Colleagues,
Please help us circulate this Call for Proposals for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2008 to those who may be interested in your areas.
- Deadline for presenter proposals - November 9, 2007
We look forward to your involvement!
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WHAT IS MEGACONFERENCE JR.?
Megaconference Jr., now in its fifth year, is a project designed to give students in elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real time, using advanced multi-point video conferencing technology. Presenters design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on both academic and cultural issues. Participants are able to address questions to presenters and to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness.
HOW IS THIS YEAR DIFFERENT?
As we celebrate our fifth anniversary we would like to thank everyone for making this such a successful event. We have exceeded all of our initial goals and objectives. We have made connections, built collaborations and begun to understand our cultural differences and similarities. With our new understandings we hope to continue to build respect for our differences and a willingness to work together to find answers and solutions to the questions of our times. We encourage you to look at your community, region or nation and identify issues that not only affect you but others around the world. As global citizens, can we
begin talking and working together to make positive changes in the world? As you begin planning your presentations and proposals for this year you might want to think of these ideas and how we can make this 5 Year Anniversary Megaconference Jr. event even better by further addressing these global questions and concerns that face us all. Of course, we always welcome presentations dealing with cultural exchanges, music/art/video exchanges and projects or innovative classroom practices.
WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE?
The event will be on February 21, 2008, and it will run from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm EST (UTC-5). The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours. We strongly encourage schools to open up participation to parents, administrators, and the community and to stay connected for as long as possible so that they can actively participate with sites from around the world in different time-zones. Museums and libraries are especially encouraged to invite children, library patrons, and the community at large to participate during non-school hours.
HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE?
You can propose a 20-25 min. interactive presentation or showcase an interesting collaboration project that you have been doing in your school. You can also suggest activities that could be organized at "downtimes" between the blocks of presentations. You can also sign up as an "Interactive" site once the final schedule is posted. Or, you can join us as participants with no special presentation given from your site.
WHO CAN BE A PRESENTER?
Students, students, and more students (with a little help from their teachers and tech folks, of course) can be presenters. Presentations with multiple sites (of students!) are strongly encouraged.
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL?
The proposal submission process has been streamlined again this year to ensure a successful conference for all. Anyone who wishes to submit a proposal can register as a presenter for Megaconference Jr. 2008 at
http://www.megaconferencejr.org/?id=registration
HOW WILL PROPOSALS BE EVALUATED?
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Title: The title is catchy and unique and related to the objective of the presentation.
2. Presentation is Related to Theme: Student presentations should focus on academic or cultural issues and incorporate global awareness and collaboration.
3. Collaboration/Interactivity: The ideal presentation should include collaboration with students in another geographic location. If your project includes another site please identify that in the "Overview"
section of the proposal submission form.
4. Creativity/Uniqueness: The presentation is delivered in a creative way and presents a different or unique topic.
5. Multimedia: Without distracting from the proposal objectives, the students use a variety of media resources and appropriate distance learning activities.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
Most sites will need Internet2 or comparable high-speed connection and access to H.323 video-conferencing equipment. Presentations must be made using H.323 technology, preferably at 768 Kbps, and they will be made from the presenter's location. Presentations with multiple remote presenters are encouraged (see evaluation criteria above).
WOULD I BE ABLE TO REHEARSE?
Yes, all presenters will be required to hold at least one dress rehearsal, preferably with their interactive sites, prior to the event to rehearse and refine their presentations.
HOW TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:
Presenter registration and subsequent proposal submission should be completed online at:
http://megaconferencejr.org/?id=registration
DEADLINE:
Submit your presenter proposal(s) by November 9, 2007.
(If you are unable to submit by this date due to special circumstances such as extended holiday break, please let us know and we will do everything possible to accommodate your schedule.)
You might be interested to know that JANET Training will be running the following one day courses on Videoconferencing;
Introduction to Videoconferencing
<http://www.ja.net/services/training/courses/vc-intro.html> - October 31st - University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh
The aim of this course is to prepare delegates for using videoconferencing by familiarising them with the equipment and addressing the issues that they may encounter. It will provide practical advice on planning and manging a videoconference and how to make best use of the conference room. The course will be relevant to anyone taking part in videoconferencing whether that is meetings or teaching activities. For those supporting videoconferencing in their organisation, this course give s a broad overview of what is available and how it works. Perhaps more importantly it will give an appreciation of what using VC facilities actually feels like and what the issues can be so they can best support other users. The course will include participation in a number of short videoconferences.
Technical Support of Videoconferencing
<http://www.ja.net/services/training/courses/vc-tech.html> - November 1st - University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh
Within the context of national JANET services, this course will provide a useful introduction to the technical aspects of videoconferencing. It includes an overview of the components of a videoconferencing network, details of how to set up a videoconference facility within your organisation and how to manage these facilities.
This is supported by details of how to make the most of existing facilities and tips on ongoing management and support of users. This course will focus on good practice and technical theory, it does not cover technical configuration of videoconferencing components.
Cost (per delegate per course, including VAT):
Primary Connected Organisations : 180 pounds Interconnect Connected Sites: 200 pounds Commercial Companies Supporting JANET Sites: 275 pounds
Full details of these categories are available on our web site at www.ja.net/training/prices.html . Payment can be made by credit card or organisations can be invoiced.
Discounts are also available through the JANET Training Credits Scheme see www.ja.net/training/prices.html for further details.
To book a place, simply follow the link on our web site at http://www.ja.net/services/training/schedule/schedule-date.html
<http://www.ja.net/services/training/schedule/schedule-date.html> , or contact us on 01235 822323.
Further information on all courses and venues is available at www.ja.net/training <http://www.ja.net/training>
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JANET Training
01235 822323
training@ja.net
www.ja.net/training
JANET(UK) is a trading name of The JNT Association, a company limited by guarantee which is registered in England under No. 2881024 and whose Registered Office is at Lumen House, Library Avenue, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire. OX11 0SG
Wakefield LA, YHGfL and the National Coal Mining Museum have been working together to develop a videoconference programme, initially primary schools. I’ve attached a brief overview of the two sessions available – both free of charge. The system is all set up at the museum, including green screen technology, and ready to go – all that is now needed are bookings from schools! There has been some successful piloting of these sessions.
The museum has prepared detailed pre and post videoconference support materials that we feel are of a very high standard.
We would appreciate your support in promoting these sessions. Brochures have been sent to 7000 local schools but these do not always find the right person. Could you please contact your active teachers to encourage them to use these sessions?
Please feel free to contact Jayne Ambrose at the museum for more information - jayne.ambrose@ncm.org.uk
Many thanks