The JASON Project is currently engaging students in exciting science, math, geography and reading lessons with JASON XV: Rainforests at the Crossroads. This year's curriculum takes students and teachers on an exciting journey of discovery to explore the Isthmus of Panama region and its fascinating tropical rainforests. The broadcasts will examine such topics as:
* Human history of the Isthmus of Panama
* Tropical rainforest ecosystems of Panama
* Tools and methods of scientific research
* Geology and geologic history
* Watershed and Terrestrial studies
* Interrelationships of local, regional, and global systems
* Management and monitoring of natural resources
* Comparative forest studies
Again this year, PeachStar will assist JASON teachers in sharing with their students the onsite broadcasts with scientists, student Argonauts, and the Project's founder, Dr. Robert Ballard. Rainforests at the Crossroads will air live at the National Science Center at Fort Discovery in Augusta from Tuesday, January 27th until Monday, February 9th. PeachStar will rebroadcast the live feeds from Panama one day later for those classes unable to make the trip to Augusta. Two different, hour-long JASON Project feeds will air at 10 AM and at 1 PM.
If you are not currently using the JASON Project in your classroom and would like to learn more about it, visit www.gajason.org for information about training and materials for Georgia JASON Project teachers. You can also learn more about the project by visiting www.jasonproject.org.
Thursday, December 4, 2003
Tuesday, December 2, 2003
PeachStar's Digital Delivery Makes Learning Available Anytime - Anywhere
As technology trends continue to wax digital, PeachStar remains on the cutting edge by expanding our online delivery system to include greater amounts of high quality programming, including professional development webcasts tailor-made for Georgia educators. Now, more than ever, is the time for teachers and media specialists to begin taking advantage of this alternative delivery system.
PeachStar first made video streaming available in September 2001, allowing students and teachers across the state of Georgia to access educational video clips over the Internet without the use of a VCR. Two years later, our video streaming repository now houses more than 20,000 video clips from more than 5,000 different programs, including many of PeachStar's originally-produced programs. Unlike satellite-delivered programming, video streaming allows teachers and students to search for video assets on-demand by grade, subject area, or keyword. Each of the videos has also been correlated to the appropriate Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards; teachers may also search for clips using QCC Standard as a criterion.
PeachStar's video streaming allows educators to utilize video resources in an entirely new way than ever before: through segments. Segmented video resources give educators the flexibility to select only those clips that apply directly to the standards they intend to teach rather than using valuable class time showing an entire full-length video.
Just like the programming PeachStar airs via satellite, the videos available via video streaming are subject to copyright limitations. In order to protect the distribution of these resources and ensure their continued availability to Georgia educators, the streaming website is password protected. Each school gets its own username and password, which allows educators from the school to stream and download video resources and ancillary materials. This feature also allows PeachStar to collect information about who is getting the most benefit out of the streaming service as well as those schools who may require additional training and support. The top users of the video streaming service have logged between 30,000 to 47,000 views since the site's inception. The PeachStar team applauds these users for being pioneers with this new educational technology!
Since the site launched, PeachStar has recorded 526,095 successful transactions. This means that 526,095 of video clips have been either downloaded or streamed live for use in Georgia classrooms. Use of video streaming continues to grow as more and more educators take advantage of PeachStar's training opportunities and become familiar with the use of the technology in the classroom. If you would like to learn more about how video streaming can impact your classroom, download the user guide on the PeachStar website at www.gpb.org/peachstar and call (404) 685-2550 to schedule an onsite training.
PeachStar first made video streaming available in September 2001, allowing students and teachers across the state of Georgia to access educational video clips over the Internet without the use of a VCR. Two years later, our video streaming repository now houses more than 20,000 video clips from more than 5,000 different programs, including many of PeachStar's originally-produced programs. Unlike satellite-delivered programming, video streaming allows teachers and students to search for video assets on-demand by grade, subject area, or keyword. Each of the videos has also been correlated to the appropriate Georgia Quality Core Curriculum Standards; teachers may also search for clips using QCC Standard as a criterion.
PeachStar's video streaming allows educators to utilize video resources in an entirely new way than ever before: through segments. Segmented video resources give educators the flexibility to select only those clips that apply directly to the standards they intend to teach rather than using valuable class time showing an entire full-length video.
