Videoconference Program
NPS Photo/Kevin Daley Ellis Island's Distance Learning Studio "A Distant Shore" The next best thing to visiting the Ellis Island Immigration Museum is to participate in a videoconference distance learning program with a park ranger who broadcasts to your classroom live from Ellis Island. Students in grades 4-5 learn about the immigrant experience at Ellis Island through a variety of interpretive talks, videos, photos, and primary documents. This 40-minute program requires the completion of pre-visit and post-visit activities. This program is free of charge, but requires that the class has access to video conferencing equipment such as a Tandberg or Polycom video conferencing unit (Skype is not a connection option). A test call needs to take place several days before the scheduled connection so there is enough time to properly determine and work around connection issues, if any. Due to some school district's network security configuration, the National Park Service may launch the call connection; this will be determined by the outcome of the test call. You may download the "A Distant Shore" Teacher's Guide here. The program is offered September-March at both 10a.m., and 1p.m., and April-July at 1p.m. |
Did You Know?
Ellis Island was the busiest federal immigration station in America. On April 17, 1907 Ellis Island processed a record 11,747 immigrants. Today, the US Customs and Border Protection processes over 700,000 aliens daily through 326 official entry points and Ports of Entry. More...