FORT LAUDERDALE—OCTOBER 13, 2009 – BECON-TV is hosting a live, interactive Distance Learning Outreach presentation for students to participate through observation only, in a cervical spine surgery at Memorial Healthcare System on November 10, 2009 at 8:30 AM. Dr. Greg Zorman, Chief of Neurosurgery for Memorial Healthcare System, will perform the surgery. Dr. Zorman is a former Chief of Staff for Memorial Regional Hospital.

Videoconferencing allows students to come together for interactive presentations and instruction without leaving their classroom. A pre and post test will be administered to the students as well as providing a reference guide about the cervical spine surgery. Sixteen high schools will have an opportunity to be engaged in this interactive program, originating from Memorial Healthcare System. This collaboration allows the students to take virtual field into the operating room that they might never visit otherwise.

The high schools that will be participating in the two-way, interactive Distance Learning presentation include:
Blanche Ely High School
Coral Glades High School
Cypress Bay High School
Dillard High School
Hallandale High School
McArthur High School
South Plantation High School
Stranahan High School
West Broward High School
Western High School

Six other high schools will be viewing the Distance Learning presentation, they include:

Piper High School
Boyd Anderson High School
Coral Springs High School
Hollywood Hills High School
Seagull High School
Miramar High School

The primary goal of the District’s Distance Learning Outreach Program is seeking out organizations and communities that will provide students with learning experiences through the use of 21st Century Technology. BECON Distance Learning Outreach is currently developing a network of content providers and welcomes partners nationwide and internationally. Those interested in participating in distance learning academic programs or being a content provider for Broward County Public Schools should contact Joy Veasy, Distance Learning Outreach Specialist, at 754-321-1109.

BECON Distance Learning Outreach is a division of BECON-TV, which is owned and operated by the School Board of Broward County. BECON-TV provides curriculum-based instructional programs for classroom teachers and broadcasting noncommercial, educational programming to the South Florida community.