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Please send all inquiries to info@lsb.syr.edu

• Share information, ideas, and resources with participating local and global communities through interactive, on-line dialogue;
• Participate in web-based design and collaboration;
• Use multimedia and telecommunications technologies such as videoconferencing, and video streaming;
• Create and present dynamic, ongoing, curriculum-based technology projects-projects that continue to develop, change, and grow through the years.

Drawing its staff from across the university spectrum, the Living SchoolBook is a student-centered client-focused research and development group that collaborates with K-12 educators, university faculty, and community agencies by providing research, development, and support services for the incorporation of technology in teacher preparation, K-12, and other instructional programs.

Collaborative Project Development: The majority of LSB projects are realized through interaction and collaboration amongst various LSB schools, community agencies, university faculty, and students. The following groups currently participate in LSB projects:

• Schools in the Syracuse City School District and Rome City School District;
• Schools from the North Country Consortium (a rural consortium of 4 school districts, 8 public libraries and 7 non-public schools) including districts that serve Fort Drum), WeLearn (OCMBOCES consortium of 33 CNY school districts) and NHEEEP (a consortium of 37 school districts in the Hudson Falls area);
• Syracuse University faculty including teacher preparation, chemistry and engineering.
• Community agencies such as Onondaga County and the City of Syracuse.

As a result of these partnerships the LSB is currently engaged in the collaborative development of about 50 web or CD based projects. Teachers and students from K-12 schools and universities have designed and created on-line projects that demonstrate student inquiry, problem-solving, and collaboration. Furthermore, the artifacts produced through this on-going process of research, inquiry, and creation are products of student knowledge that can be shared and critiqued. Project topics range from the study of biomes, to the electronic collection of historic artwork. Projects often require the development of database generated websites that provide practitioners with a venue for collecting and sharing information, these projects have recently included tools such as: a database for local history documents and related questions for student investigations, and the New York State Watershed website-a vehicle for the entry, storage and analysis of water quality data collected by students from streams near their schools.

Dialogue Application Development: Additionally the LSB development team is responsible for the design, research, quality assurance and maintenance for the Dialogue application. Dialogue is a web-based collaborative communication tool that supports the building of learning communities. With the help of user input, a flexible, integrated system has emerged-a system that empowers communities to customize their online workspaces. The Dialogue Application encourages collaboration and information sharing among the learning communities in order to promote conversation, scholarship, and understanding.

LSB Resources: The LSB is situated in the School of Education at Syracuse University a fully equipped multi-media lab with its own sub-net, and robust database and cross platform environment with web-servers running on a Linux platform. The desktop resources include over 20 high-end Macintosh and PC computers, scanners, printers, etc. Additionally 2-15 laptop wireless cross-platform carts are available to the faculty and their students in the School of education. The greatest strength of the LSB, however is its staff. The 20 LSB staff members actualize the university mission and vision of a "socially and culturally diverse climate" where in "faculty and staff share responsibility and work together for academic, professional and personal growth." Staff is traditionally composed of students (freshman-doctoral) from various schools across the university (currently eight schools are represented including Visual Performing Arts, Engineering, and Education). LSB staff is organized into:

• an administrative team including a full time business manager and project coordinator;
• a systems administrator and full time technology support person;
• a software development team that includes a full time project manager;
• educational field coordinator team for K-12 projects;
• two part time Educators in Residence;
• a graphics design team.

The Living SchoolBook is directed by a full time project director.

Additional Resource: School of Education and University resources compliment the LSB resources. We are able to draw upon the technology resources of Syracuse University, the School of Education, and the 40 schools currently considered Professional Development Schools at Syracuse University. Additional partners include Apple, Inc, New York State Education Department of Technology Policy, and Onondaga County agencies.

Funding: Current funding is through four Title III school consortia grants (Syracuse City School District, North Country , NHEEEP and WeLearn/OCMBOCES), Verizon, Preparing Tomorrows Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) USDE, Onondaga County Health Department, Syracuse Teacher Center.

Contact Information:
Barbara Shelly, Project Director
030 Huntington Hall • Syracuse University • Syracuse, NY 13244
Phone: (315) 443-3450 • Email: info@lsb.syr.edu • Web: http://lsb.syr.edu