Legislature(2017 - 2018)BUTROVICH 205
02/24/2017 08:00 AM Senate EDUCATION
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Public Hearing on Virtual Education in Alaska; Kenai Peninsula Borough School District | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE EDUCATION STANDING COMMITTEE
February 24, 2017
8:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Gary Stevens
Senator John Coghill
Senator Cathy Giessel
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Tom Begich
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PUBLIC HEARING ON VIRTUAL EDUCATION IN ALASKA; KENAI PENINSULA
BOROUGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
ROB SPARKS, Teacher
Soldotna Prep School
Kenai Peninsula Borough School District
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on virtual education
in Soldotna Prep School.
GREG ZORBAS, Teacher
Kenai Borough School District
Kenai, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on virtual education
in the Kenai Borough School District.
ANNMARIE O'BRIEN, Superintendent
Northwest Arctic Borough School District (NWABSD)
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced members from her district to
testify on virtual education.
AMY EAKIN, Director of Technology
Parent
Northwest Arctic Borough School District (NWABSD)
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented information on virtual education
in NWABSD.
KIANA NORTON, Student
Kotzebue High School
Kotzebue, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Presented a student's perspective of the
advantages of virtual education.
TREVOR SHAW, President
Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board
Ketchikan Borough School District
Ketchikan, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared his experience as a former
homeschooled student in Ketchikan School District.
SUMMER LAZENBY, Parent
Director
Educational Operations
Challenger Learning Center
Kenai Peninsula School District
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared her experience as a parent of a
student who participated in virtual education.
ALICIA MARLOW, Parent
Kenai Peninsula School District
Soldotna, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared her experience as a parent of a
student who participated in virtual education.
MONICA GOYETTE, Assistant Superintendent
Mat-Su Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Introduced testifiers from Mat-Su School
District.
JEANETTE PERDUE, Parent
Mat-Su Borough School District
Palmer, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared her family's experience with online
learning.
GRACE PEDERSON, Student
Mat-Su Borough School District
Wasilla, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared positive experiences with Apex and
online education.
GRETCHEN MITCHELL, Student
West High School
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Shared her experience with technology in the
classroom.
DEENE MITCHELL, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified in support of virtual education
opportunities.
JUDY ELEDGE, representing herself
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Discussed the relationship between technical
education in classrooms and freeing teachers to teach reading to
low achieving students.
ACTION NARRATIVE
8:00:35 AM
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES called the Senate Education Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Present at the call to
order were Senator Stevens and Chair Hughes. Senator Coghill
arrived shortly thereafter.
^Public Hearing on Virtual Education in Alaska; Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District
Public Hearing on Virtual Education in Alaska; Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District
8:01:38 AM
CHAIR HUGHES announced that the committee would be hearing from
students at the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District about
Video Tele Communications (VTC) in the classroom and also would
be hearing public testimony about virtual education programs in
Alaska.
8:02:51 AM
ROB SPARKS, Teacher, Soldotna Prep School, Kenai Peninsula
Borough School District, presented information on virtual
education in Soldotna Prep School. He said his students would be
participating in the presentation.
8:03:41 AM
GREG ZORBAS, Teacher, Kenai Borough School District, presented
information on virtual education in the Kenai Borough School
District.
MR. SPARKS introduced the student presentation on Video Tele
Communications (VTC).
MR. ZORBAS echoed Mr. Sparks' comments. He noted the
presentation is student-driven.
8:06:04 AM
The students began their presentation.
The first topic was on unique differences and the advantages of
a broader perspective from Video Tele Communication (VTC)
because students get to meet new people and learn about their
way of living from their point of view. They also get to hear
other people's opinions about cultural conflicts and engage in
virtual face-to-face communication. Finally, they can learn more
about geography around the world.
8:06:33 AM
Students addressed differences in cultures. They have learned
how to respect others and their beliefs and to be sensitive to
their diversity. Students demonstrate mutual respect during
their presentations. Learning about other cultures opens views
on how the rest of the world is treated and how well students
have it in America. It provides better socializing skills and
higher social awareness.
8:07:01 AM
Students discussed their experiences in a more hands-on working
environment. They collaborate in research projects and play the
Ghana Game to learn about different cultures. They also use
Kahoot for tests and as a fun learning game. They make use of
their VTC skills.
8:08:25 AM
MR. ZORBUS noted the students will be asking committee members
to participate in Kahoot.
The student continued with examples of how they use applied
communication skills, such as learning in a "room without
walls." They learn how to ask questions by being engaged in the
discussion and they use active listening.
8:09:37 AM
Students explained that video conferencing allows collaboration
with a partner classroom, such as with virtual teams, projects,
activities, co-teaching, and intra and interdisciplinary
classes. They collaborate with all age groups.
8:10:15 AM
Students described the Ghana Game.
8:11:06 AM
SENATOR COGHILL asked to see the students on full screen.
MR. ZORBA directed the members to regroup.
