*** NOTICE ***
The ERIC Clearinghouse on
Information & Technology
web site is no longer in operation.
The United States Department of Education continues to offer the
ERIC Database
at
All ERIC Clearinghouses plus AskERIC will be closed permanently as of December 31, 2003.
In January 2004, the Department of Education will implement a reengineering plan for ERIC. The new ERIC mission continues the core function of providing a centralized bibliographic database of journal articles and other published and unpublished education materials. It enhances the database by adding free full text and electronic links to commercial sources and by making it easy to use and up to date.
From January 2004 until the new ERIC model for acquiring education literature is developed later in 2004, no new materials will be received and accepted for the database. However, the ERIC database will continue to grow, as thousands of documents selected by the ERIC clearinghouses throughout 2003 will be added. When the new model is ready later in 2004, the new ERIC contractor will communicate with publishers, education organizations, and other database contributors to add publications and materials released from January 2004 forward.
Please use:
§ Search the ERIC database.
§ Search the ERIC Calendar of Education-Related Conferences.
§ Link to the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS) to purchase ERIC full-text documents.
§ Link to the ERIC Processing and Reference Facility to purchase ERIC tapes and tools.
§ Stay up-to-date about the ERIC transition to a new contractor and model.
Archived version of the site:
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These are exciting times for educators. With the benefit of technology, we have greater opportunities than ever to reduce and remove barriers to learning, to meet students' increasing needs and to help them realize their academic potential. As part of its continuing commitment to students, families and the community, the Liverpool Central School District has developed The Virtual School @ Liverpool™ through which students may take required, Advanced Placement, elective and tutorial courses in a web-based, "anytime, anyplace" learning environment.
Beginning in September, 2000, Liverpool school district will offer courses for the New York State Regents' diploma, electives and online tutorials for students in need of support. Elementary grades will be included because of the potential for students who, for example, need assistance preparing for the NYS fourth grade tests. In addition, we offer a virtual library.
Liverpool Central School District envisions teachers instructing students from all over New York State and beyond, via the Internet. A hallmark of Liverpool's courses will be prompt, meaningful interaction between teachers and students. Technologically, key components will be the use of features such as streaming video and audio, whiteboarding, threaded discussions, chat rooms and web-linking to make online learning interesting and engaging for the students. Other components for the research and design of The Virtual School @ Liverpool™ include marketing, funding, teacher recruitment and training, and student recruitment. In addition to traditional "bricks and mortar school" students, other potential beneficiaries of online courses include medically homebound students, home-schooled students, alternative education students, students abroad and others.
For more information, see the website for the award-winning, internationally- recognized Liverpool Central School District and, for information specifically about The Virtual School @ Liverpool™.
The ERIC Clearinghouse on Information & Technology is keenly interested in innovative educational programs that implement emerging technology. Fall semester 2000, Liverpool Schools (Liverpool, New York) launched its first virtual learning environment, named Virtual School@Liverpool™. We interviewed the founder and developer of the Virtual School, Laura Lavine, to understand how the program was developed and implemented; some issues involved; and how students, teachers, and the community will benefit.
--Sue Wurster, Editor Questions and Answers
 Superintendent John Cataldo, who is an exemplary innovator in all areas of public education, has a strong interest in technology as evidenced by our $9m referendum that put five computers and a teacher work station in every K-8 classroom in 1994. Subsequent referenda put technology at the remaining grade levels as well as a fuel cell [alternative power source] (we believe Liverpool High School is the first in the U. S. to have its own fuel cell), an $18m renovation at the HS that includes a robotics wing, multimedia room, technology area, etc. In addition, we are among the first schools in New York State (NYS) to offer a laptop computer program, we are an Apple Distinguished school district, we serve as a Cisco training center, we have a brand new athletic facility with state-of-the-art technology, and we were visited by a delegation from Singapore to see our technology, and so on.
John strives to "level the playing field" for students and strives to close the "digital divide." He saw the potential for a virtual school to provide equal access to a wider range of high-quality courses for some students than they would have had otherwise. His focus on preparing students for higher education and the competition of the global marketplace also factor into his focus on teaching them how to use technology. Also, John sees public schools as more qualified than anyone—including private or charter or other similar schools—to provide what students need for the future. He puts a high value on continuing staff development and he has positioned us well financially. He encourages administrators, staff, and students to take risks, to try new things and to be leaders. He saw the virtual school concept as one more way for Liverpool to take the lea | |||||||||||
What led to the decision to offer this distance learning program? Was there an unmet need? What was the reason for starting this virtual education opportunity for elementary and secondary school students?