Just like the programming PeachStar airs via satellite, the videos available via video streaming are subject to copyright limitations. In order to protect the distribution of these resources and ensure their continued availability to Georgia educators, the streaming website is password protected. Each school gets its own username and password, which allows educators from the school to stream and download video resources and ancillary materials. This feature also allows PeachStar to collect information about who is getting the most benefit out of the streaming service as well as those schools who may require additional training and support. The top users of the video streaming service have logged between 30,000 to 47,000 views since the site's inception. The PeachStar team applauds these users for being pioneers with this new educational technology!
Since the site launched, PeachStar has recorded 526,095 successful transactions. This means that 526,095 of video clips have been either downloaded or streamed live for use in Georgia classrooms. Use of video streaming continues to grow as more and more educators take advantage of PeachStar's training opportunities and become familiar with the use of the technology in the classroom. If you would like to learn more about how video streaming can impact your classroom, download the user guide on the PeachStar website at www.gpb.org/peachstar and call (404) 685-2550 to schedule an onsite training.
PeachStar Gets a New Home on AMC-3
When the Telstar 4 Satellite failed on September 19, Georgia Public Broadcasting began working tirelessly to secure space on an alternative satellite so that we could restore service as quickly as possible to the schools we serve across Georgia. We were pleased to announce on October 15 that we found a new home on the AMC-3 satellite, which is located just next to Telstar 4, at 87 West longitude. Once we had secured a new satellite, though, great deal of work remained before service could be restored to each of our receiver sites.
Moving to a new satellite meant that each of the more than 2,400 satellite receiving sites we serve statewide had to be repointed - this was no small task. Working with Convergent Media Systems, the company that provides satellite help desk services to our users, we generated a call list of schools that had contacted PeachStar or the help desk over the last two years. E-lerts and web postings encouraged additional schools to contact PeachStar to ensure they got on the call list as well. Between October 15 and November 5 Convergent called each of the schools on the list and attempted to assist media specialists onsite to repoint the satellite receiving equipment over the telephone. Beginning in late October, Convergent dispatched technicians to those sites whose receivers could not be successfully repointed via phone. They will continue to make site visits until all of our users' receiving equipment has been repointed and their signals restored.
During this period while PeachStar and Convergent are working to restore satellite service we will not be airing our regular schedule. Instead, we will broadcast programs that educators have requested through our Video On Request service, which may be accessed via telephone at 404-685-2580. We will resume broadcasting our regularly scheduled programming in early January, once the work of repointing has been completed.
If you have not yet been contacted by Convergent and still need to have your satellite receiving equipment repointed, please call them at 800-877-7805 or call PeachStar at 888-501-8960 and a technician will be happy to assist you with restoring PeachStar service to your classroom.
Moving to a new satellite meant that each of the more than 2,400 satellite receiving sites we serve statewide had to be repointed - this was no small task. Working with Convergent Media Systems, the company that provides satellite help desk services to our users, we generated a call list of schools that had contacted PeachStar or the help desk over the last two years. E-lerts and web postings encouraged additional schools to contact PeachStar to ensure they got on the call list as well. Between October 15 and November 5 Convergent called each of the schools on the list and attempted to assist media specialists onsite to repoint the satellite receiving equipment over the telephone. Beginning in late October, Convergent dispatched technicians to those sites whose receivers could not be successfully repointed via phone. They will continue to make site visits until all of our users' receiving equipment has been repointed and their signals restored.
During this period while PeachStar and Convergent are working to restore satellite service we will not be airing our regular schedule. Instead, we will broadcast programs that educators have requested through our Video On Request service, which may be accessed via telephone at 404-685-2580. We will resume broadcasting our regularly scheduled programming in early January, once the work of repointing has been completed.
If you have not yet been contacted by Convergent and still need to have your satellite receiving equipment repointed, please call them at 800-877-7805 or call PeachStar at 888-501-8960 and a technician will be happy to assist you with restoring PeachStar service to your classroom.
Tuesday, November 4, 2003
Executive Director's Message
Dear Educator:
Over the last couple of months, you may have read news reports or seen and heard announcements on GPTV and Georgia Public Radio about the loss of the satellite that delivered our television, radio and education services. Since its owner, LORAL, declared their satellite a total loss in September, we have been working hard to restore service to all of our audiences.
