[Videoconf] introduction

[Shelley Popson]

Following Greg's lead, I decided to introduce myself again. I am interested
to find out who else is on this list and what we are doing or are planning
to do... 

My name is Shelley Popson Ardis (just married *smile*) and I work in Florida
as a Technology Specialist providing outreach - training, consultation and
support for any educational staff person who serves a student with hearing
loss. Traditionally we have provided services to self-contained classes but
are finding more and more students in general education settings. The
itinerant teachers in those settings are looking for more support from our
Center. The center is called Resource Material & Technology Center for the
Deaf/Hard of Hearing. It is part of a statewide network of agencies to
provide services to benefit students with disabilities and we specialize in
deafness.

I'm based at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine.
Teachers around the state have been doing a variety of "distance learning"
activities but are just beginning to get involved with videoconferencing. We
have a lot of trouble with firewalls and the deaf ed classes being a low
priority for technology folks in districts.

FSDB is looking into doing a variety of videoconferencing projects. We hope
to do some testing and pilot projects this spring with some science classes.
We are looking into doing videostreaming clips to support teachers and
parents. We are doing some on campus chatting using iChat. FSDB also has
recently installed some Sorenson systems for students and staff.

My center does a variety of videoconferencing using webcams (Logitech and
iSight), Polycom ViaVideo, and Sorenson systems. A lot of my Center's
communications are with teachers throughout Florida and faculty involved in
the Join Together grant - info at Deafed.net.

Looking forward to working with others on this list.
Shelley

-- 

Shelley Popson Ardis
Language Technology Special ist
Resource Materials & Technology Center: Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System, Specialized Center
http://www.fsdb.k12.fl.us/rmc
Popson_s at firn.edu
800-356-6731
904-827-2337 office
904-669-6947 cell
904-827-2338 fax
AOL IM - shelljpop