strategic visions for integrating video collaboration into their
district technology roadmaps.

Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township

Jeff McMahon, Chief Information Officer
Nanette Wiseman, Chief Academic Officer
Tim Werner, Instructional Coach, West Newton Elementary School
Kandy Baker, Eighth Grade Math Teacher, Decatur Middle School
Lori Voss, Guidance Counselor, Decatur Middle School

Monroe County Schools

Gary Sharp, Director of Technology, SSMS Director
Missy Carter, Principal of Rural Vale School
Shannon Harris, Middle School Reading and Literacy Teacher at Rural Vale School
Sonia Hardin, Supervisor of Health Services

Franklin West Supervisory Union

Ned Kirsch, Superintendent
Angelique Fairbrother, Digital Learning Specialist
Introduction
Todays digital schools are using mobile video collaboration as one of their tools, adding an entirely new

dimension to teaching, learning, and administrative policy. To provide insight into how school districts

are using video conferencing technology to connect, collaborate, educate and optimize, ENA visited and

interviewed three school districts who are using desktop and mobile video conferencing in traditional,

creative, and innovative ways.

Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township Indianapolis, Indiana

Monroe County Schools Madisonville, Tennessee

Franklin West Supervisory Union Fairfax, Vermont

These school systems vary in size, student demographics, and implementation strategies, but each is

creating effective and meaningful collaborative learning and communication spaces for their students,

educators, and administrators. In this report youll discover how these three districts are using video

to deliver healthcare to their students, expand their global presence, establish internal professional

development networks, and create personal learning pathways for their students.

In addition to the case studies provided in this report, ENA in

collaboration with Wainhouse Research has published a white
paper titled, We Are Connected: The Power of Video Collaboration
in Education along with a toolkit to provide the resources and
references you need to get started or expand your use of mobile video
conferencing technology. The toolkit provides collective resources for
effective video collaboration strategies and implementation designs.
The white paper and toolkit are available for download at:
http://www.ena.com/videocollab.

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 Metropolitan School District
of Decatur Township
The Metropolitan School District of Decatur Township (Decatur Township) is a medium-sized urban
school district located on the southwest side of Indianapolis, Indiana. Decatur Township serves over 6,200
students in grades kindergarten through twelfth in a district comprised of nine schools: an early elementary
center, three elementary schools, two elementary academies, one middle school, an intermediate high
school, and one high school.

Creating Pathways for Decatur Township Students

Decatur Township is committed to creating personalized learning pathways for all of its students to
ensure that they are college and career ready upon graduation. Under the direction of Superintendent Dr.
Matthew Prusiecki, the school district has adopted a learner-centered approach to education and strives to
meet the needs of every child as evidenced by its ambitious vision:

To promote continuous personal growth for all, the MSD of Decatur Township is
committed to being learner-centered. Learning occurs in a safe, respectful, and
caring environment with high expectations for everyone. To meet the academic,
social, emotional, physical, and developmental needs of all learners, we are
committed to building relationships that foster collaboration and empowerment.

Decatur Township Chief Academic Officer Nanette Wiseman has assisted with the creation of learning
pathways within the school corporation. We want to prepare our students and equip them with the tools
they will need to be successful in their future careers, shares Wiseman. Our elementary schools are the
starting pointweve introduced project-based learning, expeditionary learning, and artful learning. At
the middle schools, our students are working together and interacting with the community in creative,
impactful ways. Decatur Townships high school is divided into several learning pathways. Students can
elect to focus on artful learning, project-based learning, global learning, or citizenship.

Decatur Township views technology as a vital tool for its learning pathways. Technology opens doors for
our students, explains Wiseman. It provides us with the ability to transport them into the real world from
within the safe confines of the classroom. Our students are beyond digital natives. We are trying to keep up
with them and provide them with the tools theyll need in their future vocations.

Using Video to Go the Distance for One Exceptional Student

Video conferencing technology is one such tool that the school corporation has experimented with recently.
Decatur Township uses video to stream major student events, such as holiday concerts, for its parents and
community members. However, this past fall the school corporation began exploring new uses for the
technology to address an interesting situation concerning one of Decatur Townships bright young pupils.