Using a land-based back-up delivery system, GPTV and Georgia Public Radio have remained on the air with varying levels of service in most areas of the state. Most affected has been GPB's PeachStar Educational Services, which transmits instructional programming directly to schools. Since the satellite was PeachStar's primary delivery system, service to all Georgia's 2,400+ educational satellite sites has been interrupted. However, to continue to serve Georgia's schoolchildren, Georgia Public Broadcasting has expanded the PeachStar over-the-air service, overnight on GPTV. Seven days a week from midnight until 7 AM, PeachStar's instructional programs air on GPTV's nine stations, which are universally accessible.
We have taken steps with another satellite to restore our signal delivery, and as you read this, both television and radio should be back up and running. However, since the new satellite is in a completely different position than the previous one, all of the 2400+ satellite receiver dishes at the educational sites will require repositioning and reprogramming, a process that will take a number of weeks. During this time, GPTV will continue to broadcast PeachStar's instructional programming overnight, providing this invaluable service to Georgia's schools.
We've appreciated your patience as we've worked toward solutions. If you have any questions, please give us a call 1/800/222-4788, for questions about GPTV and Georgia Public Radio programming; 1/888/501/8960 for questions about PeachStar programming.
James M. Lyle
Over the last couple of months, you may have read news reports or seen and heard announcements on GPTV and Georgia Public Radio about the loss of the satellite that delivered our television, radio and education services. Since its owner, LORAL, declared their satellite a total loss in September, we have been working hard to restore service to all of our audiences.
Using a land-based back-up delivery system, GPTV and Georgia Public Radio have remained on the air with varying levels of service in most areas of the state. Most affected has been GPB's PeachStar Educational Services, which transmits instructional programming directly to schools. Since the satellite was PeachStar's primary delivery system, service to all Georgia's 2,400+ educational satellite sites has been interrupted. However, to continue to serve Georgia's schoolchildren, Georgia Public Broadcasting has expanded the PeachStar over-the-air service, overnight on GPTV. Seven days a week from midnight until 7 AM, PeachStar's instructional programs air on GPTV's nine stations, which are universally accessible.
We have taken steps with another satellite to restore our signal delivery, and as you read this, both television and radio should be back up and running. However, since the new satellite is in a completely different position than the previous one, all of the 2400+ satellite receiver dishes at the educational sites will require repositioning and reprogramming, a process that will take a number of weeks. During this time, GPTV will continue to broadcast PeachStar's instructional programming overnight, providing this invaluable service to Georgia's schools.
We've appreciated your patience as we've worked toward solutions. If you have any questions, please give us a call 1/800/222-4788, for questions about GPTV and Georgia Public Radio programming; 1/888/501/8960 for questions about PeachStar programming.
James M. Lyle
November is the Time for Fun Learning at Scitrek
By now you've become familiar with SciTrek, your favorite hands-on science and technology museum dedicated to inspiring and educating young people to become the innovators of the future. In the past we've told you about exciting exhibits like "Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats," "ZOOMZone," and "Microbes: Invisible Invader-Amazing Allies." This November SciTrek is offering you several opportunities to learn about science in challenging and exciting ways!
Challenger Space Mission
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an astronaut? Well, now is your chance to find out! Come explore SciTrek's new Challenger Learning Center and participate in a 2-hour space mission simulation program. You will have an opportunity to experience both Mission Control and the Space Station! Missions are geared for children and adults ages 9 and older. You can fly into action on November 8 from 10 AM-12 PM or 1-3 PM. Call 404-522-5500 ext. 253 for more details.
Family Day
Sometimes families just need to spend a little quality time together. And what better way to spend that time than learning together through fun adventures at SciTrek- November 15 will be family day at SciTrek. Admission will be free all day long and participants will have access to all permanent SciTrek exhibits, including:
* Life of the Brain
* Science of Ice Hockey
* RoboMars
* The SciTrek Express
* ZOOMZone
* Electric-Magnetic Junction
* The Color Factory
* Light Reflections
* Perception and Illusions
* Simple Machines: How Things Work
* KidSpace
* Communications Gallery
* STARS - SciTrek Amateur Radio Society
* Georgia Technology Hall of Fame
FIRST Lego League Competition
FIRST Lego League is an international program for children ages 9-14 that combines a hands-on, interactive robotics program with a sports-like atmosphere. Teams consist of up to 10 players that focus on such things as team building, problem solving, creativity, and analytical thinking. With the help of LEGO® MINDSTORMS- Robotics Invention System technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group. Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears, teams gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions. Come watch this exciting competition at SciTrek from 10 AM-5 PM on November 22! If you are interested in registering for the event, please visit www.usfirst.org/robotics/.
