Flexibility to accommodate changes

We've used NASA's DLN programs and this is now our 2nd year collaborating with them.  However, this is our first time to have a distance learning from the Glenn Research Center in Ohio.  Pretty interesting.  Mr. David A. Mazza, DLN Education Specialist/Technology Specialist was very helpful in scheduling and accommodating changes in time, length of the program as there were last minute conflict with school activities.

The 3rd graders really enjoyed "The Moon" program.  These are the same children who were first immersed into the distance learning programs that I initialized in 2009.  

As the before-the-scenes event, I had to find distance learning programs that tie in to the NJ Core Curriculum Standards as well as the ISTE - NETS standards for global learning in the digital age.  Once a program is found, we send in a request for the program and wait for NASA to approve it.  Once it is approved, confirmation and test calls are needed.  Then comes the day when I have to make sure that the distance learning room is ready and that the Polycom unit is working properly.  It is always advisable to try to connect 10-15 minutes early in case there are technical difficulties and that is just what we did today and luckily, it all went smoothly.