Mote’s SeaTrek.TV Interactive receives prestigious award
Mote Marine Laboratory’s digital learning program, SeaTrek.TV Interactive, earned the highest award in educational, interactive videoconferencing, the Pinnacle Award, for the 2016-2017 school year from the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC).
The Pinnacle Award is given annually by the CILC to organizations that receive outstanding scores on program evaluations submitted by educators. The award recognizes remarkable quality of educational content and exceptional skill at program delivery.
SeaTrek.TV brings Mote's research, animals and exhibits to classroom learners using affordable, easy-to-use distance learning technology. These virtual field trips are an exciting way to engage learners with STEM topics. Dive into Mote Aquarium and chat with a shark specialist. Or explore the Florida Keys and make observations like a real coral reef scientist.
“It is an honor to be recognized by fellow educators and to receive the Pinnacle Award for SeaTrek.TV. Interactive videoconferencing allows Mote to reach audiences that might otherwise never visit an aquarium or even the ocean,” said Jason Robertshaw Mote’s Senior Coordinator of Educational Technology, “Each year we make hundreds of digital connections to classrooms around the world, sharing our passion and inspiring them to become better stewards of the coastal environment. Our goal is a greater public understanding of our marine resources and interactive videoconferencing has a vital role in our mission.”
To qualify for a Pinnacle Award, the provider must receive at least 2.85 average out of 3.0 on all their program evaluations during the school year. The program evaluation assesses if the presenter is knowledgeable about the content and engages well with the audience, and if the program was engaging, appropriate for the advertised age/grade range, aligned to the advertised educational standards, met the advertised educational objectives and if it had an impact on student learning.
SeaTrek.TV has received great reviews from teachers. One teacher said, “Thank you so much for scheduling this session! It was absolutely amazing! My students learned so much and were engaged throughout the entire presentation. Kasey was excited about the information she was presenting and, in turn, excited us! At the end of our session, my students were saying, “This was our best Skype ever!"
SeaTrek.TV has received eight Pinnacle Awards and two honorable mentions since the award’s start in 2008.
Click here to learn more about Mote’s SeaTrek.TV programs.
About CILC
The Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration (CILC), established in 1994, specializes in the access to applications and the utilization of videoconferencing for live interactive content and professional development, as well as web-based collaborative learning environments for lifelong learning. CILC provides consulting expertise in videoconferencing, integration, problem-based learning projects, and effective techniques for the delivery and development of quality programs. Visit www.cilc.org to explore the various providers of content and diversity of programs and trainings available.
CILC serves as a program to the South Central Service Cooperative, an Education Service Agency with its headquarters in southern Minnesota.