Jaiveer Dutta is a sixth grader at the districts West Newton Elementary School. He is an extremely
intelligent student who has always excelled in school, especially in math and science. By the time he was
in third grade, this young man had surpassed the standard curriculum and no longer felt challenged by his
coursework. His parents met with Decatur Townships teachers and instructional coaches to figure out what
they could do to enhance his instruction.

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When he was in fifth grade, Jaiveer was advanced to a sixth grade math class B EN EFITS
by the Decatur Township team. At the beginning of his sixth grade year,
his test scores revealed that he should be taking Algebra I, a freshman-level Using a video conferencing
math course. Unfortunately, this presented a challenge because West Newton and collaboration solution:
Elementary School didnt have a teacher qualified to teach Algebra I.
Supports individualized
learning pathways
Putting the Team in Place
Addresses teacher
West Newton Elementary School Instructional Coach Tim Werner, along resource gaps
with several other Decatur Township faculty members, worked with Jaiveers
parents to come up with a solution. Weve had students in the past who Eliminates inconvenient and
tested into Algebra I as sixth graders, shares Werner. In those situations, unnecessary travel time
a parent was able to transport the child to the middle school every day to
attend the advanced math class. Jaiveers parents both work, so that wasnt Ensures secure and
an option for them. The Decatur Township team considered permanently safe distance learning
transferring Jaiveer to the middle school, but his parents were concerned that experiences
he wasnt mature enough yet to make that move.
Allows virtual and
Decatur Middle School Guidance Counselor Lori Voss quickly began physically present students
searching for a solution that met Jaiveers specific needs. Under the direction to seamlessly interact and
of the middle school Principal Kyle Barrentine, Voss reached out to Decatur be members of the
Townships Chief Information Officer Jeff McMahon for help. same class

I knew we had to get Jaiveer to the middle school, but we didnt want Makes it easy for virtual
to lose the instructional time it would take to travel to another building, teachers to immediately
shares McMahon. Ive had some past experience in video conferencing and respond to students and
distance learning, so we discussed how we could integrate that technology provide feedback
into Jaiveers daily work schedule.

McMahon had previously purchased a cloud-based desktop video

conferencing service offered by ENA for his school district. This service
provided the features and functionality important to McMahon. Security

The video conferencing

program is easy. I just have
to double click an icon on my
computer and join the virtual
room.

Jaiveer Dutta, sixth grade student at West

Newton Elementary School

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 is a big issue for me, relays McMahon. We spend a lot of time and money making sure our kids are
safe in our buildingslocked doors, cameras, and similar things. Why wouldnt we do that in the cyber
environment as well? With a free service, we dont own the product; therefore we cant control it. We might
be giving someone access to our students, someone who could potentially take advantage of them. To me,
having a secure video conferencing solution is just like having locked doors. Its a safe way of doing things.

Staying Connected from a Distance

Knowing they had a secure connection in place, McMahon, Voss, Decatur Townships leadership and
instructional coaches, and Jaiveers parents agreed to move forward with the distance learning plan. Lori
Voss spearheaded the coordination efforts between the elementary school and the middle school, recruiting
Decatur Middle School math teacher Kandy Baker to the team. McMahon downloaded the video
conferencing software onto the eighth grade Algebra I instructors laptop.

Jaiveer logs into his computer every day, and I log into mine, explains Baker. I can see him, and he can
see us. At first the other students were really excited to see what was happening on camera, but now its
pretty routine. Hes just another member of the class. I tend to use review games for tests, and weve figured
out ways to include Jaiveer. For example, Ill have a student carry him around the room via the laptop, or
someone will roll the dice for him, if were engaged in that type of game. I take candy or prizes to Jaiveer at
his school to make sure he feels like an active participant.

Paperwork hasnt proven to be much of an obstacle either. Jaiveers tests are delivered to Baker through the
schools internal mail service. He gets 100 percent on almost everything he does, shares Baker. At the end
of year, he will take a state assessment that all high school students take for Algebra I, and I anticipate that
hell do very well on it.

