Distance Learning FAQs
Q: What is Distance Learning? Answer >
A: Distance Learning is a teaching arrangement by which the instructor is separated from the students by time, physical distance, or both. At The Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM), distance learning is concerned with transcending time and distance to create a personal bond between an instructor who is in one place and a student who happens to be in another. With the emerging technologies of interactive video conferencing and internet connectivity, time and distance are no longer barriers to education.
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Q: How does Interactive Distance Learning work? Answer >
A: The Cleveland Institute of Music connects in real time to teachers and students throughout the world through high-speed video conferencing technology. Interactive video conferencing enables teachers and students to engage in verbal dialogue and musical interaction, while taking advantage of sophisticated audio and video playback systems.
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Q: What types of content are available at CIM? Answer >
A: Distance Learning content is offered in four principle areas:
- Pure Music
- Interdisciplinary/Proficiency Related
- Professional Development
- Community Service
Distance learning programs utilize the talents of the world-class faculty and students of the Cleveland Institute of Music. Offerings in the pre-Kindergarten through post-graduate levels establish music as a part of the basic learning environment while making curriculum connections between music and other academic subjects. Check program listings for complete descriptions of each offering.
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Q: How should I prepare my class for a Distance Learning session? Answer >
A: Most videoconference programs require advance preparation from the participating teacher and students.
- Download worksheets, if appropriate, from our website and review. Some materials may be sent to you.
- Communicate with the CIM Instructor assigned to your class via e-mail or phone. You will receive an e-mail from CIM listing your instructor.
- Encourage your students to ask questions and generally participate in the session. A teacher may serve as moderator if appropriate.
- Pre-School classes should be accompanied on site by at least two teachers or aids.
- Arrange the room so that all the students are in view of the camera. For example, create four rows with three students in the first row and increasing numbers of students in the succeeding row.
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Q: How should I prepare for the technical aspects of a videoconference? Answer >
A: To be ready for videoconferencing, we suggest following these steps:
- Make sure there is a working telephone in your distance learning room and that your far-end contacts have that number. Otherwise, notify the school switchboard that you are having a videoconference and may need to receive urgent messages.
- If you are planning to utilize a moderator to facilitate student questions, you might want to make use of a remote microphone.
- The camera operator should zoom in on whichever student is speaking (if the process can be smooth!).
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Q: What type of connections are available at CIM? Answer >
A: There are several different means to connect with CIM's Distance Learning:
- ATM (only within the state of Ohio) at speeds up to 768k
- IP at speeds up to 2M
- ISDN at speeds up to 768k
- MPEG2 at speeds up to 15M
- DVTS at speeds up to 30M
- ConfXP at speeds up to 3M
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Q: What should I do if the connection is not working? Answer >
A: Begin by taking these steps:
- Make sure you are connecting at the right speed.
- Call the CIM Distance Learning Studio 1 at (216) 795-3187 or Studio 2 at (216) 795-3150.
- If you are connecting through eTech Ohio, you might want to call them to check the status of the call. The eTech number is (877) 843-3640 or (614) 485-6622.
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