In an effort to help districts/BOCES manage continuity of instruction and communication with stakeholders and communities, Capital Region BOCES/NERIC is making two important resources available.
Online Conferencing Guidance
We know there has been much discussion about how best to keep our students, teachers, and staff safe while conferencing online during this tremendous period of change. The BOCES of New York State has created a website that will help any district, teacher, and Board of Education better protect itself when using online conferencing in any format.
Webex Available to Districts/BOCES for Virtual Collaboration
Capital Region BOCES/NERIC is making Webex available as an option for school districts and BOCES to help facilitate meetings, learning, and other activities in a virtual format.
A Secure Option
Capital Region BOCES/NERIC, has executed an Ed Law 2-d and Part 121 compliant data sharing confidentiality agreement with parent company Cisco to affirm that Webex complies with the law and regulations. In order to access this agreement and comply with the law and regulations, a district or BOCES must purchase Webex services and licenses through an entity that holds an Ed Law 2-d and Part 121 compliant contract with Cisco—in this case, Capital Region BOCES/NERIC. Each district or BOCES will also need to opt-in to this agreement via a separate provision to be finalized shortly. Webex licenses obtained directly through Cisco’s free offering or via a third-party reseller are not covered by Capital Region BOCES’ data sharing confidentiality agreement.
Webex Capabilities
The Webex platform provides users with an intuitive, cost-effective way to collaborate and to exchange ideas and information online with anyone, anywhere, anytime, on any device.
Webex Meetings and Webex Events will allow you to bring everyone together face-to-face with interactive video and screen sharing on any device (desktop, laptop, tablet, mobile phone). Districts have already been using Webex to support remote learning and operations, including to replace in-person meetings, to allow Board of Education members to participate in meetings virtually, and to facilitate new staff interviews with prospective candidates. An added benefit for schools with Distance Learning and videoconferencing systems is the ability to connect those rooms to Webex directly.
Districts can also expand upon Webex Meetings through Webex Teams, an online platform where team collaboration can happen all in one virtual place. Districts can use the messaging, file and screen sharing, video meetings, and whiteboarding features of Webex Teams to keep staff connected and working from separate locations, from home, and on the go.
To learn more about the Webex platform, services, and pricing, email the Webex Support Team at webex@neric.org.
Educators who’d like to learn how to leverage a variety of tools to support remote teaching and learning should visit this website or reach out to Manager of E-Learning Services Mike Sylofski at michael.sylofski@neric.org or 518-862-5499 or Manager of Instructional Technology Services Lora Parks at lora.parks@neric.org or 518-862-5223.