Seamless Technology Enables Stellar Results

Although Decatur Townships administrators and teachers have been impressed and inspired by the
innovative distance learning program, this virtual learning environment is not that outside-of-the-box for
at least one tech-savvy sixth grader. This is a cool program, but it doesnt feel that different from any other
class Ive taken, shares Jaiveer. The video conferencing program is easy. I just have to double click an icon
on my computer and join the virtual room.

Its that seamlessness that has greatly impressed Jaiveers parents and teachers. When they first approached
us with this idea, I thought it was the most amazing thing, remarks Jaiveers mother. I didnt think they
would do such a thing for him. This is really the best of both worlds. Hes still in a protected environment
with his friends, but he also gets the opportunity to enhance his education and grow, and we didnt have
to change anything. I really like that he is still getting social interaction through the video conferencing
because he needs that. Jaiveer is the type of child who is happy as long as hes working with technology. He
doesnt seek human interaction. We have to provide him that social element in order to keep the balance.

Jaiveers father has been equally impressed with the program. Its a wonderful opportunity, and I dont
think people should take this type of technology for granted. I think hes grown from this. I like that he
already knows a few kids and teachers at the middle school and feel more comfortable sending him there
next year. I think this was a blessing in disguise for him, and it has worked out perfectly.

Jaiveers mother is looking forward to the future and the opportunities it holds in store for her son as well
as other Decatur Township students. Algebra I is the beginning of high school, so Jaiveers already three
years ahead. At this pace, hell be ready to take some college courses while still attending Decatur Township.
There might be an opportunity to integrate this video conferencing tool into his routine so that he can take
some college courses while hes attending high school. If there are more students who can take advantage of
programs like this, maybe this will become a normal practice.

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Real-Time Learning Made Possible through Video Collaboration
Decatur Townships administrators are also envisioning future uses for the desktop and mobile video
technology. The great thing about video conferencing is that it enables students to interact in real time,
explains Nanette Wiseman. With this solution, Jaiveer can ask a question and receive an immediate
response. The technology doesnt slow his learning. If he was taking an online course, he couldnt receive
this type of instant feedback. For me, thats what is most beneficial about videoit eliminates the delay in
learning.

Wiseman is traveling to China this spring with a group of elementary students to visit the districts
Valley Mills Elementary School sister school. She plans to use the mobile video solution to connect and
collaborate with their home school while she is there. This technology has really opened my eyes, shares
Wiseman. When I hear students request more information about a topic, I know I can quickly connect
with them and get them an answer before they lose interest. We no longer have to stop what we are doing
and go watch a big device in another room.

Decatur Townships innovative approach to distance learning certainly aligns with the school districts
overall vision. Through strategic planning and creative thinking, Decatur Townships team created a safe
and caring learning environment that met the specific needs of one exceptionally intelligent and remarkable
young student.

Next Steps for Decatur Township:

Distance learning is just the beginning for Decatur Township. The school corporation is looking forward
to expanding its use of video conferencing in the near future. Below are some of the projects that Decatur
Townships administrators have in their pipeline.

Expand distance learning within the district. The middle school students currently walk to the high
school for advanced courses. Although its a short distance, this walk is difficult for students in Indianas
harsh winter climate.

Facilitate virtual meetings among Decatur Townships administrators and teachers to eliminate travel
time and expenses.

Extend the learning process beyond the classroom walls, e.g., use the technology during snow days to
connect students with their classroom teacher.

Expand streaming opportunities to include school announcements, important student events and
valuable content, e.g., invite veterans to speak on Veterans Day and stream content to Decatur Township
students.

Connect students with subject-matter experts at educational institutions, museums, art galleries, and
other organizations and facilities to create collaborative and meaningful learning opportunities.

Integrate recording tools to archive instruction and student-created content.

Please visit www.ena.com/videocollab for a video on how Decatur Township is creating pathways for its
students and a full white paper and resource tool kit on video conferencing and collaboration.

