Virtual Model for 21st Century Education

Friends:

This from a couple of friends of mine in New York. Let me know what your thoughts might be. Perhaps it can serve as a model for some of our efforts on behalf of K-12 Education.

http://www.ive.kbcc.cuny.edu/

Best,

Jim

21st Century Classrooms and Wireless Oakland

Friends:

Something on Laptops and Learning and our Wireless Oakland initiative for K-12 Education.

http://www.techlearning.com/content/epubs/laptops/

Best,

Jim

McMath-Hulbert Observatory / Wireless Oakland Site

Folks:

I just wanted to let everyone know that Ed Hendry, John Iras and myself attended two days of the Wireless Oakland project presentation. This initiative is immersed in the development of creating and deploying a broadband "wireless cloud" over the entirty of Oakland County. We have discussed the possibility of having the observatory become a distribution point with the principals and they have concurred that this would be desirable.

This would allow the observatory to enjoy unlimited bandwidth reflecting all of our needs. Addtionally, the observatory would be a developer of content with regards to K-12 Education and various "digital divide" activities we have created and developed over the past several years with a particular focus on the City of Pontiac. I also invited representatives of Oakland Schools and the Pontiac mayors campaign manager (Rick Williams) to attend to become familiar with the initiative and the possibilities it would represent to their mutual efforts. All were in attendence.

This may become the "tipping point" for some very interesting opportunities for the observatory. To that end we will be creating a observatory "focus group" with the intent of developing a "pilot project" to research and test the possibilities reflecting the above. Please let me know what your thoughts might be.

Stay tuned, I think we are about to launch some sustainable elements of our strategic planning that may lead to our success in perpetuity on behalf of the observatory.

Best,

Jim

Dan I Would Be More Then Willing To Take You Up On That Invitation (3-15)

I would be more then happy to help this big group of friends out with anything they may need. Just let me know what your thoughts may be.

Best to all, -John Ott

Take Some Of The Information Given On Friday's Presentation As A Step To Moving Forward (3-15)

So good news has been expressed through and through but that also means we have a new objective on our hands. What is developed from that presentation could mean positive interaction for ideas on HD and SOL Summer Camp 2005.

Best to all, -John Ott

Meeting of the OBS Digital Minds

Folks:

Friday, March 11, 2005

Participants:
John Iras
Ed Hendry
Paul Briercheck
Dan Pesserl
John Ott
Jim Ross

Discussions enusued regarding a "decade summary" of efforts to date culminating in the opportunity we currently enjoy and the work necessary to properly prepare ourselves for success.

Responsibilities were addressed and assigned to various individuals regarding technological upgrades, refinements, etc. Various software was loaded on some of the computers.

Some strategic initiatives were identified and discussed to include our efforts with OSTC/NW (currently scheduled for videoconferencing on Friday, March 18, 2005) and the rescheduling of the "test" videoconference with O.C.C. Auburn Hills which will be Tuesday, March 15, or Thursday, March 17, 2005. Further discussions revolved around the preparations for same.

We also discussed the (as yet unscheduled) videoconference with the Oakland Schools ISD with Superintendent Vickie Markevitch and Assistant Superintendent Dan Austin via Sherry Kuchon e-mail. Preparations and strategic alignment for same were discussed.

Finally, we scheduled ourselves to attend the "Wireless Oakland Summit's" taking place on Monday, March 14, 2005 and Wednesday, March 16, 2005.

Dan Pesserl has volunteered to develop a blog-site for the observatory web-site development efforts. Anyone interested in participating should let Dan know so he can send them an invitation to same.

Go Digital 2005

Jim

McMath-Hulbert Observatory prepares to GO DIGITAL!

Focus-Group Forming:

With all the new "digital capabilities" coming on-line; 10" Meade GOTO mount functional, addition of a ccd color video camera, the embedded software for web-based dome and shutter control, 2 additional remote cameras (4-way pan, tilt, zoom, etc.) and cabling connection runs, observatory server software installation and the remote-connectivity via ISDN videoconferencing "TEST" connections taking place, it would probably be wise to have a "meeting of the minds" to discuss the installation, deployment and utilization of same.

Please let me know what your schedules will allow. The week-end will probably work best for everyone. I will suggest 10:00AM on Saturday or Sunday as a beginning.

Best,

Jim

UPDATE/ GOTO Mount Serial Cable Installation

Jim,

I'm sorry but I forgot to email you about Sunday's fiasco with the serial cable. I bought the parts and came out there ready to make the cable up but found that the Meade manual did a lousy job of describing the pinout arrangement of what was needed. I knew there was something better on the internet but I had no access out there, so I brought it home until I could check the better directions.

I have it ready to go now and may bring it out on Saturday since I think we have other plans on Sunday.

I talked to Bill Blevins too and am sure the cable is correct.

In the process of doing this, I had checked the voltages on the 6 pins on the panel of the Meade and could not make sense of them. Since it's all digital, the results may have looked goofy because of that. I'm hoping we don't have a problem there. I'm not real concerned at this point, but wanted you aware.

See you this weekend.

Dave