News for and about the Internet2 community

[Jennifer Oxenford <>]

<x-tad-bigger>Colleagues, 

Please help us circulate this Call for Proposals for the upcoming Megaconference Jr. 2006 to those who may be interested in your areas. 
 
- Deadline for presenter proposals/activities - January 23, 2006 
 
We look forward to your involvement!
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WHAT IS MEGACONFERENCE JR.?
Megaconference Jr., now in its third year, is a project designed to give students in elementary and secondary schools around the world the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and contribute to each other's learning in real time, using advanced multi-point video conferencing technology. Presenters will design and conduct videoconference-based presentations and activities focused on both academic and cultural issues. Participants will be able to address questions to presenters and to collaborate with geographically diverse peers in collaborative learning activities, thus building international cultural awareness. 
 
WHEN IS IT GOING TO BE?
The event will be on May 18, 2006, and it will run from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm EDT </x-tad-bigger>(UTC-4)<x-tad-bigger>. The 12-hour duration will make it possible for schools from many time zones to participate during their regular school hours. We strongly encourage schools to open up participation to parents, administrators, and the community and to stay connected for as long as possible so that they can actively participate with sites from around the world in different time-zones. Museums and libraries are especially encouraged to invite children and library patrons to participate during non-school hours. 
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<x-tad-bigger>HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE?
You can propose a 10-15 min. interactive presentation or showcase an interesting collaboration project that you have been doing in your school. You can also suggest activities that could be organized at "downtimes" between the blocks of presentations. Or you can join us as participants, with no special presentation given from your side. (Questions at the end of presentations are more than welcome from everyone).
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<x-tad-bigger>WHO CAN BE A PRESENTER?
Students and teachers can be presenters. Presentations with multiple sites are strongly encouraged.  
 
HOW DO I SUBMIT A PROPOSAL? 
The proposal submission process has been streamlined again this year to ensure a successful conference for all. Anyone who wishes to submit a proposal must first register as a presenter for Megaconference Jr. 2006. Once registered, sites will be contacted about testing their network connections. Upon successfully testing, those who wish to submit a proposal will be able to do so. This will ensure that all sites proposing presentations have passed a preliminary connectivity test and will allow presenters more time to focus on their dress rehearsals. 

HOW WILL PROPOSALS BE EVALUATED? 
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria: 
1. Title: The title is catchy and unique and related to the objective of the presentation. 
2. Presentation is Related to Theme: Student presentations should focus on academic or cultural issues and incorporate global awareness and collaboration.  
3. Collaboration/Interactivity: The ideal presentation should include collaboration with students in another geographic location. If your project includes another site please identify that in the "Overview" section of the proposal submission form. 
4. Creativity/Uniqueness: The presentation is delivered in a creative way and presents a different or unique topic. 
5. Multimedia: Without distracting from the proposal objectives, the students use a variety of media resources and appropriate distance learning activities. 
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO I NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
Most sites will need Internet2 or comparable high-speed connection and access to H.323 video-conferencing equipment. Presentations must be made using H.323 technology, preferably at 768 Kbps, and they will be made from the presenter's location. Presentations with multiple remote presenters are encouraged (see evaluation criteria above). 
 
WOULD I BE ABLE TO REHEARSE?
Yes, all presenters will be required to hold at least one dress rehearsal prior to the event to rehearse and refine their presentations. 
 
HOW TO REGISTER AND SUBMIT A PROPOSAL:
Presenter registration and subsequent proposal submission (upon successful testing) should be completed online at: </x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>http://megaconferencejr.org/?id=registration</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>
 
DEADLINES:

Submit your presenter </x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>proposal(s) by January 23, 2006</x-tad-bigger><x-tad-bigger>. 
(If you are unable to submit by this date due to special circumstances such as extended holiday break, please let us know and we will do everything possible to accommodate you.)  

General registration opens February 10, 2006. 
General registration closes April 28, 2006. 
 
AND....
Please forward this message to anyone you feel would be interested in being a presenter site, anywhere in the world.</x-tad-bigger>

Check out the NEW Megaconference Jr. 2006 website at <x-tad-bigger>http://megaconferencejr.org
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--
Jennifer Oxenford 
Associate Director, MAGPI 

phone: 215.898.0341
cell: 267.322.0036
fax: 215.898.9348

www.magpi.net
215-74MAGPI (215-746-2474)