8:13:19 AM
Students discussed good examples of student engagement and
collaboration, such as partner classrooms with virtual teams and
projects. There are question and answer opportunities with
speakers and presenters. They talked about Padlet and Kahoot
that connect to people around the world. They have meet and
greet presentations and mystery quests/Skype.
8:16:01 AM
MR. ZORBAS directed committee members to go to the Padlet link
and tell the class what an innovative classroom should look
like.
CHAIR HUGHES noted the senators were participating.
8:17:06 AM
A student described Kahoot and invited the committee members to
participate in a short game.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if they need to download the application.
8:17:58 AM
MR. SPARKS said Kahoot asks for a game code.
CHAIR HUGHES asked for the game pin number.
MR. ZORBA said at the end of the presentation the committee
would be given the game code.
8:19:04 AM
Students described video conferencing skills and experiences.
They said they gain better communication skills, confidence, and
understanding and see how video conferencing can be used in
various fields. They work in groups and in group settings and
learn etiquette and active listening skills.
Students spoke of the use of video conferencing technology in
various fields, such as telehealth and movie and television
production. They also used video conferencing with school
administrators and with many people around the globe.
8:20:59 AM
Students spoke of the benefits of video conferencing, such as
saving money by reducing travel costs. Colleges and jobs will be
more interested in students who have video conferencing skills.
They are learning about various cultures and about other
perspectives on various topics. Video conferencing sets students
apart from other students.
8:22:45 AM
CHAIR HUGHES noted the arrival of Senator Giessel.
MR. KORBUS announced that they will now plan Kahoot.
8:23:42 AM
CHAIR HUGHES said the game pin is available and anyone can
participate.
8:24:50 AM
The members and students played Kahoot, a short game showing
examples of VTC in the classroom. It began with questions to
answer, such as how students can benefit from VTC in the
classroom.
8:28:36 AM
MR. SPARKS concluded that VTC allows students to share resources
and take classes from other districts. Rural educators are very
interested in doing that. They are trying to find ways to expand
VTC.
8:30:07 AM
MR. ZORBUS noted a need for both types of online distance
education. He opened the session for questions.
8:30:43 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said the presentation was very impressive and
the skills such as listening and being involved and knowing what
is going on in the community are very important. He thought the
class involved citizenship and civics. He asked if any students
plan to vote.
8:31:34 AM
Several students replied that they did.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if they have microphones, how the classroom
is different from a regular classroom, and how the room is set
up.
8:32:46 AM
OLIVIA explained that there are two TVs and two cameras in the
room with a microphone hanging from the ceiling. Often they use
smartboards for content.
MR. SPARKS asked them to explain the small group sessions.
OLIVIA explained that there are cameras and microphones on their
laptops; they also use headphones to communicate.
8:34:32 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the map of the world came from their
class.
8:34:58 AM
ASHLEY replied that the map is from Padlet and you can do it all
over the world, but they have done it just in the classroom.
8:35:37 AM
MR. ZORBUS offered to pull up a slide that shows student
connections.
SENATOR COGHILL thanked the students and teachers and noted
their use of communication styles. He asked for the protocol
issues that help or frustrate learning with VTC.
8:36:45 AM
OLIVIA said there are challenges connecting with others and the
lines are sometimes busy. There are also positives - good
quality video and audio.
8:37:38 AM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the advantages outweigh the challenges.
OLIVIA said sometimes because they have extra time to practice
what they are going to say.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Mr. Zorba the same question.
8:38:31 AM
MR. ZORBUS said they have been doing VTC for 10-12 years. The
advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The difficulties are far
and few between now compared to previous years. They have one of
the best IT people in their district.
He showed the committee a map of all places the Soldotna
students connected with in the first semester.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the students and teachers.
8:41:20 AM
CHAIR HUGHES opened public testimony. She asked several
questions of consumers of education: whether virtual education
should be promoted and what potential it might have, if the
quality of education would be improved by using technology, and
whether there would be greater access to great teachers. She
welcomed written testimony from those who could not testify
today. She asked if virtual education is something that would be
good for students and should be advanced. She noted it is not a
hearing on education funding.
8:42:26 AM
ANNMARIE O'BRIEN, Superintendent, Northwest Arctic Borough
School District (NWABSD), Kotzebue, introduced members from her
district to testify on virtual education.
8:43:27 AM
AMY EAKIN, Director of Technology, Parent, Northwest Arctic
Borough School District (NWABSD), presented information on
virtual education in NWABSD. She described the changes in
technology since 1997. She said her six children's education has
been greatly broadened by virtual education courses in the
district. They also provide VTC which allows for districtwide
courses. She agreed that virtual education should be grown to
allow students access to a broader range of experiences.
8:44:37 AM
KIANA NORTON, Student, Kotzebue High School, presented a
student's perspective of the advantages of virtual education. It
allows students to take online courses or participate in VTC. It
allows her to take Japanese, not offered at her school, and it
provides flexibility in scheduling coursework.
8:46:40 AM
TREVOR SHAW, President, Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board,
Ketchikan Borough School District, shared his experience as a
former homeschooled student in Ketchikan School District. He
described the advantages of his virtual education. He shared
information about Fast Track and the Alaska Digital Academy. He
said education has multiple aspects, is sustainable and
efficient. It provides the opportunity for students to take
control of their education. It promotes success.
