Video equipment enhances students' experiences

For one hour, the students had the physicist to themselves. They discussed such topics as perfect squares and perfect numbers, subjects they had been studying in class.

Judy Kubik, their teacher, was pleased to be able to provide her students with this opportunity. "How many times would they have the opportunity to have a NASA scientist for a guest speaker?" she asked. "The students enjoyed the experience."

On screen

Ms. Vessa, and a team of other Catholic and public school teachers assisted the New York State Museum in developing a videoconferencing curriculum on the Iroquois. Once it was finished, Project VIEW provided equipment in order to pilot the program.

Ms. Vessa was surprised to receive $10,000 worth of equipment. "When I signed up, I knew it had to do with the fourth grade curriculum," she said. "I joined blindly. I didn't expect to get this."

Out while in

Like regular field trips, videoconferencing reinforces learning that is taking place in the classroom. In addition, it allows students to speak directly with experts. Videoconferencing can also teach students important lessons. Often, Ms. Vessa said, children have a hard time understanding that there is life outside of their own home town. "I hope it shows them the bigger picture," she said.

Having contact with professionals, like NASA scientists, can serve to inspire students. "It shows them that adults want to speak to them," Ms. Vessa said.

Value to class

"I was apprehensive at first," she said. "Then I learned that it was 'real time' and fully interactive. The kids are not just sitting in front of a video."

According to Project VIEW, videoconferencing is different from television or video viewing in that participants experience direct and immediate communication with the presenter; students are able to contribute to the conversation; and the students are active participants.

Mrs. Kubik is excited by the possibilities of videoconferencing. She said the Buffalo Zoo offers a program that incorporates art with science, while the Baseball Hall of Fame has a program that links history, math and statistics.

(For more information on Project VIEW, visit www.projectview.org.)

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