Two months ago Pipeline invited Georgia educators to write a short essay telling how their schools use PeachStar programming to enhance classroom instruction. We received several excellent responses and would like to share a few excerpts with all our readers.
"Chestnut Log Middle School has used PeachStar as a major component of our science program for over three years. We tape Integrated Science each week for three 20-minute segments for each grade level. Each segment presents instruction and demonstration interspersed with graphics, animation, and live action.
Our Spanish students enjoy reviewing vocabulary and pronunciation using the elementary SALSA programs. These 15-minute programs use puppets and animation to tell classic children's stories. In exploratory, our student media and career teacher is using segments from several new programs being broadcast this year to encourage students to look to their future in a more positive and open way. Selections taped are The E in Me/The Entrepreneur in You, Against All Odds, Only in America, World of Work, and Great Black Innovators.
The cornerstone of our eighth grade social studies videos has been the Georgia Stories series. With a new emphasis and a new curriculum this year, teachers have needed materials on U.S. history and government. Eighth grade has requested The Story of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, American Revolution, and Westward Expansion. Other grade levels have used Geography Skills and Great Cities of the Ancient World.
This month, math teachers have requested Want This Job? Do Your Math. So often students complain, 'Why do I have to learn this? I'll never need this!' These programs will show our students interesting high-tech jobs where science and math are necessary.
Although we tape and show many other PeachStar programs, this sample shows many ways the programming enhances and supplements our regular curriculum."
Susan Bissell, Media Specialist, Chestnut Log Middle School, Douglas County Schools
"... I feel that all children need to be exposed to other cultures. For them, learning another language, like Spanish, is not only fun, but it allows them to develop a sensitivity to others. I have used SALSA since its publication to enhance my third grade classroom's goal of learning a Spanish phrase or word each week. I choose words or phrases within a content area and focus on them. SALSA adds native reinforcement and enhancement to my classroom curriculum. For a city school system as small as mine which can't afford a foreign language program, SALSA is a wonderful supplement for a bilingual teacher who would like to share the gift of a different culture."
Candace Oliver, Third Grade Teacher, Commerce Elementary School, Commerce City Schools
"At Camp Creek we have some science and social studies teachers who faithfully look through PeachStar Pipeline each month and send us requests to tape selected programs for them to supplement their curriculum topics in areas where our school and county video libraries are lacking. We are also a special education center for our half of the county, and we are able to obtain elementary videos from PeachStar for many of our hearing-impaired or autistic self-contained students and other special education students. We have two full-time Spanish teachers for our middle scholars, and they both teach a 6th grade exploratory class and a regular Spanish I class (for high school credit) for 7th and 8th graders. The Spanish teachers came and asked me to request the free SALSA set for their classroom use. They are both imaginative and creative teachers who I am sure would make excellent instructional use of the series in their classrooms."
Lynn Bradley, Media Specialist, Camp Creek Middle School, Fulton County Schools
For taking the time and trouble to write to us, each of the schools noted above (plus others that responded) will receive a free SALSA I video set. In addition, we are now offering to give away a limited number of Irasshai Explorer Kits to schools that send essays. Please check out the "PeachStar's Spring Sale" notice on page 4 of this Pipeline for details.
Thursday, March 16, 2000
Wednesday, March 1, 2000
News Flash! The GALAXY Classroom is Now Online!
Beginning immediately the GALAXY Classroom Web Site is available to expand teacher support and offer new dimensions for student learning. Through the web site GALAXY Classroom hopes to provide an expanded gateway to the world of teaching and learning. Now participating in GALAXY is a great reason to be on the web. Special areas have been set up for teachers as well as students. In the teacher area you will have access to literature connections, additional hands-on investigations to enhance your classroom inquiries, newsletters and monthly calendars, and direct access to GALAXY curriculum staff via e-mail. In addition, you can register to be a part of the GALAXY teacher listserv, which makes communicating with teachers throughout North America as easy as sending an electronic letter!
In the student areas students will find scores of opportunities to expand their investigations. A separate area is set up for each curriculum. Your students will have access to the characters on the programs through "fan e-mail." Even parents will find take-home investigations that relate to what their children are doing in their GALAXY Classrooms at school. Student work from all over North America is posted on the site, providing an exciting opportunity for students to see their work as well as the responses from their peers all over the GALAXY.
