The use of these inexpensive video conferencing solutions were piloted by Julie Gaskin with a room-to-room conference on American Indians. With this success under our belts, the newest video conference was between students at Arlington and James Lane Allen Elementary schools, involving student participants in the Battle of the Books competition. 

What is Battle of the Books? The brainchild of Erna and Steven Wentland, this "competition" encourages students to read from a list of selected books, and then "battle" through group encounters where questions are exchanged and answered.

Why videoconferencing? Since the Battle requires exchanged questions, videoconferencing allows the "competition" to take place between students at different schools during school hours! (Here's a copy of the questions used in this videoconference in Word format)

Can I join in? Absolutely! Here's Kim Blankenship's Battle of the Books page on James Lane Allen Elementary's website. For others wishing to participate, contact Nancy Strassner or Barby Hardy at Media Services. As an alternative, Mrs. Hardy suggests the Northern Kentucky University...