"You really should stay for the live teleconferencing we're going to do at five
o'clock… or the class on Models for Distance Learning with Mary Combal, head of
the Foreign Language Department. It's really interesting because she'll show how the
Internet can be used in French language courses as a learning tool for cultural
enrichment… or the…" Dianne Baasch, director of the Independent Schools
Multi-Media Center's enthusiasm was matched by most everyone at this half day
event on Thursday, February 11th at Grace Church's school. She introduced me to
George Davison, head of Grace Church and the ISMMC board president, who lead
the charge for bringing together other city private and independent schools and
advancing with technology. Ms. Baasch announced that they have several hundreds of
acquisitions in multi-media items and 250 PBS videos on American History and
Culture. These will be added to their existing database of 6,000 items. Headmaster of
the Birch Wathen Lenox School was one of the enthusiastic attendees and Steven
Mintz of T/SA Ltd. was also there to find out more about this burgeoning organization.
Seeing the activity in this organization was encouraging as organizations like MOUSE
and Per Scholas charge ahead with public school initiatives.
