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The Project |
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Transforming Learning with Videoconferencing has successfully connected students from economically, geographically, and culturally diverse communities for the past six years. This program provides students and teachers from various districts the opportunity to become virtual partners and work collaboratively to develop an authentic task that extends their classroom curriculum. Transforming Learning with Videoconferencing addresses many of the foundation skills and competencies as outlined in The Connecticut Framework and the Connecticut Common Core of Learning. Students work towards developing the proficiency, confidence, and fluency in speaking, listening and viewing needed to meet the literacy demands of the 21st century. Students explore information and arguments from various points of view to think critically and creatively to solve problems. Through the natural progression of the collaborative process students begin to appreciate the world views and perceptions other students based on their cultural identities.
Students and teachers complete collaborative tasks developed and designed around specific content standards. Through the collaborative process students explore topics such as euthanasia, cloning, animal testing, and the return of the harbor seals to Long Island Sound.
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Districts currently participating in the program: |
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ACES** |
Milford* |
Cromwell |
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Region 13 (Durham/Middlefield)* |
New Haven* |
Bristol |
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Greenwich |
W.F. Kaynor RTVS* |
Meriden* |
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Amity* |
Wallingford* |
Naugatuck* |
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Branford* |
Farmington |
West Haven* |
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Shelton* |
Stamford |
Torrington |
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Groton |
Fairfield |
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*Denotes districts in the ACES region
**Wintergreen Interdistrict Magnet School, Thomas Edison Middle School
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Torrington Middle School, Torrington CT
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Mission Statement
The Torrington Middle School seeks to provide a child-centered education that will meet the intellectual, emotional, social, and physical needs of the early adolescent. We strive to promote effective learning and develop self-worth in a positive and supportive environment. By working cooperatively with the family and community, we prepare the student to continue his/her education and to become a responsible and productive citizen. |
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History of Torrington Middle School
In January of 1994, the construction of Torrington Middle School was completed. The 165,000 square foot building was designed to accommodate a middle school program and projected student body of 1,200 to 1,400 students. Today over 130 staff members work with approximately 1,200 students.
This new building allowed for the expansion of the unified arts program and other academic courses, i.e. foreign language. The school and its 25 acres are used extensively for community and athletic programs.
Previously the 6th,7th, and 8th graders were taught in two buildings. In September 1987, the district's sixth graders moved into the Wetmore Elementary School building across the street from the junior high, Vogel School. The combining of the two schools formed the Vogel-Wetmore Middle School. |
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Francis Walsh Intermediate School, Branford CT
Mission Statement
The Francis Walsh Intermediate School is an open space school which presently provides an efficient, flexible educational program for over 1,200 youngsters in grades 5 through 8.
Interdisciplinary team teaching in grades 5 through 8 allows for frequent assessment of students and adjustments are continually made to fit the students' individual needs. Teams range in size from two to five teachers, getting larger in the higher grades.
The school's Dining Commons and Lecture Hall provide excellent opportunities for large group instruction, lectures, films, concerts or plays. The Library/Media Center encourages students to become familiar with the full range of research tools and technology.
Applied Arts programs afford youngsters opportunities for varied experiences in Art, Home Economics and Industrial Arts. All fifth and sixth graders also receive instruction in keyboarding, and the QUEST "Skills For Adolescence" program. Music instruction is provided for youngsters in all grade levels. Students may choose to take part in Band, Chorus or Orchestra. With excellent facilities such as the main gymnasium, the gymnastic gym (small gym), the swimming pool and the outdoor complex which includes a Project Adventure course, we offer an outstanding physical education program. |
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The results of this project can be seen to the students' involvement with one another via email, IM, video conferencing, and the face-to-face meeting (field trip). Both Torrington and Branford students learned about one another's school and town. This resulted in inquiries regarding weather in the other town, the beauty of each town, the size and culture and history of each town. One of the main points of this grant was to bring together two distant towns via video conferencing and/or technology. We achieved that. |
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