Botanical Expedition! - Botanical Research Institute of Texas

iridos volume 18 no 2
18
by pam ChamBerlain, eduCation
“Welcome to the conference.” These
recorded words are the first audible signals that
call my distant audience as their image snaps
to the television monitor of the Tandberg
videoconferencing equipment. I see teachers
giving last minute instructions, children restless
in their seats, and those closest to the camera are
making faces as they await my initial greeting,
“Welcome to BRIT.”
This is distance learning. BRIT partners with
the Region 11 Educational Service Center and a
host of prestigious providers like the Fort Worth
Museum of Science and History, the Amon
Carter Museum, the Monnig Meteorite Gallery,
and the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
to deliver quality programming that carries our
mission across the state of Texas and beyond via
the airwaves.
Since its initial broadcast in February 2007,
BRIT delivered programming to over 2,350
PreK-12 students and adults in 22 Texas school
districts and in Florida. We were pleased to
have several schools book additional programs
after a positive experience with their first BRIT
videoconference.
Tightly scripted 45-60 minute segments
captivate, teach, and interact with students,
BRIT BRIT
Connects Connects to
Distance Distance Learning Learning
teachers, and adults for maximum impact—
the result of creatively combining the “TV
entertainment” element of distance learning
with the excellent pedagogy of BRIT’s education
staff. The very nature of videoconferencing is
interactive so we developed broadcasts beyond
“talking heads” in a lecture only presentation
by utilizing questions and answers, hands on
experiments, and games that engage and motivate
our targeted audiences. The teacher is crucial to
providing a positive learning environment while
facilitating a videoconference at their site. So,
before, during, and after a broadcast, BRIT strives
to support and maintain a good relationship
with teachers by fostering open and frequent
communication and follow up. Each broadcast
package includes preview background information
for teacher preparation, pre- and post extension
activities, and actual materials for real on-site
investigations. This ensures teachers will want to
facilitate BRIT distance learning programs over
and over again.
In all, five programs were created
and delivered during the 2007 spring
semester.
• Carry the Light, exploring
photosynthesis and the transfer
of energy in a food chain
• Bella Comes to BRIT, a plant’s journey from
Peru to BRIT
• King Quigley’s Allergies, the important role of
plants in our everyday lives
• Incredible Edibles, current and historical use of
plants for food and medicine
• Green Monsters, a fun, end-of-the-year program
combining botany and art using delightful
children’s literature
Virtual tours of the herbarium, library, and
Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program’s research
in the Peruvian rainforest offer options for real
science and real scientists to present to students
across the globe. In fact, in this remarkable
way, there is no limit to the content possibilities
for BRIT distance learning programs. Grab the
remote! Click in today! We’re on it!