To enter the web sites you will need the user names and passwords listed below. Log on and see for yourself how dynamic the GALAXY web site is:
TEACHER AREA >>
user name: galaxy
password: learn
STUDENT AREAS >>
S.N.O.O.P.S. -- 5th grade science
user name: galaxy
password: weird
The House -- 4th grade language arts
user name: galaxy
password: read
Fixer Uppers -- 2nd grade science
user name: galaxy
password: whatif
Finders Seekers -- kindergarten and 1st grade science
user name: galaxy
password: science
Visit the GALAXY Classroom web site and get GALAXY information delivered directly to your desktop.
In the student areas students will find scores of opportunities to expand their investigations. A separate area is set up for each curriculum. Your students will have access to the characters on the programs through "fan e-mail." Even parents will find take-home investigations that relate to what their children are doing in their GALAXY Classrooms at school. Student work from all over North America is posted on the site, providing an exciting opportunity for students to see their work as well as the responses from their peers all over the GALAXY.
To enter the web sites you will need the user names and passwords listed below. Log on and see for yourself how dynamic the GALAXY web site is:
TEACHER AREA >>
user name: galaxy
password: learn
STUDENT AREAS >>
S.N.O.O.P.S. -- 5th grade science
user name: galaxy
password: weird
The House -- 4th grade language arts
user name: galaxy
password: read
Fixer Uppers -- 2nd grade science
user name: galaxy
password: whatif
Finders Seekers -- kindergarten and 1st grade science
user name: galaxy
password: science
Visit the GALAXY Classroom web site and get GALAXY information delivered directly to your desktop.
Wednesday, January 12, 2000
In Perpetuity Programming
For the past two years, PeachStar has been acquiring programming that Georgia schools may record and keep in perpetuity - that is, you may keep a copy in your school library and check it out to teachers, parents and students forever. Some of the series were either produced or bought by PeachStar and are permanent additions to our collection. Those are always available to you to tape, keep and use for as long as you wish. Other series we are leasing for a certain period of time. Schools may use these leased series in perpetuity too, but only if they are taped from PeachStar before the end of the period covered under the lease agreement. Below you will find a list of series that schools may tape from PeachStar and keep in perpetuity. Those that are being leased are so designated. The leased programs will not be aired by PeachStar after May 31, 2000, so be sure to tape them before that date.
If there is other programming you would like to add to your in perpetuity collection, let us know and we will contact the producers or distributers to see if that is possible.
Economics
Marketplace: Explaining the Stock Market
Gr 9-12, 1 Program (Lease)
Money Maze
Gr 6-12, 12 Programs
Foreign Language
SALSA
Gr K-3, 42 Programs
Guidance
Ultimate Choice
Gr 6-12, 1 Program
Driving Ambition
Gr 9-12, 1 Program
Multiple Choice
Gr 9-12, 1 Program
The Parenting Principle
Gr 9-Adult, 1 Program
History
The Great American Christmas Tree
Gr K-12, 1 Program (Lease)
American History Collection
Gr 3-8, 4 Programs (Lease)
The People's House
Gr 3-12, 1 Program
"We the People": The Story of the Constitution
Gr 4-8, 1 Program (Lease)
Georgia Stories I & II
Gr 4 -12, 37 Programs
The Declaration of Independence
Gr 5-8, 1 Program
The New England Colonists: Pilgrims & Puritans
Gr 5-8, 1 Program
The American Civil War
Gr 5-9, 4 Programs
George Washington Carver
Gr 5-12, 1 Program
The American Revolution
Gr 6-12, 1 Program (Lease)
America's Westward Expansion
Gr 6-12, 1 Program (Lease)
A More Perfect Union: The Three Branches of the Federal Government
Gr 6-12, 3 Programs (Lease)
We Shall Overcome: A History of the Civil Rights Movement
Gr 6-12, 1 Program (Lease)
Colonizing The American West
Gr 7-12, 1 Program
Great Black Innovators
Gr 7-12, 1 Program
Electing A President
Gr 8-12, 1 Program (Lease)
The Holocaust: A Teenager's Experience
Gr 9-12, 1 Program
Journalism
Reading the Newspaper Intelligently
Gr 8-12, 1 Program (Lease)
Language Arts
Favorite Author Collection
Gr 3-8, 5 Programs (Lease)
Famous Authors
Gr 9-12, 10 Programs (Lease)
Math
Count On It!
Gr K-3, 20 Programs
Science
Coastal Naturalist I & II
Gr 5-12, 10 Programs
If there is other programming you would like to add to your in perpetuity collection, let us know and we will contact the producers or distributers to see if that is possible.
