Original Message from Elizabeth Moore

 " Has anyone done a project like this recently who could share their
experience with set up and implementation (technology requiremenys)?"

Some thought............

We are working on three new museums/education centers that make Distance
Education a cornerstone of each project's educational and outreach
programming. Our plan to is not only create a DE specific room in each, but
to enable any exhibit area (inside and out) to function as a point of
origination for DE programming.  Two musuems are buildling new facilities
(Pier Wisconsin, Racine Heritage Museum) and one (American's Freedom Center)
is a new project seeking funding.  Completion dates through 2006.


Pier Wisconsin: a freshwater education center, high-definition video
theater, an interactive immersion studio, live programming from the Denis
Sullivan (a recreation of a 19th century traditional Great Lake schooner),
and Internet2 connectivity to east and west coast aquariums.
(www.pierwisconsin.org)

America's Freedom Center: An education center with several Discovery Centers
(DE enabled rooms), large experiential exhibits, and high speed wireless
connectivity planned throughout the building for interactive educational
programs.  (http://www.americasfreedomcenter.org/)

Racine Heritage Museum:  Wireless connectivity to the Denis Sullivan and DE
capability throughout the new building.  (Construction to begin this year)
(http://www.spiritofinnovation.org/)

We have worked with vendors to define and test lower cost Internet Protocol
(IP) based systems (mostly Polycom) with successful programs originating via
satellite from the Florida Keys into Milwaukee middle schools.  The
education centers collaborate with a S.E. Wisconsin educational network
(SWING) that focuses on DE programming and manages networks and facilities
for their partner institutions.

Be sure to work with a knowledgeable DE technology vendor.  Establish
dependable broadband connectivity for your museum.  Ensure that your educati
on staff are well schooled in the design and delivery of DE programming.
Establish strong ties to other museums and education centers that are
experienced DE users.  Create a network of schools and DE enabled locations
or link with one that is already serving your area.  Think globally and
"sell" your programming to audiences beyond your geographical region.

Good luck

John Grozik
Digital Docent
Grozik Associates
[log in to unmask]
www.grozikassociates.com

=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:

The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).

If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).