Challenger Space Mission
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be an astronaut? Well, now is your chance to find out! Come explore SciTrek's new Challenger Learning Center and participate in a 2-hour space mission simulation program. You will have an opportunity to experience both Mission Control and the Space Station! Missions are geared for children and adults ages 9 and older. You can fly into action on November 8 from 10 AM-12 PM or 1-3 PM. Call 404-522-5500 ext. 253 for more details.
Family Day
Sometimes families just need to spend a little quality time together. And what better way to spend that time than learning together through fun adventures at SciTrek- November 15 will be family day at SciTrek. Admission will be free all day long and participants will have access to all permanent SciTrek exhibits, including:
* Life of the Brain
* Science of Ice Hockey
* RoboMars
* The SciTrek Express
* ZOOMZone
* Electric-Magnetic Junction
* The Color Factory
* Light Reflections
* Perception and Illusions
* Simple Machines: How Things Work
* KidSpace
* Communications Gallery
* STARS - SciTrek Amateur Radio Society
* Georgia Technology Hall of Fame
FIRST Lego League Competition
FIRST Lego League is an international program for children ages 9-14 that combines a hands-on, interactive robotics program with a sports-like atmosphere. Teams consist of up to 10 players that focus on such things as team building, problem solving, creativity, and analytical thinking. With the help of LEGO® MINDSTORMS- Robotics Invention System technology, young participants can build a robot and compete in a friendly, FIRST-style robotics event specially designed for their age group. Using LEGO bricks and other elements such as sensors, motors, and gears, teams gain hands-on experience in engineering and computer programming principles as they construct and program their unique robot inventions. Come watch this exciting competition at SciTrek from 10 AM-5 PM on November 22! If you are interested in registering for the event, please visit www.usfirst.org/robotics/.
Monday, November 3, 2003
Professional development Credit Opportunities On PeachStar
Even while increasing budget cuts make it difficult for schools and systems to fund professional development opportunities for educators, requirements for staff development unit credits remain the same.
One of the requests PeachStar most consistently receives is for cost-free educator professional development. In response to these requests, PeachStar has taken great measures to enhance our repository of professional development programming both by creating new programming in-house and by seeking out the highest quality programming on the market - and offering them free to Georgia educators in need of professional development to meet recertification requirements.
Annenberg/CPB courses represent one of the many sources of professional development programming PeachStar makes available to Georgia educators at no cost. These courses consist of at least eight sessions that include video and discussion/problem solving components as well as print materials (available directly through Annenberg) and websites. Annenberg courses offered through PeachStar cover a variety of education topics, including:
* Elementary Arts Education
* School Reform
* Literature Instruction
* Classroom Theory
* Geometry Instruction
* Algebra Instruction
* Civics
* Primary Sources
* Reading Instruction
We encourage schools to offer PeachStar programming for staff development unit (SDU) credit. Keep in mind that the same basic rules and regulations that apply to traditional modes of professional development also apply to video and web-based training.
Local school systems are ultimately responsible for deciding whether training activities are appropriate for earning SDU credit. In addition to whatever guidelines are set at the school and district level, basic state requirements must be met. The Georgia Department of Education requires that
* 10 clock hours of instruction must be attended to receive one staff development unit;
* Attendance must be documented for each workshop offering; and
* Mastery verification of on-the-job performance verification must be documented for each workshop offering.
Schools and systems that are considering the use of PeachStar programming for staff development purposes should understand that while PeachStar serves as the instructional delivery system for the programming, it is the responsibility of each school or school district to provide the following:
* An onsite facilitator to verify participant attendance at each session (required by state guidelines);
* Onsite personnel to document that participants have completed workshop activities successfully or that new learnings have been incorporated successfully into the job as verified by the on-the-job performance assessment (required by state guidelines); and
* An onsite facilitator to ensure that school or school district requirements for earning staff development units are met.
If you are interested in making PeachStar programming part of your staff development plan, contact your school or system staff development coordinator. There is an existing form called the Staff Development Unit Course Completion form, approved by the Georgia Department of Education that your system might want to use to document successful completion of SDU work through PeachStar.
One of the requests PeachStar most consistently receives is for cost-free educator professional development. In response to these requests, PeachStar has taken great measures to enhance our repository of professional development programming both by creating new programming in-house and by seeking out the highest quality programming on the market - and offering them free to Georgia educators in need of professional development to meet recertification requirements.