Economics
Marketplace: Explaining the Stock Market
Gr 9-12, 1 Program (Lease)
Money Maze
Gr 6-12, 12 Programs
Foreign Language
SALSA
Gr K-3, 42 Programs
Guidance
Ultimate Choice
Gr 6-12, 1 Program
Driving Ambition
Gr 9-12, 1 Program
Multiple Choice
Gr 9-12, 1 Program
The Parenting Principle
Gr 9-Adult, 1 Program
History
The Great American Christmas Tree
Gr K-12, 1 Program (Lease)
American History Collection
Gr 3-8, 4 Programs (Lease)
The People's House
Gr 3-12, 1 Program
"We the People": The Story of the Constitution
Gr 4-8, 1 Program (Lease)
Georgia Stories I & II
Gr 4 -12, 37 Programs
The Declaration of Independence
Gr 5-8, 1 Program
The New England Colonists: Pilgrims & Puritans
Gr 5-8, 1 Program
The American Civil War
Gr 5-9, 4 Programs
George Washington Carver
Gr 5-12, 1 Program
The American Revolution
Gr 6-12, 1 Program (Lease)
America's Westward Expansion
Gr 6-12, 1 Program (Lease)
A More Perfect Union: The Three Branches of the Federal Government
Gr 6-12, 3 Programs (Lease)
We Shall Overcome: A History of the Civil Rights Movement
Gr 6-12, 1 Program (Lease)
Colonizing The American West
Gr 7-12, 1 Program
Great Black Innovators
Gr 7-12, 1 Program
Electing A President
Gr 8-12, 1 Program (Lease)
The Holocaust: A Teenager's Experience
Gr 9-12, 1 Program
Journalism
Reading the Newspaper Intelligently
Gr 8-12, 1 Program (Lease)
Language Arts
Favorite Author Collection
Gr 3-8, 5 Programs (Lease)
Famous Authors
Gr 9-12, 10 Programs (Lease)
Math
Count On It!
Gr K-3, 20 Programs
Science
Coastal Naturalist I & II
Gr 5-12, 10 Programs
Saturday, January 1, 2000
The Going the Distance Tele-Learning Consortium
A strategic partnership of Georgia Public Broadcasting, institutions of the University System of Georgia, and Georgia G.L.O.B.E.(Georgia Learning Online for Business and Education)
A 1998 study commissioned by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and a 1999 study commissioned by Georgia G.L.O.B.E., confirm the need and the opportunity to deploy technology on behalf of learning for Georgians. A survey of 500 registered voters statewide revealed:
* 50 percent of all respondents (including 30 percent of Georgians over age 60) were interested in attending a college or university during the next three years either to earn a degree or to take non-credit courses;
* 62 percent expressed interest in pursuing a degree in computer science or information technology during the next three years;
* 66 percent of respondents indicated that they had access to the Internet from home, work or both, and 55 percent expressed a willingness to take college credit or professional development courses via the Internet if offered by one of Georgia's 34 public colleges and universities; and
* 52 percent would take a video-based college credit or professional development course if offered over GPB's educational network.
Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and the University System of Georgia are planning together to improve access to postsecondary learning for Georgians statewide by using existing and emerging technologies, including open air broadcast, cable and satellite television and video delivered over the Internet. One effort under discussion is the Going the Distance Tele-Learning Consortium. Individual institutions in the University System will coordinate telecourse offerings based, in part, on content provided by the Public Broadcasting Service's (PBS) Going the Distance and Ready To Earn initiatives and broadcast over GPB's expanded broadcast network. Initial course offerings scheduled for summer 2000 will satisfy most of the freshman and sophomore requirements of the University System.
The consortium will provide all support services needed to assist students enrolled in telecourses. In addition, four-year institutions will work with two-year campuses to ensure that students have access to services nearest the students' homes or places of work.
Georgia G.L.O.B.E., an initiative of the University System, and GPB will collaborate in providing marketing throughout the state to increase awareness of the expanded availability of postsecondary learning from the University System institutions. The two organizations will work together to secure a statewide broadcast license from PBS, thereby avoiding the costs of individual institutional licenses. GPB will provide production and broadcast services for the consortium.
The consortium builds on and compliments the Board of Regents June 1999 directive launching Georgia G.L.O.B.E. to use technology-based learning to:
* expand access to quality postsecondary education and thereby increase the numbers of Georgians earning degrees in occupational fields of strategic importance to the state's economic development;
* pool and leverage Georgia's educational and technological assets; and
* avoid unnecessary duplication of effort among University System institutions and among state agencies.
