Gerri Maglia
Brief History of Work
Although I have had a hand in some form of Educational Technology for 17 years, the history of my work focuses around the use of interactive two-way synchronous video conferencing technology to support teaching and learning at the K – 12 level. As a Distance Learning Consultant at Education Service Center Region XI (ESC Region XI), I have seen our network (10 counties and 77 districts) grow from 5 endpoints/classrooms to over 250 in a period of 9 years. But even more significantly, the technology not only exists at those campuses, but is used. I believe that even more critical than obtaining the technology is creating and using plans and systems that ensure utilization to fill a need.
During my tenure at ESC Region XI, I served in a key role in the following capacities:
- Creating partnerships and policies between high schools and colleges for the purpose of delivering dual-enrollment courses
- Creating online systems to manage course enrollment
- Creating online systems to manage video conference requests for content programs delivered by museums
- Creating the Connect2Texas program, a collaborative of 15 museums and outreach organizations in the state of Texas whose primary mission is to deliver student and staff educational programs to the K – 12 community.
- Creating the Connect2Texas web site (http://www.connect2texas.net) for marketing and registration purposes
I am fortunate to say that all of these programs are still thriving and have become a systemic part of our work.
Many of the activities that I have been involved in through my work were made possible through 4 grants totally $5,000,000 over the past 9 years. Grant funds were used to purchase video conferencing systems for schools, museums, a hospital, and for our internal infrastructure, as well as for supporting program development and delivery.
Summary of My Current Work
The majority of my current work still focuses around bringing resources and content to the classroom using video conferencing. Much of my efforts have been spent on the Connect2Texas program and educating other outreach organizations about the possibilities of reaching the classroom using technology. In years past, there seemed to more of an effort needed to encourage museums to think differently...that it was OK to educate children without them being physically present at their facility. Now, due to budget cutbacks in travel, gas costs, etc., it is almost critical that museums look at alternative ways of conducting outreach and more times than not, they call upon us to ask questions instead of us seeking them out.
My newest "on the burner" project is to include asynchronous online discussions, feedback, and content that support the live video conferences. A Connect2Texas Moodle site is on the horizon and I am anxious to see the results. I think the "before" and "after" piece to the live video conference is somewhat week and that so much more enriching outcomes can be had if an easy to use structure could be put in place. Students, teachers, and providers will be able to access the site and post questions, comments, pictures, etc. that relate back to (or looking forward to) the live videoconference. The Moodle tool will be my first attempt at making that happen.
Desired Outcomes
- I hope that using live video conferencing technologies to support education would be common place…an expectation and not an "extra".
- I hope that current non-intersecting networks of equipment and people (higher education, K -12 education, health care, and businesses) find a way to help each other using this technology.
- I hope that children will always stay excited about learning using technology.
Innovative Breakthrough strategies
I find the challenge in being innovative is not tied to the technology, but to ideas and people. One strategy I always try and use is to make learning relevant and current and exciting. I stay abreast of current news and tie videoconferences around those topics. I find experts that can talk to kids about difficult subjects. I create "series" of programs so that teachers are looking forward to the next event immediately after the current event is over. I use video clips of actual programs to generate excitement in decision makers. I try to model uses of technology and not just explain it. I work very hard at making things attainable.
Most distinctive about my efforts
I think what is most distinctive about my efforts is that I "talk the talk and walk the walk." Once I latch onto an idea, I really want to run with it. I can see the entire idea from beginning to end and feel strongly about the benefits. I swell up when I observe a video conference and see students learning and excited and know that I played a small part in making that happen. I feel proud to have created the Connect2Texas program and believe it will have a long-lasting impact on thousands and thousands of students not only from Texas, but from across the country. I was honored to receive the Texas Distance Learning Association's annual award for Excellence and Innovation by an Individual last March. My parents said I was stubborn and hard headed, and I hope it has paid off.
Personal Biography
I received a B.S. in Mathematics with a concentration in Education in 1988 and immediately began my career in education as a secondary mathematics teacher. Since 1996, I have worked at Education Service Centers in the state of Texas: 2 years at ESC Region 2 in Corpus Christi as an Instructional Technology Specialist and the rest of the time at ESC Region XI in Fort Worth as a Distance Learning Consultant. I earned a Masters Degree in Educational Technology in 2001. I grew up in southern rural Colorado with 5 brothers and sisters. My son Luke is 8 years old. I enjoy reading, skiing, and I attempt to have a green thumb.
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