Fairhope, Ala. - Educators at J. Larry Newton School got to use a powerful teaching tool last Wednesday when they uploaded a live video feed to the internet and connected with a third-grade class in Tennessee for a children's book reading and illustration lesson. J. Larry Newton School Media Specialist Melanie Langdon, who organized the event, said it was the school's first opportunity to host a distance learning session with the technology, which has been previously used to take "virtual field trips."

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"This is a method of teaching that well worth the initial effort and investment," Langdon said. "It's a way to broaden (the students) horizon without having them leave the classroom."

Author Sheila Booth-Alberstadt and illustrator Norris Hall presented two stories from their "Maggie McNair" children's book series, "Maggie McNair Has Spiders in Her Hair" and "Maggie McNair Wears Stinky Underwear." The presentation was later shared with J. Larry Newton students at a general assembly.