Students, Teachers Connect to Outside World

By Pat Kinney, AuburnPub.com

3/10/06

There are many advantages to growing up in central New York, and this is particularly true in the Finger Lakes region. We are unmatched for the beauty of our lakes and our scenery. Occasionally, however, I've heard it lamented that we are somewhat isolated from the rest of the world. Here at Moravia, curriculum and technology play a major role is connecting our students to our world.

Recently, Moravia's elementary students had a chance to learn about the world through their gym class and the Olympics. To bring the international flavor of the Olympics to physical education, Mrs. Burnett and Mr. Langtry provided their classes with replicas of flags representing the various countries. Teams of students representing the countries competed in different events, representing “their” country with the same spirit and passion as the athletes in Italy. Classes also had the opportunity to connect, via the Internet, to various Web sites that brought them to the Olympics.

Mrs. Jocelyn Senter, one of our sixth grade teachers, recently won a grant to participate in an intensive seminar to teach teachers about Asian history and culture. She drives to Rochester once a month to work with expert instructors who are broadening her horizons, so she can broaden the horizons of her students and her colleagues. At Moravia, many teachers expand their own knowledge, so they can offer the same for their students and their fellow teachers.

Most of us consider the internet as a highway, or direct connection, to the world and that is certainly true for our school, too! Scott Upham, our technology coordinator and support person, states, “Moravia has about 350 computers available for students and staff.” The Internet is accessed through a high speed connection to the world wide web. The system is protected by state of the art firewalls and screens established to protect our students and the system from entities that may harm them.

Another way Moravia provides connections to the world is through distance learning. This is accessed and coordinated through our Cayuga Onondaga BOCES site in Auburn. Distance learning is a collaborative venture which links schools that either host or receive the instruction. For example, one of Moravia's high school history teachers, Peg Dienhoffer, taught an Advance Project European History course here. In this case, we were the “host.” Southern Cayuga and Union Springs “received” this course. Often, in our rural area, there may not be sufficient enrollment for a particular course, such as Latin or advanced calculus, to justify offering the course in house. However, through distance learning, districts can collaborate, through our BOCES and distance learning, to broaden course offerings and to access instruction from diverse experts.

Video streaming is also available for our students and staff. This technology allows teachers to bring segments of information that enhance instruction in their classrooms. Because this technology is presented as video segments that include sound, action and visual information, this is particularly dynamic and life-like for our students. Teaching and study guides are provided for everything from the arts to zoology. These segments can be any length, from just two or three minutes to several hours long.

Moravia's libraries also purchase media services that are available. These services access online encyclopedias, dictionaries as well as many primary resources. I recently listened to a program on National Public Radio about how our libraries are being redefined by technology. A question was asked regarding the necessity for libraries with so much information available online. Interestingly, the librarian listed many ways that libraries work hand in hand with technology to make libraries even more accessible, and vital, than in the past.

Bill Tammaro, Moravia's Superintendent, states, “we live in an age where education and being able to compete globally is influenced worldwide. Technology is one vital tool that brings the world into the classroom up front and personally. In Moravia, we seek to expand our resources in technology to offer teachers opportunities to learn methods to enhance student learning through its use. Distance learning is another opportunity that offers experience for students. Currently, we can link into courses across the state. I hope in the near future this can expand to offer students the opportunity to interact with students in China, Brazil, Belgium and other parts of the world. Currently, students are able to take field trips by staying right at home by use of distance learning. They can visit museums around the world as well as parts of the country that are cost prohibitive due to high costs of transportation.”

A small town, with rural surroundings, offers quiet, peaceful routines and the familiarity of friends and family. Nevertheless, our school must prepare our students for their role in a dynamic and changing world. That is our mission at Moravia.

[Pat Kinney is an art teacher at Millard Fillmore Elementary School in Moravia.]