the GST BOCES E-Learning Service - Distance Learning

Overview

  • This part of the E-Learning Service offers students and educators in the GST region the opportunity to connect and interact with remote sites in a synchronous (or recorded-video) manner. There are numerous opportunities provided by Distance Learning technologies:
    • Students can earn credit by having access to courses that may not be available in their home district and can benefit by virtual tutoring, review, or training programs.
    • Educators can collaborate on multi-site course offerings and other programming. Sharing courses can bolster attendance in low-enrollment sections.
    • School leadership can provide for virtual meetings and professional learning opportunities using these services.
    • In addition, everyone can benefit from the large number of interactive videoconferencing (IVC) connections and regional collaborations available through the DL service.
  • GST BOCES is an active member of the NYS Distance Learning Consortium, allowing access to hundreds of available student courses from around the state.
  • We also offer professional development and support for all aspects of your district Distance Learning needs, including:
    • Videoconferencing equipment consultations
    • Distance Learning room (or cart) design consultation
    • Technical support where needed.
    • Supporting best practices for education programming via Distance Learning

Distance Learning Courses

  • The state does not limit the type or number of courses that a student can take via Synchronous Distance Learning technology.
  • The New York State Distance Learning Consortium maintains a statewide database with available courses and times listed. Whether your school wants to "send" courses to other schools or "receive only" please contact DL@gstboces.org. The E-Learning Coordinator will also be able to provide usernames, passwords, and training for using this database.
    NYS Distance Learning Database
    the NYS Distance
    Learning Database

    http://coursesonline.e2ccb.org
  • Interested in obtaining an Associate's Degree from Corning Community College while still in high school? Documentation will be available soon that will outline this opportunity through strategic scheduling and the use of DL technologies.

NYS Credit Regulations

  • How can Distance Learning courses be useful in the awarding of high school credit? In addition to regular credit accrual, a DL course can:
    • help prepare a student to get Credit by Examination.
    • be used as the primary content for an Independent Study credit.
    • target a student's deficiencies to allow for Unit or Credit Recovery.
    • allow a student to prepare for standardized tests or industry certificates.

  • The New York State Education Department recognizes the need for various options for students to obtain high school credits. The charts linked below are derived from the NYS Part 100.5 regulations and work initially done by the NERIC Region Online/Blended Learning Subcommittee and more recently updated by the NYS Distance Learning Consortium.

  • NYS does not differentiate between "Distance Learning" and "Online Learning" courses in the regulations. The forth column "Credit for Online or Blended Courses" will apply to any course taken that meets this definition:

    "Online course means instruction in a specific subject consisting of teacher-to-student, student-to-student and/or student-to-content interactions that occur solely through digital and/or Internet-connected media."
  • Click on the thumbnails below to open the full-size documents in a new window.
    NYS Credit Regulations
    NYS Regulations for
    Awarding Credit relating to
    Online/Blended Coursework
    Best Practices for using E-Learning to meet these requirements
    Best Practices for
    using E-Learning
    to meet these requirements

Videoconferencing Platforms

  • GST BOCES supports a variety of Videoconferencing platforms including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet.
  • the Zoom platform
    Zoom Resources
    • The Zoom platform is the standard solution for Distance Learning classes and general videoconferencing in New York State. Due to the way it can connect to other platforms such as SIP and H.323 devices, Zoom allows almost any video-based hardware to connect with other systems.
    • Zoom licenses are compliant with Ed Law 2D only if they are obtained through GST BOCES E-Learning Service and your district has a signed Opt-In agreement in place with the state licenseholder.
      • If you are using a personal Zoom account with students please contact your district technology director or DPO for a compliant account.
      • Unsure if you account is compliant? Please contact the BOCES E-Learning coordinator.
    • The following Zoom-related licenses are available through the GST BOCES CoSER 430 (E-Learning):
      • Licensed User Accounts
      • Basic User Accounts
      • Zoom Room Licenses
      • Zoom Webinar Licenses (100, 500, 1000, or 3000 user)
      • Zoom "Large Meeting" Licenses (500 or 1000 user)
      • H.323 or SIP Room Connectors (if you wish to connect H.323 or SIP devices to a Zoom Meeting)
    • The link at the top of this section will take you to a Zoom Resources page.
    the Microsoft Teams platform
    Teams Resources
    • Microsoft Teams licensing is managed by the GSTRIC (Computer Services) or WNYRIC, depending on which RIC your district uses.
    • User support can be available from the GST BOCES Instructional Support Team.
    • Many resources have been created for this platform by the GST BOCES Instructional Support Team. Please reach out to your district's Instructional Support Teacher or your IT Team for more information.
    • The link at the top of this section will take you to a Resources page developed by the BOCES of NY. This page is not maintained by GST BOCES and may not contain the most up-to-date information.
    the Google Meet platform
    Google Meet Resources
    • Google Meet licensing is managed by the GSTRIC (Computer Services) or WNYRIC, depending on which RIC you use.
    • User support can be available from the GST BOCES Instructional Support Team.
    • Many resources have been created for this platform by the GST BOCES Instructional Support Team. Please reach out to your district's Instructional Support Teacher or your IT Team for more information.
    • The link at the top of this section will take you to a Resources page developed by the BOCES of NY. This page is not maintained by GST BOCES and may not contain the most up-to-date information.
    H.323 or SIP technologies
    • A limited number of Tandberg, Cisco, Polycom, or similar H.323 or SIP systems still exist in our region as well. These platforms are compatible with Zoom and Zoom Rooms through a special Zoom Meeting Connector (which BOCES manages as part of the service). The region is phasing these systems out as they need replacement due to the amount of additional network configuration needed for their use.
    • H.323 equipment in use:
      • Prattsburgh Central School - Library Conference Room (Tandberg Cart)
      • GST Bush Campus - Building 12 Conference Room (Cisco cart)
      • GST Teacher Center - Dana Lyon School, Bath (Polycom cart)
    • Due to the way these systems must be configured in the firewall, most of these carts will only function if plugged in to the proper Ethernet port in a specific location. Also, content coming in from outside the firewall will need to be manually added to a whitelist, so please make sure any connections with this equipment are set up and tested at least one week prior to the event if possible.

Regional DL Spaces

  • The Greater Southern Tier BOCES maintains a variety of spaces throughout the region that are equipped with Distance Learning equipment. Many of these spaces can be signed out using the Roommate system or by emailing the contact person listed. Click on the locations below to see associated videoconferencing spaces.