Langstaff Secondary School held its first video conference in November with author John Wilson, which was followed up with one with author Lawrence Hill, who was at Dr. John M. Denison school.
Newmarket
October 09, 2008 11:25 PM
By: Teresa Latchford
Technology continues to help close the gap between schools and open the doors to a new type of learning.
Dr. John M. Denison Secondary School students enjoyed having guest speaker Lawrence Hill, author of The Book of Negroes, read from his novel, discuss the writing process and answer questions.
While he was at the school, students from Newmarket High School and Langstaff Secondary School were able to tuned-in digitally.
High-capacity online video links allowed students in all three schools to ask questions, listen to the author and interact each other.
“It allows us to use an expert in Toronto and move him into classrooms in rural communities,” manager of innovative learning for the public school board Janet Murphy said.
The opportunities are endless as the technology helps break down the walls of a traditional classroom, allowing students to experience more and interact with a more worldly community, she added. Not having to reinvent the wheel in each school allows students and teachers to access learning opportunities, which would not otherwise be available.
In the past, students have used the technology, which connects high schools, colleges and universities across the province, to digitally sit in on an autopsy and knee surgery in real time.
Students found the technology added a little something different to a traditional lecture.
“I thought it was great,” Grade 12 student Erin Woodroof said. “It was more hands-on being able to see the other schools and being able to meet (Lawrence Hill).”
“I would absolutely do the video conference again. It was enriching. They just needed to incorporate the students more. The technology was wicked,” classmate Mitch Daurio said.
Schools have stigmas and notions about one another, he explained. Being able to interact with those outside of his own school community added to the idea pool and might give him and other students a different opinion about one another.
The learning experience doesn’t stop at the presentation. Mr. Hill will continue to answer questions from students using an interactive blog over the coming weeks and the video will be archived so students from across Canada can have access.
Mr. Hill, found the technology intriguing, feeling the presentation was more dynamic because he was able to pull up links to information and have a larger audience.
— With files from Caitlin Zeran