What are distance learning programs?
Distance learning programs from Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum are exciting and educational! Our videoconferences bring the museum into the classroom, allowing students to interact directly with museum staff on a variety of subjects. These real-time sessions between schools and museum educators use objects, images, fun activities and hands-on projects to create a “virtual field trip” to our museums. Our programs will entertain and enrich your students while complying with both national and New York State curriculum standards in social studies, science, mathematics, and art. These videoconferences are easy to use and inexpensive.

Why would I choose to take part in a distance learning program?
Perhaps your school or institution is too far away from Cooperstown for your students to make a trip here.  Perhaps the cost of a field trip is preventative.  Maybe your students can’t miss an entire day of classes to make a trip to a museum.  All of these are good reasons to look into Distance Learning at The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum.  All of our hour-long programs are inexpensive, based on New York State Learning Standards, and are fun and interactive for students.

What equipment does my school/institution need to take part in these programs?
Although these programs are at the cutting edge of technology, they are surprisingly simple to set up. Many schools already own the equipment necessary to host a
videoconference. 

Internet Connection and CODEC Interface
A broadband Internet connection is highly recommended. Although videoconferences are possible using a dial-up modem, the picture and sound quality is much better on broadband.  The CODEC interface allows the connection to go through.

Monitor with Speakers
Most schools have a television with speakers available to use for a videoconference.  Any television with A/V cable hookups will do.

Camera
A webcam is necessary so that our museum teachers can see and interact with your students.

Microphone
You can make do with a microphone that can be passed around, but it’s much better to invest in a microphone like this that will pick up sound in the entire room.

How many students can take part in a distance learning program?
Our distance learning programs can be performed for groups of nearly any size, however we prefer to work with groups of 30 students or less.  This provides for the most possible interaction with all students in a group.

What is the cost of a distance learning program?
All of our programs run from 45 to 60 minutes and are a flat fee of $100, regardless of the number of students.  There may also be an additional connection fee if you are using an ISDN phone line to connect to the program.  Also, there may be an additional supply charge for certain programs if there is an unusually large number of participating students.

How do I make a reservation?
Please call 1-888-547-1450, ext. 410 to book a program or for more information.