 I am part of a Home School Organization called “ Florida Home School Community.”  ( FHSC). We service many local home school families throughout Florida. Decline in enrollment. * Low Student attendance * Lack of Educational Technology

Web Conferencing

THE IDEA ! History of Innovation

.  PLATO : The Emergence of Online Community  PLATO was a series of educational computer terminals that originated from the University of Illinois. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, PLATO contained many features that we take for granted today like , message boards and online tests. PLATO  The fourth generation PLATO IV terminal featured a flat (and bright orange) plasma screen that students could touch to answer questions. See video of the innovation by going to the website listed below:   1972 – PLATO IV  Student using a PLATO IV terminal. Image from the University of Illinois.

 During the implementation stage, from 1973 to 1975, web conferencing featured Talkomatic, Personal Notes, and the first commercial use of multi-function conferencing system.  In 1973, Doug Brown developed Talkomatic. (Implementation stage) This was essentially the first “instant messaging” program ever designed, with multiple windows displaying typed notes in real time for several users simultaneously. In 1974, Kim Mast developed Personal Notes, a new feature for PLATO that enabled private mail for users.  In 1975, Control Data Corporation set up its own PLATO system in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first commercial use of multi-function conferencing system. Within ten years, PLATO was being used in over one hundred sites around the world, some with dedicated lines for full-time use.

In 1975, Control Data Corporation set up its own PLATO system in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first commercial use. PLATO was being used in over one hundred sites around the world, some with dedicated lines for full-time use.

 Web conference began at University of Illinois with the invention of PLATO  1972 – PLATO moved from a mainframe that supported a few users to support over a thousand users.  INSTANT MESSAGING- an added feature through a program called Talkomatic, this program offered multiple windows display, typed notes in real time for several users.  1974 – Web conference adopted for commercial use. It became the first multi-function Web Conference System used commercially.

In the late 1980’s, however, microcomputers were becoming more reasonably priced and the heyday of mainframe-based systems was over. Reasonable Priced The end of PLATO as a main frame device PLATO was no longer cost-effective. PLATO and greatly expanded on their capabilities when designing one of today’s most powerful web conferencing tools -- Lotus Notes, released in 1989 Evolution of PLATO

Place Ware Origins at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center. It was one of the first to offer full web conferencing features, which later was bought out by Microsoft in 2003 Groupware Defined by lotus Notes and more complex than the centralized software of PLATO-based system. It offered document sharing and scheduling capacities Unlimited application Increased accessibility Reduced rates Shared files One to One conferencing

 A New Era - Year 2000 On  Year 2000 saw Groove create technology that eliminated the need for user fees and offsite server storage. In 2003, WiredRed Software featured e/pop, a ‘real-time Web Conferencing suite with comprehensive features for all aspects of the industry – “it was the first installable web conferencing software with no significant install time.” The Napster era also developed document sharing abilities which featured advantages of P2P networks.  Today’s web conferencing standards include voice over IP, (VoIP), with quality digital audio sound it's claim to fame. Inexpensive online communication is re-defining the way business is done, as digital audio solution expand the scope of communication options. Top web conferencing providers of VoIP include Voxwire, VoiceCafe, and HotConference.

 Finally, in 2003 the incompatibility issues was resolved and the web conferencing became a desirable innovations.

 Web conferences met with many other competitors that offer clear voice quality and better dial up capabilities. However, Web conferencing was able to overcome the problems and produce “Wave Three” which offered the public a high quality web conferencing.  The birth of web conferencing has launched business into a new age of communication productivity.

 The early adopters  The scientist at the University of Illinois, with the innovation called PLUTO.  The invention of the internet which gave web conferencing attribute of Relative Advantage and Compatibility,  The strategy of continue modifications to the device the moved this single mainframe exploratory to a multi fame system that accommodated thousands of users. What was the attributes of diffusion?

HOME SCHOOL VIRTUAL CLASSROOM RESEARCH AND IMPLEMENTATION I researched several websites and organizations that worked with Web Conferencing ( Elluminate Live) in their distance learning programs: * Kimberly Cause, NBCT, M. Ed., sponsored a Global Symposium called “ Web Conferencing to Enrich Learning and Connect Globally” (2011). * Lee County Private ( Home School) Inc., Kathleen Sprakfka ( Superintendent of Schools) Elluminate Live! Academic Edition. MAKING IT WORK

 Furthermore, you will be thrilled to know that with web conference software educators and students around the world would be connected synchronously and asynchronously.  I learned that web conferences and webinars will connect educators and students around the world synchronously and asynchronously.

live discussion and dynamic interaction to your asynchronous distance learning solution in the fastest, least expensive way possible.  Attract and retain qualified instructors leverage limited teaching resources  Increase enrollment, reaching students across town or around the world  students can:  Meet virtually for ◦ regularly scheduled classes ◦ group projects ◦ ad hoc sessions

 With Web Conferencing students will ◦ Attend regularly scheduled classes.  More student interaction and meaningful learning experiences.

 We need to make the decision to implement this virtual classroom through Elluminate Live into our Florida Home School Program…

FIRST YEAR 10 % INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT Second Year 20 % enrollment Increase Third Year 30 % Increase in Student Enrollment

First Innovator was Mrs. McKoy ( myself) Initially investigated the software as a online adoption. Next Early adopter was Mrs. Daymon, the home school technician She demonstrated the uses of Web Conferencing. Adoption Home school community began to implement classes online.

 We had some home school community members who could not accept the privacy aspect of virtual school.  strategies to overcome Laggards resistance  We installed privacy software that would only allow community learners access.

 Networking-To meet critical mass we need to network with other Home School Organizations ( Roger, 2003, p. 361) ( Triabillity).  Training/Ongoing Training - Web Conferencing Companies sponsored ongoing training programs for families and staff  ( compatibility).  Compare assessment results - with nation-wide home school online communities ( Observability).  Attributes for achieving critical mass would be to network with Home School Organizations, Ongoing Training, and compare and Assess results against other Nation Wide Home School Educational programs.

 Web Conferencing online home school will be piloted in our Florida Home School Community ( FHSC) to ascertain any adjustments before expanding globally.

 The Change Agent will be the Manager/director of curriculum development. He will work with a team of Educational Technicians to continue to explore, develop, and improve the Distance Learning program.  Manager of FHSC Ed Technicians

 To reach critical mass we will form Satellite Home school networks in other states and eventually globally.

 Future U (2011).  Web Conferencing Images (2011). SearchBox&rlz=1I7ACAW_enUS322US322&prmd=ivnsfdl&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=TSvQTc2VI MKctwe6z9CIDg&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CE8Q_AUoAQ&biw=1259&bih=6 06  Elluminate Live! :: Elluminate Elluminate Live! :: Elluminate  Elluminate Bridges provide single-click access to the Elluminate Live! virtual classroom from within your existing and familiar LMS or CMS environment Cached - SimilarCachedSimilar  ►  eLearning & Collaboration Solutions :: Elluminate eLearning & Collaboration Solutions :: Elluminate  "As a tool for professional development, Elluminate Live! has become a real strength for the division. I've been keeping track of mileage saved.... Elluminate Live! - Support - Free Trials - Buy NOW. Elluminate Live!SupportFree TrialsBuy NOW.  - Cached – SimilarCachedSimilar

 Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press  WebConferencingZone (2011). History of Web Conferencinghttp:// zone.com/history-of-web-conferencing.htm