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in education

Virtual field trips, content providers, special curriculum events and school-to-school collaborations enable students to enhance their knowledge by taking classroom learning further. Experiences trigger senses – through virtual events, students are able to visually see the colours on a canvas painting, to understand why an Author wrote the character the way they did, to hear the sounds a whale makes, to emotionally relate to a holocaust survivor’s story, and to empathize with a group

On 1 March, 2011, Polycom Special Events held their first event in celebration of International Maths Day. Tenix Questacon Maths Squad created an innovative virtual learning event around math; specifically geometry, algebra and tessellation. Forty-six students in years nine and ten from The Scots College (Bellevue Hill, NSW) and Abbotsleigh Girls Grammar School (Wahroonga, NSW) participated and completed pre-organised math activities using Polycom videoconference technology. AARNet provided the back-end support and monitored the event.

Polycom’s third special event was held on Wednesday 30 March called “DISCOVER INDIA”. Coutts Crossing Public School’s grade 5 and 6 students in rural NSW connected to Questacon – the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, Australia. The students learned about India’s geography, Indian culture, festivals, customs, and even participated in a yoga lesson. They also held a discussion on Indian food and participated in a live “Science of Spices” experiment using Turmeric, a paper towel, white vinegar, baking soda and methylated spirits. The event closed with a dance workshop where the boys and girls both choreographed together in a LIVE Bollywood Dance off! Thank you to Coutts Crossing Public School for taking part in this new event.

If your school would like to take part in cultural exchanges please contact Lynnette Whitfield (see last page for contact details).

Thursday 24 March marked an event around Asian Contemporary Art Week, called “DISCOVER CHINA”. St Lorraine’s Kindergarten (aged five, in Yuen Long, China), Abbotsleigh ELC (aged four, in Wahroonga, NSW Australia) connected to AARNet and Polycom Special Events for a LIVE cultural “Art” exchange. Students practiced their English and Mandarin by asking each other questions. Abbotsleigh students shared their “Art” of music by singing Xiao Bai Tu in Mandarin (Little White Rabbit – celebrating the Year of the Rabbit). St Lorraine’s Kindergarten and Abbotsleigh ELS also counted (in English then Mandarin) from one to ten. The students from St Lorraine’s topped off the cultural exchange by sharing their “Art” of Chinese Calligraphy with a teacher instructing both schools on how to write numbers using Chinese calligraphy. The event finished with both schools singing Waltzing Matilda. Thank you to St Lorraine’s and Abbotsleigh ELC for taking part in this important event.

Why participate in Virtual Field Trips and Special Events?

of students from a war-torn country. A classroom, which connects using videoconferencing to any form of virtual experience, enables students to collect all facets of an experience and learn in new and innovative ways. Think about a student who struggles – this entertaining, informative and stimulating method may be exactly what they need to excel.

Lynnette Whitfield, Polycom Director of Education Industry Solutions, APAC

Points of Interest

V o l u m e 1 • I s s u e 4 J u N E 2 0 1 1

> Polycom Special Events – new schedule for June to September is now available

> Content Provider Program online

> Visit our stand at QuESTnet Jupiters Hotel Gold Coast

> ANu School of Music Videoconference programs

InTErnaTIonal MaThS Day DIScoVEr chIna DIScoVEr InDIa

register now for upcoming Special Events as listed on pg 2

It has been said that children, teenagers, and even adults learn more through their experiences. That is why so many schools today are integrating virtual excursions and events into their curriculum. With so many new content providers available, these programmes are gaining widespread popularity.

aarnet & Polycom Special Events launch exciting new Programmes

announcement!Polycom has won the USDLA

21st Century Best Practice

Award for Excellence in Distance

Learning 2011 for its work in the

field of distance learning ... in

particular for the Polycom Special

Events program for schools.

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JuNE

6 June: World Environment DayEvent Content Providers to include:

• Questacon – Antarctica extreme environment

• ReefHQ – The living Reef

• Green Cross Australia – The Green lane Diaries / Pre Dr Goodall Warm-up

• Abbotsleigh Centre for environment education (ACee) presents Dr Jane Goodall

8 June: World Ocean’s Day Content Providers to include:

• ReefHQ

• Green Cross Australia

20 June: Questacon • lIVe FRom ANTARCTICA (one school per state for live interaction)

21 June: Square Kilometre Array• sKA – The World’s Biggest Telescope – in our backyard? lIVe from Questacon

JuLY

6 July: Teacher Professional Development Workshops• “How to use ChromaKey technology (Green screen)” lIVe from Questacon

(National Science and Technology Centre) Studio 1:30- 2:30 GMT+10

27 July: Teacher Professional Development Workshops • How to deliver music lessons over Videoconference and understanding Polycom