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 Monroe County Schools
Monroe County Schools (MCS) is a rural school district nestled in the foothills of the Cherokee
National Forest and the Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. The district is comprised of 13 schools
that serve approximately 5,535 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth. Spanning 635.6 square
miles, Monroe County is the fifth largest county in the state, making distance a challenge for MCS
administrators, faculty, and students. The districts furthest school is 56 miles away from the central office.

Led by Director of Schools Tim Blankenship, the district successfully transitioned to the Common Core
this past year. MCS teachers and administrators are focused on promoting academic rigor and excellence
in the classroom. We want to make sure our students are prepared for the next level and that we provide
them with the very best education, explains Missy Carter, Principal of Rural Vale School. But we also
want to teach them to be kind, generous, and caring people and create good citizens. Those values are very
important to us. Balancing all of those needs is our focus.

Seeking to promote its students academic growth, MCS began exploring video conferencing several years
ago as a means of establishing connections to the global community. MCS Director of Technology Gary
Sharp initially purchased large, room-based video conferencing systems, but they soon proved to be too
cost-prohibitive.

We couldnt afford the large $20,000 video conferencing units, shares Sharp. So, I started beta-testing a
cloud-based desktop video solution available through ENA that operated on any computer, laptop, mobile
device, or smartphone. Sharp appreciated the web-based applications mobility, flexibility, and scalability
and ultimately purchased several desktop video conferencing accounts for his district.

Four years later, MCS achievements in the video collaboration space are nothing short of impressive. We
got started in the early days of desktop video conferencing, and weve really seen it grow and develop,
remarks Sharp. Ive seen a lot of positive changes over the last few years. Were lucky because we have some
outstanding video conferencing superstars in our district.

Telehealth Saves MCS (and its Parents) Precious Time and Money
Sonia Hardin is MCS Supervisor of Health Services, and shes one of the districts superstars who quickly
embraced MCS new desktop and mobile video technology. MCS has a school-based clinic at each school.
Every week, a nurse practitioner visits each school for a half day and treats students who are ill, need sports
physicals, or request immunizations. This program has been well received by MCS parents because of its
convenience and low cost. The districts return-to-class rate is over 95 percent.

To further enhance the program, Hardin began looking for a solution to eliminate the distance barrier that
prevented her nurse practitioners from treating more students. With schools located more than 50 miles
apart, MCS nurse practitioners were spending more time in their cars rather than in the schools. Hardin
reached out to Sharp for assistance.

Gary recommended that we try our mobile video conferencing solution to connect our students with
our remotely-located nurse practitioners, explains Hardin. We now have our students sit in front of a
computer and communicate via video conferencing with our nurse practitioners. We have equipment we
can hook up to the computer so that the nurse practitioner can visualize the inside of a students ear or the
throat. The nurse practitioner is able to diagnose illnesses and prescribe treatments on the spot, just as if he
or she was physically present. The video solution is hosted on a secure website, so we feel comfortable using
it, and its saving our nurse practitioners a lot of driving time.

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 We want to make sure our students are
prepared for the next level and that we provide
them with the very best education. But we also
want to teach them to be kind, generous, and
caring people and create good citizens. Those
values are very important to us. Balancing all of
those needs is our focus.

Missy Carter, Principal of Rural Vale School,

Monroe County Schools

We couldnt afford the large $20,000 video

conferencing units. So, I started beta-testing a
cloud-based desktop video solution available
through ENA that operated on any computer,
laptop, mobile device, or smartphone. We
got started in the early days of desktop video
conferencing, and weve really seen it grow and
develop. Ive seen a lot of positive changes over
the last few years.

Gary Sharp, Director of Technology, SSMS Director,

Monroe County Schools

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 Hardin is also using video to more effectively communicate and collaborate with her staff. She currently
oversees 17 nurses, making it difficult to host 30-minute, in-person meetings with her staff. Instead, she
now uses video conferencing to meet with up to six or seven nurses at a time.

I find it more effective to meet via video because you can see the participants, offers Hardin. During a
standard conference call, you cant see the participants reactions when youre delivering information. People
speak volumes with body language. Also, my team and I can share content on our screens, enabling all of us
to be on the same page. Its just a more real, authentic, and engaging experience.

