Our mission: using technology to make teaching a clinical practice profession.
Decades of empirical and anecdotal evidence indicate that the best way to train teachers and improve student outcomes is through an ongoing process of individualized coaching. However, large-scale, individualized coaching for teachers has been viewed as impractical. Where will school districts locate coaches that are highly qualified content and professional development experts? How will they support, evaluate, and organize their work?
thereNow has developed a model of coaching that answers these questions using technology to bring expert coaches into contact with teachers in their classrooms.
We are currently exploring a variety of technology solutions. We believe that teacher professional development will benefit from the advances of cutting-edge technology. We also believe that existing (referred to as "legacy") technology has much to offer.
Our research explores the use of both "ends" of the technology spectrum, but first-and-foremost, we are always focused on achieving the three fundamental aspects of cognitive apprenticeship:
- Modeling of optimal teaching practice by coaches
- Observation of teachers by coaches
- Conferencing between teachers and coaches
Below is a presentation of the various technologies that thereNow is researching to enable the three aspects of cognitive apprenticeship:
The DVE Telepresence Podium
The DVE Telepresence Podium literally creates the appearance that a person is standing at a podium even though they may be thousands of miles away. The system requires no special environmental changes and works under normal room lighting conditions. At the distant site the speaker uses a DVE eye contact solution (such as the TC 37) and appears virtually with eye contact to the entire audience or classroom.
The DVE Telepresence Podium was designed with schoolhouse portability in mind. When closed, the DVE Telepresence Podium is compact and can roll through all normal doorways. Inside is an AV equipment space for codec and other gear.
The Telepresence 45
The Telepresence 45 is the ultimate in small group Telepresence, ideally suited for 1-3 people per-side. The 45" wide-screen provides life-size images, full upper body language, and perfect eye contact. The experience is just like someone is sitting on the other side of the table. The Telepresence 45 is designed as a self-contained roll-about system with internal rack for codecs and other AV equipment. It can easily be moved around a school.
As with all of DVE's Telepresence product line the DVE Telepresence 45 includes ELR (Extreme Low Reflectance) Black for the deepest black level and open air optical technology creating an eye appealing design. People are often amazed at the image quality that appears virtually in the system.
Legacy Videoconferencing Systems
Legacy Videoconferencing Systems - Although systems such as this one do not enable eye contact and lack some of the immersive qualities of the technology provided by DVE, they still provide a high-quality interaction that will support thereNow's coaching model.
This particular system uses a 45" flat-panel display mounted on top of a rolling cart that is easily moved around schools.
The Virtual Observer
The Virtual Observer is a self contained portable production studio for recording and live transmission for interactive telepresence. The system utilizes a wireless microphone and triangulated IR to locate the speaker wherever he/she moves about. The stylish roll-about system can be placed at the back of a classroom and capture video just as if a cameraman were panning, tilting, and zooming the camera. The result is a professional appearing recording of a teaching that can be reviewed by a remote coach.
IRIS
IRIS is currently being developed to allow teachers to invite distant observers into their classrooms. The system will integrate existing technologies like remote-controllable web cameras, Internet 2.0 web tools, and voice-over-IP (VoIP) communication to open a virtual window into a classroom. lRIS allowa observers to not only watch a teacher at work, but also to talk to them through an earpiece. Past studies have shown that so-called 'bug-in-the-ear' communication between a teacher and an observer is helpful to both. Observers can make comments and suggestions in context. Teachers can make adjustments on the fly. A secure web application will manage these interactions and allow the remote observer to record observation videos, make notes, and complete customized observation protocols.
Click here to view a short video demonstration of IRIS. [Quicktime]
The Telepresence Center
The Telepresence Center (TC) 37 provides a near life-size image. Perfect eye contact is made possible by DVE's patented optically embedded camera technology. Imbedded document cameras and secondary monitors allow for the sharing of documents, computer files, and desktop objects.
The open air optical design creates a stunning visual effect. The result is that you feel as if you are sitting across the table from someone who may be across the world. The viewing angle of the DVE Telepresence 37 was carefully designed to allow up to 3 people per side. The unit is portable and can be easily moved throughout a school.
The Telepresence Center (TC) 32
The Telepresence Center (TC) 32 redefines personal videoconferencing with an immersive experience of perfect eye contact, a near life-size image, and upper body language. The open air optical technology is stunningly appealing and fascinating to observe, reducing the overall size of the system. The picture quality is superb with ELR (Extreme Low Reflectance) Black technology for an image with the deepest black levels possible. The image quality both seen and captured is appreciated by famous Hollywood directors and producers to edit their dailies of feature films and TV shows and then, at a touch-of-a-button, engage a Telepresence conference with studio editors.