MCET was an award-winning quasi-public agency that produced live, two-way interactive distance learning programming through the Mass LearnPike broadcasting network.
As curriculum and program developer for Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications (MCET), I:
- conceived of, researched, produced 83+ live, interactive, educational television programs, print and on-line curricula, and related websites, in social studies, the social sciences, Spanish and French, K-12.
- broadcast programs live to MA and 22 other states nationwide and internationally.
- was instrumental in MCET receiving a $9.5 million grant.
- created and fomented strong partnerships with distinguished local and national community, educational and cultural organizations.
- integrated videoconferencing into my two-way live television programs (electronic field trips, language and cultural exchange programs).
I developed, concept to completion, program series ranging from life in the Stone Age to an interactive journey through the Costa Rican rainforest (in Spanish) to the French influence in southeast Asia (in French), to lessons of the Holocaust, and combating child labor worldwide. I often created language and cultural exchanges in my Spanish and French programs, linking up students from all over the world via PTEL. All programs were aligned with state and national learning standards.
Distinctions: Two Emmy nominations, three first place national distance learning awards (Telecon/USDLA); one semifinalist international award (Ziff Davis’ GII, Global Information Infrastructure Award)
Instrumental in Receiving $9.5 Million Grant: My background in literacy and biliteracy was instrumental to MCET’s receiving a Star Schools grant from the USDOE for reading and literacy. Transitions Through Telecommunications utilized state-of-the-art technologies to serve economically underserved students, parents and teachers in New England, New York and Washington, DC.
Program Partners: Harvard University’s School of Public Health, Harvard’s Peabody Museum, American Museum of Natural History, NY, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, ADL, Gerda & Kurt Klein Foundation, Survivors of the Shoa Visual History Center.
About MCET: “Established by the Legislature in 1982, MCET is the premier provider of outstanding distance education programs, products, and services utilizing state-of- the-art technologies. Subjects cover language arts, mathematics, science, technology, social studies, foreign languages, and career education for all levels from K-12, as well as professional development for adults and community education programs. MCET also operates the Mass Ed OnLine LearnNet (MEOL) statewide computer network dedicated to improving communications among Massachusetts educators. MCET provides telecommunications services through multiple technologies to students and educators in Massachusetts and 27 states nationwide. This includes daily satellite broadcasts, computer networking for email and links to the Internet, videotapes, and videodiscs, as well as technical training and content support for participants. The Cambridge-based corporation serves a broad base of educational institutions, non-profit agencies, government services, and businesses. Our valued customers are lifelong learners from pre-K to 12, higher education, and the community at large in Massachusetts, the United States, and the world.