Hardin has also discovered that the technology has created more of a team environment for her nurses.
Being in a rural county, our nurses sometimes feel like they are out there all alone, shares Hardin. This
technology makes them feel connected to each other. They know if they have a question or if theres a
medical emergency, they can contact a nurse practitioner using video conferencing.

Using Video to Expand Classroom Boundaries

Middle school Reading and Literacy teacher Shannon Harris is another MCS video conferencing
superstar. She has been using video technology to connect her students to the global community. She
organized and hosted a virtual career conference last year. She invited doctors, lawyers, forensic scientists,
and a variety of engineers to participate and brought them into her classroom using the districts desktop
video conferencing solution. One attorney from Nashville, Tennessee was particularly popular with the
students because he used his iPad to show the class the downtown view from his office.

As an educator, you want to open doors for your students, even if those doors are virtual, Harris explains.
My students are from rural Appalachia, and many of them have never left Monroe County. When an
attorney used a mobile video solution to show them the Nashville skyline from his office, it was one of
those special moments because so many of my students have never been to the state capitol. It just opened a
door for those kids, and they are still motivated by that presentation a year later.

Harris has taken her virtual prowess up a notch this year by creating a mentoring program for her students.
Shes matched her students with various professionals, and the mentors and mentees will meet via video
for the next two years. Our mentors are so excited about this program because they can meet with their
mentees using their smartphones, says Harris. We can bring them in from any location, using any device,
just by sending them a link. The convenience of the technology is fantastic and mind-blowing.

Harris is also using video to collaborate with other classrooms and bring subject-matter experts to her
school. My students are currently reading the same book as a group of eighth graders at Tellico Plains
Junior High, so we are using video conferencing to discuss the novel together. My kids love it. Ive also used
the technology to bring in a poetry professor from Pennsylvania. Its amazing what you can do with video
conferencing. To have this type of technology available at our fingertips is a gift.

Virtualizing the ACTTest Prep Thats Only a Click Away

During the 2013-2014 school year, MCS won a grant than enabled them to hire an expert who specialized
in ACT test preparation. The only problem was that the expert was located in Louisiana. The districts
technology team got creative and decided to use their desktop video conferencing solution to bring the
expert in virtually. Students were able to connect with the expert using the computers in the schools
library. The expert could share his desktop with the students to conduct and record his lessons using just his
laptop. At the end of the year, MCS students ACT scores jumped by 20 percent.

10
 Being in a rural county, our nurses sometimes
feel like they are out there all alone. This
technology makes them feel connected to each
other. They know if they have a question or if
theres a medical emergency, they can contact a
nurse practitioner using video conferencing.

Sonia Hardin, Supervisor of Health Services,

Monroe County Schools

As an educator, you want to open doors for your

students, even if those doors are virtual. My
students are from rural Appalachia, and many of
them have never left Monroe County. When an
attorney used a mobile video solution to show
them the Nashville skyline from his office, it was
one of those special moments because so many of
my students have never been to the state capitol.
It just opened a door for those kids, and they are
still motivated by that presentation a year later.

Shannon Harris, Middle School Reading and Literacy Teacher

at Rural Vale School, Monroe County Schools

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 The Bigger Picture B EN EFITS
At MCS, each new school year brings new ideas and strategies for Using a video
mobile and desktop video conferencing. Built-in collaboration tools conferencing and
like recording, streaming, and archiving have opened MCS educators collaboration solution:
and administrators eyes to a plethora of previously unexplored
learning and communication opportunities.
Establishes connections to
As an example, MCS now streams its school board meetings and the global community
graduation ceremonies to the general public, enabling those who are
Allows for convenient,
unable to attend to view these events remotely using their laptops,
low-cost delivery of
computers, mobile devices, or smartphones. Last year, ten members
necessary student services
of the armed forces were able to watch their family members graduate
via MCS live video stream. MCS also had one parent who was in the Supports effective
hospital with cancer, and she was able to watch her daughter graduate communication and
using her laptop. collaboration with staff
Streaming is just the tip of the iceberg for this ambitious school Helps virtual team
district. The district has plans to use its video solutions recording tool members feel more
to create archived lesson banks for MCS students and teachers in the connected
near future. If students are sick or traveling, they can still access their
lessons, preventing them from falling behind. MCS teachers can also Connects students with
use the recorded lessons for professional development purposes. real world mentors and
experts
As an educator, I always want to improve. Watching
Delivers meetings and
my own lessons would help me grow and polish my events remotely to parents
skills because I could see where Ive left something and community members
out or I havent clarified a point. Shannon Harris, teacher who could not otherwise
attend them
Principal Missy Carter agrees with the value of having archived lessons.
We are planning on getting some of our lessons online next year.
Theyll be great for our students, but I think it will be beneficial for our
teachers to have a collection of model lessons that they can view. We
intend to have a set of model lessons per grade level.

