The document discusses effective distance education and training strategies by highlighting low-tech solutions for overcoming challenges related to infrastructure and geography. It emphasizes the importance of supporting remote staff through clear directions and manageable steps, while also maximizing bandwidth and organizing resources efficiently. Additionally, it encourages familiarity with technology to mitigate issues and respect the time of busy teachers.

1. Distance Education & Training
Low Tech Solutions for High Tech Success

2. www.sesa.org

3. Lessons Learned!
• Low population, vast geography
• Challenges of infrastructure.
• Goal – Instructional support and training

4. Technologies
• SKYPE
• Bridgit
• Video Conferencing (Polycom)
• WebEx
• Audio conferencing
• Google Hangouts
• Dropcam Pro

5. Work with remote site staff!
• Do not make assumptions
• Build expertise in remote site staff
• Provide support in small sequential steps
• Consider light conditions, camera angle, etc.

6. Respect teacher’s time!
• Teachers are busy
• Keep support short and to the point
• Provide clear directions
• Offer an incentive to learn the technology

7. Playing it safe!
Maximizing Bandwidth!
• Low bandwidth
• Limiting use of unnecessary multimedia
• Store video on desktop
• E-mail video ahead of time
• Time your connection

8. Organizing for efficiency
• Identify your most efficient technology
• Contact your internet provider
• Organize your room and equipment
• Get rid of clutter
• Encourage staff to play with the technology

9. The fun element
• Technology is useful when you know how it
works and you accept it will sometimes not
work when you most need it.
Thank you for your time today!