Hi, my name is Lori Colwill and I’m the videoconferencing coordinator for Dallas ISD. Although I currently support 52 campuses with videoconferencing equipment, I still feel like a newbie. As a district, we first started this journey back in 2005. When I was given this assignment, the only thing that I knew about videoconferencing was that I used it back in 1997-98 for some of my Master’s classes. And that it didn’t work too well. 
Thankfully, both the technology and I have come a long way since then. I have learned a lot during the last 3 years, and the most important thing that I have learned is that there is always MORE to learn.
I started IVC Connections for a couple of reasons. One, I want to use it as another tool to support the campuses. I have fallen in love with this technology and the potential that it has for the classroom. I love working with the teachers and finding ways that we can break down the walls for our classrooms. I plan on spotlighting connections that the schools make and want to make.
Secondly, I want to give back. One thing I have learned is that the people in the videoconferencing community are a great support for each other and they welcome newbies like me with open arms. The program in Dallas ISD would not be what it is today without the help and the support that I have received from those that have been there before me. So this is my way to give back. Hopefully, you can find something here that will be of help to you.
Now that you know my purpose, I have to give my disclaimer. I have a tendency to ramble (if you haven’t noticed), so it is very likely that you will also see posts here about other areas of my job. While I support videoconferencing instructionally, I am also the technical support, so I’m sure that will sneak in from time to time. In addition, I develop training for various other topics and I recently inherited our department’s web page, so you might see those topics as well. I will try, however, to stay true to my purpose and give you a reason to come back.