Monroe Countys citizens and parents have wholeheartedly embraced

mobile and desktop video collaboration technology and have come to
depend upon the connection it provides them to the school district.
Video is changing the learning landscape in this rural community
and enabling MCS administrators, teachers, students, and health
professionals to overcome significant distance barriers and explore a
new world of possibilities.

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Challenges
As with any new implementation, integrating desktop video collaboration technology presents its own
challenges. MCS educators share some of the common challenges they continue to face as they expand the
usage of video conferencing within their district.

Time. It takes time to learn a new system or process, and educators are extremely busy, making it difficult
to focus on any new technology.

Planning. Video collaboration often requires planning, and planning requires time. Teachers are already
overwhelmed with paperwork and meetings. Its often a struggle for them to find the time to plan virtual
trips, contact experts, and schedule virtual meetings with their Professional Learning Communities
(PLCs).

Equipment costs. High-quality cameras and microphones are expensive. Theres a need for high-quality
cameras that are affordable for the classroom. According to MCS Director of Technology Gary Sharp,
the lack of affordable and quality equipment in the marketplace is significantly hindering desktop video
conferencings progress.

Whats Next for Video at MCS?

Below are some elements of the future vision MCS educators and health professionals have for video
collaboration within their district:

Cross-classroom collaboration in preparation for transition to high school, e.g., video collaboration used
to provide MCS eighth graders the opportunity to meet and collaborate with future classmates

Ongoing district-wide virtual Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for MCS teachers and
administrators

Virtual student presentations and peer reviews, with students in one classroom working on a project and
presenting their findings to students in a remote school building and students in the remote building
providing constructive feedback

Virtual parent-teacher conferences

Virtual parent-administrator conferences

Expanded distance learning opportunities

Virtual in-service days

Partnerships with industry leaders to enhance students college and career readiness, using video
conferencing to foster student/industry leader collaborative relationships, e.g., students working on
projects and presenting findings to partner companies for review and feedback

Enhanced behavioral health and counseling services for MCS students

Please visit www.ena.com/videocollab for a video on how Monroe County Schools is expanding student
services beyond the school walls and a full white paper and resource tool kit on video conferencing and
collaboration.

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 Franklin West Supervisory Union
Franklin West Supervisory Union (FWSU) is a small, rural school district located in Franklin County,
Vermont that serves approximately 1,700 students. Comprised of three schoolsBellows Free Academy
Fairfax, Georgia Elementary and Middle School, and Fletcher Elementary SchoolFWSU is unique in
that each school is governed by its own local school board. Three members of each board also serve on
FWSUs nine-member Board of Directors.

Creating 21st Century Learning Opportunities

Under the direction of Superintendent Ned Kirsch, FWSU has transformed itself into a hub for 21st
century digital learning. Creating student-centered learning opportunities for its students is one of the
districts four major targets and one of the driving forces behind FWSUs technology, curriculum, and
instructional initiatives. FWSU is also focused on building a global community, student leaders, and
flexible learning environments within its schools.

Technology is a tool FWSUs administrators and educators are using to implement and facilitate their
personal learning strategies. Four years ago, the district went one-to-one with iPads and laptops. FWSU
was recently recognized as a 2014-2016 Apple Distinguished Program for that initiative. The Apple
Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership,
and educational excellence and that demonstrate a clear vision for exemplary learning environments.