8:50:52 AM
SUMMER LAZENBY, Parent, Director, Educational Operations,
Challenger Learning Center, Kenai Peninsula School District,
shared her experience as a parent of a student who participated
in virtual education. She listed the advantages of VTC,
especially the connections with international sites. It provided
her daughter an opportunity to communicate unfiltered one-on-one
with other students and improved her "soft skills" such as
communication and teamwork.
8:53:22 AM
ALICIA MARLOW, Parent, Kenai Peninsula School District, shared
her experience as a parent of a student who participated in
virtual education. She shared her experience in a pioneering
family and her daughter's involvement in pioneering VTC at
school. She listed the advantages of VTC. She spoke of her
experience with VTC as a UAA student. Students' involvement in
VTC prepares them for college in many ways, as well as having an
economic benefit.
8:56:26 AM
MONICA GOYETTE, Assistant Superintendent, Mat-Su Borough School
District, introduced testifiers from Mat-Su School District. She
said they would discuss how virtual education can meet diverse
student needs and locations.
JEANETTE PERDUE, Parent, Mat-Su Borough School District, shared
her family's experience with online learning. She described her
experience as a parent, teacher, and aunt. She stressed the
importance of the human connection and virtual education. She
listed examples and advantages of online classes. She concluded
that their school district is providing a great justice to all
students by using online learning. It must include the
involvement of loving, caring adults.
9:02:52 AM
GRACE PEDERSON, Student, Mat-Su Borough School District, shared
positive experiences with Apex and online education. She listed
types of classes she took and the advantages of online classes,
such as course offerings, time management, and catching up on
credits. She talked about the importance of having a personal
relationship with online teachers.
9:05:48 AM
GRETCHEN MITCHELL, Student, West High School, shared her
experience with technology in the classroom. She gave examples
of the importance of the teacher in her classrooms to motivate
her. She noted Kahoot was a fun game in English. She described
her experience with online classes without the presence of
teachers as something that did not work for her.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if she took two-way virtual classes.
MS. MITCHELL said no.
CHAIR HUGHES recalled the importance of human connection.
9:08:20 AM
DEENE MITCHELL, representing herself, testified in support of
virtual education opportunities. She stressed the importance of
the connection with teachers and adults. She said classes
without teachers didn't work for her children. She spoke of the
benefits of VCT in rural areas. She did not want to see funding
taken away from regular education.
9:10:55 AM
JUDY ELEDGE, representing herself, discussed the relationship
between technical education in classrooms and the freeing up of
teachers to teach reading to low achieving students. She shared
her vast experience as an educator. She stressed the need for
more teachers in elementary education. She is now a technical
coach and has a reading specialty.
She emphasized that education is no longer a one-room school
house. However, many schools in Alaska are either K-12 schools
or combinations of grades and face the impossibility of having
one teacher teach all grades. She said she has not found a
virtual classroom that can teach K-2 reading. She noted the
importance of having a teacher teach elementary students how to
read. She maintained that an advantage of a virtual classroom is
that it could free teachers to teach younger students while
older students took online classes.
9:14:58 AM
CHAIR HUGHES made a point that teachers in a K-12 school must
have a secondary teaching certificate.
9:15:22 AM
SENATOR STEVENS said he is impressed about what motivated, high
achieving students can do. He asked how virtual education can
help low achievers.
9:16:06 AM
MS. ELEDGE suggested that if students cannot read they are not
successful. She repeated the importance of virtual education
freeing up teachers to teach the low achievers, especially in
reading. Research says to target instruction for students who
cannot read for 30 minutes a day, which is not possible in a K-
12 school. She concluded that virtual education allows high
school students to work at their level using technology and
remedial students to work with a real teacher.
9:18:45 AM
CHAIR HUGHES observed that the low achieving students are the
focus of virtual classrooms. Giving them access to great
teachers and course options can motivate them to be involved.
Tim Shumway at Copper River School noted that technology allows
the learning gaps to be seen immediately. She thought virtual
education had great potential for low achieving students. She
stressed that, "We are not doing the best we can across the
state."
She noted the importance of teachers and administrators knowing
how to teach in virtual classrooms - the focus of the next
committee meeting.
9:20:48 AM
SENATOR GIESSEL thanked Chair Hughes for highlighting the fact
that education has changed and allowing members the opportunity
to change their thinking about how education is delivered.
CHAIR HUGHES made announcements about the next meeting.
9:21:46 AM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Hughes adjourned the Senate Education Standing Committee
at 9:23 a.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| VTC in the Classroom Slideshow - KPBSD.pdf |
SEDC 2/24/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Patrick Pillai Testimony.pdf |
SEDC 2/24/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Amanda Abraham Testimony.pdf |
SEDC 2/24/2017 8:00:00 AM |
|
| Links for Kenai Presentation Activities.pdf |
SEDC 2/24/2017 8:00:00 AM |