LIVE MuSIC MODE

AuGuST / SEPTEMBER

15-19 August: National Science Week 2011 With Event Content Provider presenters

• CsIRo science Discovery

• Questacon National science Week event lIVe from Questacon

• 18 AuG 10.00am – 3.00pm: Victoria space science education Centre (LIVE from VSSEC)

22 August – 2nd September: Polycom 2nd Annual Literary FestivalAuthors and Workshops to include:

• 22 AuG 9.00am: Virtual BooK lAuNCH of Warambi – Aleesah Darlison

• 22 AuG 11.30am: “AsK the Illustrator” – Nina Rycroft

• 23 AuG 9.00am: Virtual BooK lAuNCH of Totally Twins – Aleesah Darlison

• 24 AuG 9.00am: NeW Book by laurine Croasdale Aussie Chomps – iHarry

• 24 AuG 11.30am: “AsK the Author” – Nina Rycroft

• 25 AuG 2.00pm: “Developing & Writing your HSC English Major Work” – Laurine Croasdale

• 30 AuG 9.00am: “Poetry Workshop” – Jeni mawter

• 1 sePT 9.00am: “Writing Adventure” – Jeni mawter

• 2 sePT 9.00am: Virtual BooK lAuNCH Ships in the Field – Suzanne Gervay

• 2 sePT 11.30am: Writers Workshop, “making stories easy” – suzanne Gervay

Where times are listed, time zone is GMT +10. Session dates and times are correct at the time of printing this Newsletter, however, they are subject to change. Please find up-to-date scheduling at www.polycom.com.au/special_events.

CSU RemoteTelescope Project

Do you want to participate in our

Special Events program but don’t have

a videoconference system yet?

ask us about our “loan” program

Polycom Special Events: June – September 2011

how to register for Polycom Special Event sessions:VISIT OuR WEBSITE www.polycom.com.au/special_events.htmlDOWNLOAD:• “HoW to Register for

CAPspace and book your Special Event”

• “HoW to Test your system for our Special Events”

for specific Polycom Special Events

Contact your Vertical Account Manager to organise your Polycom loan unit today (limited number available).

Two week FrEE Trial now available ...

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As of June 1, our Polycom equipped Content Providers programs listed on www.vccontentproviders.org include:

ReefHQ• Introduction to Australia’s Great

Barrier Reef (K-HigherEd)

• managing the Great Barrier Reef (Grade 6-12)

• The living Reef (Grade 3-6)

Questacon• The science of Australia (Grade 4-7)

Charles Sturt Remote Telescope Project• Charles sturt university Remote

Telescope (Grade 5-10)

Literature Live• Creating Cool, Kooky Characters with

Allesah Darlison (Grade 3-6)

• Date with a Picture Book with Allesah Darlison (K-Grade 3)

• literature live (Grade 3-12)

National Museum of Australia• extension History (Grade 10-12)

Green Cross Australia• extreme Weather (Grade 4-7)

• Inspiring Kids – Green lane Diaries (Grade 4-8)

Victoria Space Science Education Centre• mars Rocks (Grade K-7)

• star search (Grade 5-8)

• Primary science experiments (Teacher Professional Development)

• Foldables in science – (Teachers K-7 Professional Development)

• museum of Contemporary Art

Did you know Polycom sponsors a content Provider Database? www.vccontentproviders.org Go online and check out some of the amazing programs they are offering which are available to all schools (event if your school does not use Polycom).

Polycom conTEnT ProVIDEr Program

SHOWCASE on our 2011 Content Providers

The Museum of Contemporary Art is committed to making contemporary art accessible for a wide range of audiences. It offers a range of educational programs including major public lectures themed around MCA exhibitions, contemporary issues in the visual arts, design, architecture or film and practical and theoretical schools programs for primary, secondary and tertiary students.

In partnership with Telstra, MCA looks forward to offering virtual art excursions starting in March 2011 to schools in Australia and New Zealand.

Every day actions can, and do make a difference

It’s kids inspiring kids and putting their learning into action! Green Lane Diary (www.greenlanediary.org) is a free, national curriculum-linked education program for years 3-7) designed by Green Cross Australia and environmental educators, teaching the stresses our planet confronts and empowering children to enact changes at home, at school and in the community. Running over Term 3, students receive a diary and keep a scrapbook of their actions and projects that are making a difference. The next generation is leading the way using new media and imagination. Green Lane Diary showcases the activities of our heroes and helps kids inspire kids. From kids creating cool videos to community campaigns, it is your student’s gateway to all things sustainable, civic minded and environmental. Teacher resources, school video link ups, activities, case studies and ideas are available for schools as they encourage and nurture our future green lane heroes. Register now for term 3, email your details to info@greencrossaustralia.org or visit www.greenlanediary.org

Literature Live! is a new and innovative concept Presenting dynamic, creative writing and illustrationworkshops to schools across Australia through videoconferencing and interactive whiteboards.