Angelique Fairbrother is the districts digital learning specialist, and she is responsible for providing
the districts teachers with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to create successful one-to-
one learning environments in the classroom. At FWSU, we believe in job-embedded training, shares
Fairbrother. Instead of telling our teachers that we want them to use a certain technology, we encourage
our teachers to seek us out and tell us what they need to enable learning. Our teachers typically have a
goal in mind, so my teams job is to find the solution. Our teachers are much more receptive to a new
technology if it is viewed as a tool or a solution instead of a requirement.

Exploring New Mobile Technologies

One tool that Fairbrother and her team recently introduced into FWSUs classrooms is desktop and mobile
video conferencing. FWSUs high school received a large, room-based Tandberg video conferencing unit
through a statewide distance learning initiative, but the district lacked the funding to purchase similar units
for its middle and elementary schools. Due to its rural location, FWSUs administrators wanted to find an
easily-accessible means of connecting all of its students to the global community.

We dont have a lot of desktop computers, explains Superintendent Kirsch. We are mostly a mobile
learning environment, either through smartphones, iPads, or laptops. Because flexibility is one of the pillars
of our supervisory action plan, we knew we needed to find a mobile video solution our students could use
on their devices to access experts and students globally.

After researching their options, the district decided to pilot a cloud-based video collaboration solution
from ENA that is compatible with any desktop or laptop computer (PC/Mac), legacy H.323 system,
smartphone, or tablet (iOS/Android/Windows 7). The districts students and administrators have used the
solution and its accompanying chat, recording, and archiving tools to communicate and collaborate with
peers, colleagues, and classrooms around the world.

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Our students have been able to collaborate with students in Korea in real-time. Its
different from reading a textbook because its a real live experience. Basically we
knocked down our classroom walls and allowed our students to connect to places
where theyve never connected before. For us, it again goes back to creating those
flexible, personalized learning environments for our students.

Angelique Fairbrother, Digital Learning Specialist, Franklin West Supervisory Union

15
 One of our key targets is to engage the global community, says
Superintendent Kirsch. Our students live in a rural area, but they B EN EFITS
are going to be working in a global world. We have parents who work
in Burlington, Vermont, but they communicate and work with team Using a video
members in Brazil on a weekly basis. We want our students to be prepared conferencing and
for those types of diverse and inclusive work environments. collaboration solution:

Helps create flexible,

Going Global With Video Collaboration personalized learning
environments
To expand their students global horizons, the FWSU team organized an
international youth conference which they hosted using their mobile video Offers a mobile video
conferencing solution. The district connected with students, teachers, and solution students can use
experts in Puerto Rico, Nova Scotia, Senegal, and Kenya. FWSUs middle from multiple devices
school students spoke with students and digital leaders in Senegal and
Kenya about their countries environmental issues. The Vermont students Provides tools to
had the opportunity to collaborate with these students and leaders via support student and
video conferencing and brainstorm potential remedies for those problems. staff communication
and collaboration with
FWSU also worked with the Center for International Virtual Schooling peers, colleagues, and
(IVECA), a non-profit educational organization founded in the United classrooms worldwide
States to coordinate and conduct the International Virtual Schooling
project in a systematic and practical way, to organize more global Expands students
learning opportunities for its students. Through this relationship, FWSU learning experiences and
asynchronously connected to a classroom in Korea using an online learning global horizons
system through Moodle. The classes discussed the differences in their
respective curriculums and compared different cultural aspects. Helps prepare students to
engage with and work in a
global community
Creating Valuable Real-Time Connections in Korea
Allows for cost-effective
Seeking to further personalize FWSUs students interactions, Angelique face-to-face meetings and
Fairbrother decided to use the districts mobile video conferencing colleague communication
solution to connect FWSUs students with a live classroom in Korea. Our
students have been able to collaborate with students in Korea in real-time.
Its different from reading a textbook because its a real live experience.
Basically we knocked down our classroom walls and allowed our students
to connect to places where theyve never connected before. For us, it again
goes back to creating those flexible, personalized learning environments for
our students.

