Liminet 2008-09 Master Schedule

What is "Luminet®?"
In the Broome-Tioga BOCES region, the term "distance learning" connotes far more than the mere sharing of information across a geographic distance. Instead, distance learning, or "Luminet," helps bridge the gaps in educational opportunities for students and teachers as well as the communities in which they live. With the distribution of wealth and resources often unequal, distance learning has become an increasingly important vehicle for ensuring that all children have access to educational opportunities.

This cooperative distance learning service enables participating districts to use the Luminet system, traditional or mobile distance learning classrooms (synchronous/asynchronous), and Web-assisted options (virtual school and/or Blackboard)) for student courses and staff development activities. Each participating agency is able to transmit audio and video communications to the other participating agencies and simultaneously receive audio and video communications on the fiber-optic infrastructure. Videoconferencing capabilities outside the Luminet system are available, as are Virtual schools and Blackboard Web-assisted options.

Broome-Tioga BOCES districts can connect not only with one another, but also with schools and organizations around the globe. Many organizations have interactive programs designed specifically for videoconferencing (also known as "compressed video" or "ISDN"), allowing students the opportunity to participate in "virtual" or "electronic field trips". Such organizations include NASA, the Liberty Science Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Atlanta Zoo, the Orange County Marine Institute, and the Museum of Television and Radio. Thus, students meet scientists, scholars, curators, and other students from around the world without leaving the classroom, making virtual field trips and videoconferencing highly cost-effective educational experiences.

IP-based Learning (Virutal School): Online Distance Learning
BOCES offers coordination services for schools interested in providing Web-based courses. BOCES will provide schools with information as well as assist in planning for and contracting with various vendors. Web-based learning includes courses that are completed entirely online in an asynchronous learning environment. A computer with Internet access is required.

Web-based learning (Blackboard):
This option provides software that allows teachers to use Web-based distance learning technology for Web-assisted instruction. Access to the software, teacher training, and a help desk are included in this service. This software allows teachers to post all course information online, including homework and other documents, tests and quizzes, Power Point shows and graphics. The instructor has control over the information students and/or parents can access.

The opportunity for students to connect with others will expand as more schools, universities, museums, and other organizations begin to take advantage of distance learning technology. Consequently, geographic barriers to education will become increasingly obsolete. And, as video-bridging resources become more readily available, videoconferencing between multiple sites can occur simultaneously. Moreover, the expansion of the fiber-optic network to include other distance learning infrastructures will enhance the opportunity for districts to share information and resources around the state, and provide a vehicle for collaboration and educational partnerships.