Illustrator Nina Rycroft and authors Laurine Croasdale, Susanne Gervay, Aleesah Darlison and Jeni Mawter. These authors connect with classrooms to respond to questions and ideas with a personalised,collaborative approach. Between them they have published over 65 books.

Visit www.literaturelive.net for more information or contact Jeni Mawter at jeni@jenimawter.com Book Literature Live! At artconnections.org.au

Coming Soon!

Polycom doesn’t just manufacture equipment for education, we help find content and schools to collaborate with you, after you purchase it! For example let’s look at National Career Development Week (May 16-20).

To assist schools, Polycom APAC Special Events created an event to help Career Counsellors. We lined up ten career specialists to help students gain an understanding of what a particular profession does.

These specialists included; Senator Kate Lundy talking to students about a career in Politics; Professor Adrian Walter about a career in music; Zoologist, Dr Michael Kearney; Biochemist and Anti-Cancer Researcher, Dr Erinna Lee; Geologist and Palaentologist, Danielle Shean; Aerospace Engineer, Naomi Mathers; Audio, Visual and Lighting Engineer, Michael Quince; Town

Videoconference is MorE than just communicating ... it’s sharing your experiences and ideas with the world!

Development Planner for Geelong, Joanne Van Slageren; CEO/CIO of Hume Health Alliance, Dr Ed Rhode; Media Spokesperson for Telstra Corporation Craig Middleton; and Comic Legend Todd McFarlane (creator of Spawn Comics and Illustrator of Batman, Spiderman, The Incredible Hulk) who spoke about how to break into the comic and entertainment industry.

Students were able to ask questions and learned the intricacies of these professions.

“Thank you so much for the fabulous sessions that we have participated in Careers’ Week. It has been a great success at our end. Really authentic situations for the boys to hear experts speak about their own field, their day at work and their career paths. They were all well received by the boys and fostered discussions later. The Careers Counsellor has been very glad to be involved as well. I have some great photographs too for our case studies.”

Dr Jill Abell, The Hutchins School, Tasmania.

See US at ...

Visit the Polycom stand at

QuESTnet 2011

Tues 12 July to Fri 15 July

Jupiters Hotel Gold Coast

For Teachers who were unable to participate in our Career Sessions due to timing or technical difficulties, we have recorded every Career Specialists Session and these are now available to view. Contact Lynnette Whitfield for details (see back page).

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education without borders. knowledge without limits

Australia • New Zealand • Asia PacificLynnette Whitfield Director, Education Industry Solutions, APACManager of Content Provider Program and Polycom Special Eventsmobile: 0418 615 125Email: Lynnette.Whitfield@polycom.com

NSWTroy Andrew Vertical Account ManagerDirect: 02 9978 8021Email: Troy.Andrew@polycom.com

VIC • SA • TASTiffany Waugh Vertical Account ManagerDirect: 03 9935 2718 Email: Tiffany.Waugh@polycom.com

WA • NTChris Boardman WA and NT Regional Sales ManagerDirect: 08 9288 1742 Email: Chris.Boardman@polycom.com

ACTIan HatherleyACT and Federal Sales ManagerDirect: 02 9978 8074Email: Ian.Hatherley@polycom.com

Education Contacts

how to register for the

2011 Special Events

Visit the special events website

www.polycom.com.au/special_events

to see an up-to-date schedule and

follow the easy steps to register and

verify your equipment.

For more information please feel free

to contact Lynnette Whitfield ...

Email: Lynnette.whitfield@polycom.com

The Australian National university and Manhattan School of Music recently held the second event of their Distance Learning Partnership for 2011.

“Collaborative Creations across Continents” saw the world premiere of Dr Ruth Lee Martin’s new piano work The Winter It Is Past, performed by Dr Joanne Polk at the Manhattan School of Music in a live videoconference event and discussion. Dr Martin spoke about what inspired the compositional

processes for this piece and the inspiration she continues to draw from the use of folk music. Following a moving performance, Dr Polk spoke about her insights into the work from the perspective of the performer and interpreter. Audience members interacted with both composer and performer in a lively Q&A discussion following the performance.

see www.music.anu.edu.au/vc for more information and upcoming events.

anU School of Music Videoconference ProgramsCollaborative Creations across Continents

✓ Masterclasses✓ open School of Music Programs✓ Music Education PD and class ProgramsThe ANu School of Music now facilitates lessons, masterclasses, academic lectures, professional development seminars, and a host of other outreach content for access via videoconference.

Delivered by expert ANu musicians and teachers, these sessions can be provided to schools, conservatoriums, and music organisations which have videoconference technology and internet connections.

“Joanne Polk’s lecture-recital on women composers in 2010 was really inspiring. She got me fired up to create this new piano work after hearing her play - it’s wonderful how these things flow on to other creative endeavours.” Dr Ruth Lee Martin

Polycom wishes to congratulate anU School of Music and Manhattan School of Music on their recent global partnership