The technologys recording capabilities have also been an asset for the
district. Our students can revisit these recordings and analyze whats going
on, shares Fairbrother. Sometimes, when they are participating in a live
session, its difficult for them to see the big picture. Now, they can review
the recordings to examine the themes and ideas that came out of these
valuable conversations as well as analyze their own public speaking and
presentation skills. Its also a great way for individuals who werent able to
be there, such as parents or grandparents, to view these interactions at a
later date.

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FWSUs Administrators and Teachers Use Video to Cut Costs and Save Time
Aside from connecting FWSUs students to the global community, FWSUs administrators are using
mobile video collaboration to communicate with their colleagues and peers. Living in rural Vermont,
travel is not always the easiest, remarks Superintendent Kirsch. If our superintendent network wants to
have a state-wide meeting we have to travel. Video conferencing technology would make that a lot easier
for everyone. I also use the video solution to communicate with administrators in other states. Its so much
easier and cheaper than getting on a plane.

Angelique Fairbrother uses video technology to host meetings for her team members. I work with three
tech integrationists who all work in different buildings. It can be very difficult to get my team together
because we are 30 miles away from each other. Video conferencing enables us to engage in face-to-face team
meetings without having to travel.

FWSU is additionally exploring using video collaboration technology for virtual field trips and remote
expert presentations. Thus far, FWSUs students have virtually traveled to the St. Louis Zoo, engaged in
discussions with journalists in Indianapolis, and conducted a global study with experts in Spain. FWSUs
administrators and educators are looking forward to providing their students with more innovative and
engaging distance learning and cross-cultural collaborative opportunities in the near future.

One of the biggest components of making video collaboration a success within the district is making sure
the technology is seamless for FWSUs teachers. Our goal is to make video conferencing as easy as being in
the same classroom, shares Superintendent Kirsch. In order to do this, we have to have our infrastructure
second to none; it has to be something we dont think about.

Professional development is another area the district has targeted to ensure its teachers are welcoming of
any new technology. Weve adopted a constructivism point of view in our district, remarks Fairbrother.
We do provide training to our teachers, but a lot of our integration plan centers on passion-based learning.
Once our teachers see the students enthusiasm and see that this is what our students want to be doing,
they welcome it with open arms. With mobile video collaboration, its a different structure/pedagogy for
teachers as they no longer are the experts delivering the information to the students. Instead, they are
connecting to other professionals who can provide their students with information. Its important for
teachers to have an open mindset and understand how to facilitate these conversations because you want it
to be a powerful experience for the students.

Looking Toward the Future

As the district looks toward the future, FWSUs administrators expect mobile video collaboration will play
an even greater role in expanding the districts personalized and flexible learning environments. I think this
technology will be a must-have for future learning opportunities, predicts Superintendent Kirsch. Our
students need to become producers of content. They cant just be consumers. We want others to look to our
district as a source of information. Video conferencing enables us to share our students content with the
world.

Angelique Fairbrother agrees. In my perfect world, I want our students and teachers to be the individuals
producing the information. I want people connecting to us because we are a source of information.
Ultimately, the best way for students to demonstrate their learning is for them to create video content that
is shared globally and viewed as a source for digital learning.

Please visit www.ena.com/videocollab for a video on how Franklin West Supervisory Union is creating
21st century learning opportunities for its students and a full white paper and resource tool kit on video
conferencing and collaboration.

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 ENA is the leading provider of managed Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) solutions
to school systems and libraries. In 1996, ENA created one of the first statewide K-12
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and 3.2 million librarians and patrons. We understand the business and mission of the
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and allow for maximum flexibility while minimizing the burden on our customers
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For more information, please visit http://www.ena.com or call 866-615-1101.

Wainhouse Research is an independent market research firm that focuses on critical

issues in the unified communications and collaboration (UC&C) market and the topics
of distance education and e-Learning within that market. The company conducts multi-
client as well as custom research studies for industry vendors and consults with end users
on key implementation issues. The firm also publishes a free news bulletin, white papers
and market statistics, and delivers public and private seminars as well as presentations at
educator and industry meetings.

For more information, please visit http://www.cp.wainhouse.com.

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