Video Crew Visits Woodland School to Highlight Technologies

Inspired by former Woodland student Peyton Walton, who has been battling a rare form of cancer for the past year, a video production crew recently shadowed Woodland School 5th graders and their teacher Colleen Krumm for two days as part of a project to highlight how adaptive technology can be used to connect homebound students to their classrooms.
No small task given that the six-person crew consisted of two camera operators, sound and lighting technicians, a director and the product marketing manager for Cisco Systems, the California-based technology company that is producing two short videos to showcase collaborative technology and the positive impact it can have in the classroom.
At the heart of the project are Peyton and her mother, Lynn Schaeber, who are on a mission to educate policymakers, healthcare providers, teachers and others about the uses and benefits of video collaboration and other technology for children unable to attend school due to a critical illness or other reason.
“It’s unconscionable that, in today’s day and age, children can’t attend school just because they physically can’t be there,” says Schaeber. “We have the technology to keep these kids connected and the benefits far outweigh the costs. This technology costs less than tutors, the kids can go to school in real time, and they can be actively engaged in their own education with their peers.” Peyton, who turns 11 this summer, was diagnosed with Embryonal Hepatic Liver Sarcoma in June 2015, as her family was preparing to move from Warren to Maryland.
While undergoing rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at hospitals in Washington, D.C. and New York, Peyton was able to continue her schoolwork with the help of her Chromebook, video teleconferencing and a robot she dubbed PAVS for “Peyton’s Awesome Virtual Self.”