PeachStar Education Services looks forward to its very active involvement in the work of this new and exciting consortium.
A 1998 study commissioned by Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and a 1999 study commissioned by Georgia G.L.O.B.E., confirm the need and the opportunity to deploy technology on behalf of learning for Georgians. A survey of 500 registered voters statewide revealed:
* 50 percent of all respondents (including 30 percent of Georgians over age 60) were interested in attending a college or university during the next three years either to earn a degree or to take non-credit courses;
* 62 percent expressed interest in pursuing a degree in computer science or information technology during the next three years;
* 66 percent of respondents indicated that they had access to the Internet from home, work or both, and 55 percent expressed a willingness to take college credit or professional development courses via the Internet if offered by one of Georgia's 34 public colleges and universities; and
* 52 percent would take a video-based college credit or professional development course if offered over GPB's educational network.
Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and the University System of Georgia are planning together to improve access to postsecondary learning for Georgians statewide by using existing and emerging technologies, including open air broadcast, cable and satellite television and video delivered over the Internet. One effort under discussion is the Going the Distance Tele-Learning Consortium. Individual institutions in the University System will coordinate telecourse offerings based, in part, on content provided by the Public Broadcasting Service's (PBS) Going the Distance and Ready To Earn initiatives and broadcast over GPB's expanded broadcast network. Initial course offerings scheduled for summer 2000 will satisfy most of the freshman and sophomore requirements of the University System.
The consortium will provide all support services needed to assist students enrolled in telecourses. In addition, four-year institutions will work with two-year campuses to ensure that students have access to services nearest the students' homes or places of work.
Georgia G.L.O.B.E., an initiative of the University System, and GPB will collaborate in providing marketing throughout the state to increase awareness of the expanded availability of postsecondary learning from the University System institutions. The two organizations will work together to secure a statewide broadcast license from PBS, thereby avoiding the costs of individual institutional licenses. GPB will provide production and broadcast services for the consortium.
The consortium builds on and compliments the Board of Regents June 1999 directive launching Georgia G.L.O.B.E. to use technology-based learning to:
* expand access to quality postsecondary education and thereby increase the numbers of Georgians earning degrees in occupational fields of strategic importance to the state's economic development;
* pool and leverage Georgia's educational and technological assets; and
* avoid unnecessary duplication of effort among University System institutions and among state agencies.
PeachStar Education Services looks forward to its very active involvement in the work of this new and exciting consortium.
Sunday, December 5, 1999
Helpful Hints
These suggestions were submitted by David Taggart, a 5th grade teacher in Muscogee County, who has been using PeachStar video resources in his classroom for six years.
Teaching to the Tube
* Preview what you're going to show in the classroom. You need to see what is going to be shown. This allows you to plan what you need to emphasize and reinforce. And you know what your class is like. The PeachStar Program Guide is very good, but it is not perfect. A program listed as "Grades 2 to 5" may not really be suitable for a high-performing 4th grade class.
* Tape it; don't show it live. Teaching from a VCR allows you better control for instruction. You can stop the action on the television, go into discussion, and then return to the tube. Not to mention fast-forwarding through the boring parts.
* Get a wall-mount for the TV and the VCR. They only run a hundred bucks or so, and they put the action up high, where it can be seen across the classroom. Plus, mounting them that high allows you to roam the classroom and stand by your problem children, able to control the action with your remote control.
Thanks to David Taggart for taking the time to share his good ideas with colleagues across the state. Send your Helpful Hints to Wagers Chenault by phone at (404) 685-2588, or e-mail wchenault@gpb.org, or fax to (404) 685-2556, or mail to 260 14th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Include your name, title (with grades and subjects taught, if you are a classroom teacher), your school and system, and a phone number or other contact information.
Teaching to the Tube
* Preview what you're going to show in the classroom. You need to see what is going to be shown. This allows you to plan what you need to emphasize and reinforce. And you know what your class is like. The PeachStar Program Guide is very good, but it is not perfect. A program listed as "Grades 2 to 5" may not really be suitable for a high-performing 4th grade class.
* Tape it; don't show it live. Teaching from a VCR allows you better control for instruction. You can stop the action on the television, go into discussion, and then return to the tube. Not to mention fast-forwarding through the boring parts.
