Archive for the ‘Distance Learning’ Category

Through dedication and determination, George Washington accomplished the impossible by leading the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. On Thursday, October 29th at 1:00 p.m., our panel of historians, including Caroline Cox, William Fowler, Ed Lengel, and Andrew O’Shaughnessy, will explore how Washington’s leadership was instrumental in securing American independence via the distance learning broadcast First in War: George Washington and the American Revolution. Discussion topics on the broadcast will include Washington’s relationship with his generals as well as the common soldier, the British perspective of the war, the turning point at Valley Forge, and the quelling of a rebellion at Newburgh. This program will be broadcast across the nation and available for free by DVD. Check out the Fairfax Network webpage for information about registering or requesting a DVD copy.

For our Teachers’ Institute Alumni, we have recently put together a slideshow to help you with peer presentations and conferences. This gives a broad overview of the education programs that Mount Vernon provides to all teachers. Enjoy!

This past Saturday and Monday, a group of students in Tammy Parks’ Broadcast Journalism class did a live videoconference into the NECC conference in Washington, D.C. from the front lawn of Mount Vernon. Traveling by van all the way from Howe, Oklahoma, these immensely talented students, their teacher, and their superintendent, had only one day to tour Mount Vernon, put together a script for their first broadcast early the next morning, and set up the Tandberg satellite truck. It became quickly apparent that these students were pros, especially since their previous broadcasts have won awards and been featured in the news. Bright and early on Saturday morning, the students both produced and starred in a videoconference into CILC’s conference presentation, interacting live with the teachers attending the session. Throughout the day on Monday, the students broadcast into Tandberg’s booth at the conference, introducing teachers to Billy Lee and Dr. Craik, two of Mount Vernon’s first person interpreters. If you would like to read about their journey across the country and their experiences at Mount Vernon, you can find Mrs. Park’s class on Facebook at Cle Live at Hps. We look forward to meeting these amazing students again, whether in person at Mount Vernon or via videoconference from Oklahoma!

Oral storytelling has existed for as long as there has been language, often serving to teach children right from wrong. Only in the past several years has storytelling become popularly recognized as an art form, with festivals, contests, and organizations popping up around the world. We’re sure Aesop would approve.

As a young boy, Washington probably heard the same Aesop’s Fables that are told to children today. In a new take on classic stories, Mount Vernon’s talented storytellers have brought these fables to Mount Vernon, teaching about animals, farming, and history- but always with a moral, of course. To bring these stories to schools across the nation, we will be trialing storytelling via our “Face to Face” videoconference program on April 20th, May 5th, and May 19th FOR FREE! More information about “Face to Face” registration is on our website. And if you are lucky enough to live near Mount Vernon, come check out our storytellers in person every Saturday and Sunday, at 11:00 and 11:30 am. Just be prepared to make funny sounds and giggle along with the children sitting next to you.