Software development projects...develop curriculum and instructional products for K-12 needs

Goal #1:
Instructional materials for improvement of instruction in mathematics, science, foreign languages, and other subjects, such as literacy skills and vocational education, will be developed and made available to educators and students of Iowa.

Activities:
1.1) Develop and disseminate multimedia instructional products for K-12 ICN-related uses.

1.2) Identify and disseminate information about current exemplary educational technology applications.

Goal #1 total: $923,321

Support for K-12 students in distance learning and technology...

resources to respond to varied needs of school districts.

Goal #2:
Iowa educators and students will be supported in distance learning technologies by training and access to ICN video and data resources.

Activities:
2.1) Provide resources to all K-12 sites on the ICN.

2.2) Provide staff development opportunities for K-12 educators in the use of educational technology and telecommunications for classroom applications.

2.3) Provide resources to support development of K-12 distance learning and Internet-based classes and/or special events.

2.4) Provide training opportunities to regional and local educational personnel regarding managing ICN video classroom equipment.

2.5) Provide training opportunities to regional and local educational personnel regarding managing local area or wide area networks.

2.6) Provide staff development support through the use of the ICN interactive video, Internet, and other telecommunications services to exemplify best practices in the area of literacy, assessment of student learning, and leadership skills regarding integration of technology and telecommunications.

Activity 2.1, 414 K-12 ICN sites @ $10,000/site: $4,140,000

Activities 2.2-2.5 total: $ 650,000

Activity 2.6 total: $ 350,000

Goal #2 total: $5,140,000

Access to distance education information and resources

Goal #3:
Iowa educators and students will have access to information and resources concerning distance education.

Activities:
3.1) Provide information to Iowa educators about ICN and other distance learning resources and services.

3.2) Implement a marketing plan for IDEA products and projects.

Goal #3 total: $332,847

Access to services...opportunities to participate in distance learning activities

Goal #4:
Iowa educators and students will have the opportunity to participate in ICN electronic field trips and demonstration sessions.

Activities:
4.1) Provide opportunities for students and educators to utilize the ICN video and data services for instructional purposes, especially in targeted curricular areas.

4.2) Investigate, acquire, and demonstrate new telecommunications and educational technology applications.

Goal #4 total: $779,008

Preservice teacher education...development for Iowa colleges and universities

Goal #5:
Support will be provided for distance education research and training needs of preservice programs in colleges and departments of teacher education in Iowa’s public and independent universities and colleges.

Activities:
5.1) The Teacher Education Alliance (TEA) will provide support for telecommunications and technology training needs of preservice programs in colleges and departments of teacher education in Iowa's public and private universities and colleges.

5.2) The Teacher Education Alliance will support research dealing with basic and applied issues of telecommunications and technology uses in Iowa.

Goal #5 total: $100,000

Evaluation of the project...coordination of data collection with policy identification

Goal #6:
Evaluation will document the impact of, and provide direction to, activities of the Iowa Distance Education Alliance partners.

Activities:
6.1) The evaluation team will assist each of the partners in designing evaluation plans and components.

6.2) The evaluation team will collect, analyze and report data to support all aspects of the evaluation plan.

6.3) Research will be conducted to provide a broad-based understanding of technology, teaching, and learning in Iowa schools.

6.4) Formal external evaluation will be conducted yearly by a three-member evaluator team with expertise in educational telecommunications, curriculum and instruction, and program evaluation.

6.5) Where possible, data will be collected to report the impact of Star Schools based on National Goals and Objectives.

6.6) Evaluation models for distributed learning will be developed.

Goal #6 total: $250,000

Integrating Technology and Telecommunications in Schools

Goal #7:
Integration of new technology and telecommunications incorporating best practices for teaching and learning will be demonstrated in Iowa schools.

Activities:
7.1) Provide coordination, between all levels of education, in the integration of new technology and telecommunications.

7.2) Provide assistance in planning, preparation, and implementation for distance learning technology at the local level.

Goal #7 total: $374,824

Demonstrating National Leadership

Goal #8:
Sharing will occur between states regarding development and implementation of state distance education systems.

Activities:
8.1) Hold a national conference in the summer of 1999 to focus on the successes and challenges of statewide distance education systems including the Iowa Communications Network.

Goal #7 total: $100,000