* Get a wall-mount for the TV and the VCR. They only run a hundred bucks or so, and they put the action up high, where it can be seen across the classroom. Plus, mounting them that high allows you to roam the classroom and stand by your problem children, able to control the action with your remote control.
Thanks to David Taggart for taking the time to share his good ideas with colleagues across the state. Send your Helpful Hints to Wagers Chenault by phone at (404) 685-2588, or e-mail wchenault@gpb.org, or fax to (404) 685-2556, or mail to 260 14th Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. Include your name, title (with grades and subjects taught, if you are a classroom teacher), your school and system, and a phone number or other contact information.
Sunday, November 7, 1999
PeachStar Partners with the Department of Juvenile Justice
In early June, Orlando Martinez , the new Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), was in our facility taping Georgia Week in Review, one of GeorgiaPublic Television's popular public affairs programs. Alert PeachStar staff took advantage of that opportunity to acquaint the Commissioner with the potential of the PeachStar Satellite Network. All Youth Development Centers (YDCs), which areDJJ's facilities for incarcerated youth, are equipped with satellite dishes and are therefore ideally suited to take advantage of PeachStar's instructional programming.
Since that first meeting, PeachStar and DJJ staff have identified several ways the two organizations can work together. Activities will focus on training principals and faculties at YDCs to use PeachStar programs and services to meet the needs of incarcerated youth. Other professional development opportunities, including upgrading teacher certification, can also be delivered direct to DJJ faculty and staff via PeachStar. This will be a tremendous help to DJJ faculty whose students are with them year round.
PeachStar and DJJ see a tremendous potential for using distance learning to reach out and serve some of Georgia's students who are most in need of a quality education.
Since that first meeting, PeachStar and DJJ staff have identified several ways the two organizations can work together. Activities will focus on training principals and faculties at YDCs to use PeachStar programs and services to meet the needs of incarcerated youth. Other professional development opportunities, including upgrading teacher certification, can also be delivered direct to DJJ faculty and staff via PeachStar. This will be a tremendous help to DJJ faculty whose students are with them year round.
PeachStar and DJJ see a tremendous potential for using distance learning to reach out and serve some of Georgia's students who are most in need of a quality education.
Tuesday, November 2, 1999
PeachStar Adds a New Channel
In the past, PeachStar's primary channel has been 410, and most of the 410 schedule has been dedicated to serving K-12 classrooms, with some staff development and postsecondary programming offered afternoons and evenings. Channel 430 has been an "occasional" use@ channel, which PeachStar has used from time to time to air blockfeeds and programming that wouldn't fit on Channel 410. Other parties, including commercial clients, also have used the 430 channel when it was available.
* As of now, both 410 and 430 will be used exclusively by PeachStar.
* PeachStar Channel 410 will continue to provide programming for early childhood education, grades Pre K - 12, and professional development for teachers, media specialists, and school administrators.
* PeachStar Channel 430 will be used to provide customized broadcast schedules through the very popular Video on Request service. Channel 430 will also air programming for postsecondary students attending colleges, universities and technical institutes as well as broadcasts aimed at adult learners including continuing education and adult literacy.
More Good News: Georgia Public Television (GPTV), which broadcasts programming to all Georgia homes, soon will expand its broadcast day to a full 24 hours, six days a week. The target date for this expansion of service is January 3, 2000. PeachStar's instructional programming will make up a significant portion of GPTV's overnight schedule. This will allow Georgians without special satellite receivers to take advantage of PeachStar's video resources.
With these changes in place, PeachStar can more fully realize its mission - "to broadcast quality programming to learners of all ages and support services to those who assist the learners"
* As of now, both 410 and 430 will be used exclusively by PeachStar.
* PeachStar Channel 410 will continue to provide programming for early childhood education, grades Pre K - 12, and professional development for teachers, media specialists, and school administrators.
* PeachStar Channel 430 will be used to provide customized broadcast schedules through the very popular Video on Request service. Channel 430 will also air programming for postsecondary students attending colleges, universities and technical institutes as well as broadcasts aimed at adult learners including continuing education and adult literacy.
More Good News: Georgia Public Television (GPTV), which broadcasts programming to all Georgia homes, soon will expand its broadcast day to a full 24 hours, six days a week. The target date for this expansion of service is January 3, 2000. PeachStar's instructional programming will make up a significant portion of GPTV's overnight schedule. This will allow Georgians without special satellite receivers to take advantage of PeachStar's video resources.
With these changes in place, PeachStar can more fully realize its mission - "to broadcast quality programming to learners of all ages and support services to those who assist the learners"
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