Annenberg/CPB courses represent one of the many sources of professional development programming PeachStar makes available to Georgia educators at no cost. These courses consist of at least eight sessions that include video and discussion/problem solving components as well as print materials (available directly through Annenberg) and websites. Annenberg courses offered through PeachStar cover a variety of education topics, including:
* Elementary Arts Education
* School Reform
* Literature Instruction
* Classroom Theory
* Geometry Instruction
* Algebra Instruction
* Civics
* Primary Sources
* Reading Instruction
We encourage schools to offer PeachStar programming for staff development unit (SDU) credit. Keep in mind that the same basic rules and regulations that apply to traditional modes of professional development also apply to video and web-based training.
Local school systems are ultimately responsible for deciding whether training activities are appropriate for earning SDU credit. In addition to whatever guidelines are set at the school and district level, basic state requirements must be met. The Georgia Department of Education requires that
* 10 clock hours of instruction must be attended to receive one staff development unit;
* Attendance must be documented for each workshop offering; and
* Mastery verification of on-the-job performance verification must be documented for each workshop offering.
Schools and systems that are considering the use of PeachStar programming for staff development purposes should understand that while PeachStar serves as the instructional delivery system for the programming, it is the responsibility of each school or school district to provide the following:
* An onsite facilitator to verify participant attendance at each session (required by state guidelines);
* Onsite personnel to document that participants have completed workshop activities successfully or that new learnings have been incorporated successfully into the job as verified by the on-the-job performance assessment (required by state guidelines); and
* An onsite facilitator to ensure that school or school district requirements for earning staff development units are met.
If you are interested in making PeachStar programming part of your staff development plan, contact your school or system staff development coordinator. There is an existing form called the Staff Development Unit Course Completion form, approved by the Georgia Department of Education that your system might want to use to document successful completion of SDU work through PeachStar.
Sunday, November 2, 2003
Physics and Chemistry Through PeachStar Classroom
PeachStar Classroom is Georgia Public Broadcasting's initiative to deliver credit-bearing courses to Georgia students in subject areas where many systems lack staff with specialized certification. High school chemistry and physics courses are currently available, providing video content lessons and classroom materials to help teachers provide their students with high-quality science instruction.
The primary method of course delivery is through 30-minute video streaming broadcasts featuring teachers presenting the material to students, demonstrations of principles and techniques, students asking questions and interacting with the teacher, and short assessments of the material. A certified teacher serving as an onsite facilitator for the class interacts with the students, sets up labs, and administers assignments and assessments for the course.
Available classroom activities range from interactive worksheets and videos to online labs and quizzes. The discussion boards enable students and facilitators to post questions and receive answers from PeachStar Classroom's certified content specialists.
It's still not too late to register for physics and chemistry for the 2003-2004 school year. Many schools have found that their chemistry or physics teachers would like some assistance in the face of a challenging teaching schedule. Other schools have expressed interest in using the materials in the event of a long-term substitute, or a teacher absence. Some are interested in using the courses during second semester to provide remedial materials for first-semester chemistry or physics.
New to our program this year are schools in Banks, Cherokee, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties as well as the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, who join Dodge, Ben Hill Taliferro and Calhoun counties who participated last year. McIntosh County will be joining us with physics when spring semester begins.
The primary method of course delivery is through 30-minute video streaming broadcasts featuring teachers presenting the material to students, demonstrations of principles and techniques, students asking questions and interacting with the teacher, and short assessments of the material. A certified teacher serving as an onsite facilitator for the class interacts with the students, sets up labs, and administers assignments and assessments for the course.
Available classroom activities range from interactive worksheets and videos to online labs and quizzes. The discussion boards enable students and facilitators to post questions and receive answers from PeachStar Classroom's certified content specialists.
It's still not too late to register for physics and chemistry for the 2003-2004 school year. Many schools have found that their chemistry or physics teachers would like some assistance in the face of a challenging teaching schedule. Other schools have expressed interest in using the materials in the event of a long-term substitute, or a teacher absence. Some are interested in using the courses during second semester to provide remedial materials for first-semester chemistry or physics.
New to our program this year are schools in Banks, Cherokee, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties as well as the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf, who join Dodge, Ben Hill Taliferro and Calhoun counties who participated last year. McIntosh County will be joining us with physics when spring semester begins.
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