EDUCATION TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL

NOTES

February 18, 2005

 

 

I.          WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

The February 18, 2005, meeting of the Education Telecommunications Council was held at Iowa Public Television and various ICN sites.  The following members were present at roll call:  Al Bode, ISEA; Jim Bodensteiner, Board of Regents; Merv Cronbaugh, IACCT; John Hartung, IAICU; Ellen Kabat Lensch, IACCT; Pam Pfitzenmaier, IPTV; Chet Rzonca, Board of Regents; Gail Sullivan, DE; and Mary Travillian, AEA Boards.  Paul Bowers, IAICU; Dean Cook, SAI; Tim Dose, SAI;  Glenn Grove, AEA Boards; David Montgomery, DE/CIANS; and Kathryn O’Shaughnessy were absent.  Greg Davis, IASB; Mary Gannon, IASB; and Kay Runge, DE/Libraries; arrived late.

 

The following guests were present at roll call:  Kathy Guilgot, RTC 1; Bruce McKee, RTC 2; Kathy Goebel, RTC 5; Julie Thomas, RTC 6; John Haack, RTC 10; Pat Thieben, RTC 11; Pam Southworth, RTC 13; Cena Johnson, RTC 14; Linda Abel, RTC 15; Rebecca Hannum, RTC 16; Dennis Yoshimura, AEA 11; Mike Bacino, Tami Fujinaka, and Paula Schultz; ICN; and Gwen Nagel, Kathy Borlin, and Debbie Fiscus, IPTV.

 

Pam Pfitzenmaier informed the members and guests that she has resigned her position on the council and this would be her last meeting.

 

Pam Pfitzenmaier recommended that the ETC consider holding two meetings per year--one meeting in January in coordination with the legislature and another in June to coincide with the ITTC meeting on video rates and RTC funding. 

 

MOTION 1

Pam Pfitzenmaier made a motion to hold two ETC meetings per year in January and June.  Gail Sullivan seconded.  Discussion followed.

 

John Hartung offered a friendly amendment to recommend one meeting per year in June and other meetings as necessary.  Pam and Gail agreed to the friendly amendment.

 

Ayes—10; Nays—1; Not voting—0; Absent—7.  Motion with friendly amendment passed.

II.         ISSUES AND UPDATES

  1. ICN Report, John Gillispie

John Gillispie provided two handouts prior to his presentation.   The first--Proposed Legislative Action, would allow cities and counties to gain authorized user status to the network which would maximize the ability to share public safety and public health information.  It would also allow the ICN to sell/swap capacity and services to the private sector.  The intent of this is to allow those portions of the state that do not have access to advanced telecom services to be able to gain access on a cost-effective manner; would remove outdated statute requirements for non-education user councils and the annual five year report; creates a maintenance and capitol investment fund for replacement of equipment for the network and also funds a portion of the network; increases revenue by allowing interest earned to be invested back into the network; and would allow the ICN to accept for purchase Part III fiber from private vendors who were willing to do so.  Discussion followed.

 

John’s second handout: ICN Embraces Video over IP Technology explained that the expansion of IP videoconferencing to ICN’s menu of services allows the network to continue with its goal of having video services in every Iowa school building, and is a viable alternative for those schools not yet connected to the ICN due to location or cost considerations.  Travel is eliminated and more students and educators are able to benefit from the advantages of distance learning.  Districts can integrate video over IP with the full-motion ICN MPEG-2 video unit they already have and everyone in the district can take part in a videoconference from wherever they are, as long as there is Internet connectivity.  The ICN can now extend its reach into those areas of the state previously unreachable because fiber was not installed.  Discussion followed. 

 

The ICN requested that the ETC set up a committee to advise on specific equipment standards and define scheduling needs for IP videoconferencing.  Those who volunteered to participate in this committee are Greg Davis, John Hartung recommended Paul Bowers, Pam Pfitzenmaier recommended John O’Connell (DE), Kay Runge recommended her IT person, Pete Bowers; and Mary Travillian.  Mike Bacino will chair the meeting.

 

  1. Internet-based Class Demonstration, Steve Rheinschmidt

Steve Rheinschmidt gave a demonstration and provided information about what an on-line classes looks like.  There are several different platforms used to set up an online class—Blackboard, WebCT, eCollege, Angel, and the list goes on.  The Iowa Community College online consortium uses a common platform—eCollege.  All on-line classes have different components that are similar.  Steve demonstrated different areas of an online class that allows the student to perform virtual labs, interact with instructors via a threaded discussion, an area that works as an introduction to the class, asking students questions like where they go to school, where they live and why they are taking the class.  This is where instructors begin to build community within their course and allows students and instructors to interact.  There are chat rooms and whiteboards available for online courses.  For more information, contact Steve Rheinschmidt via email at Southeastern Community College  srheinschmidt@secc.cc.ia.us.
  1. Report on Classes and Enrollments in ICN Video and Internet Courses, Laurie Adolph

Laurie Adolph of EICC provided an overview of the educational classes survey Final Report for the 2003-2004 school year.  Internet course enrollment increased from 18,222 students last year to 26,510 this year.  ICN courses decreased in number and enrollment this year.  Last year there were 1,228 ICN courses.  This year there were 1,013.  Last year ICN enrollment was 37,970 students and this year it was 30,773.  Following a discussion, it was determined there was data not included that would make a noticeable change in the numbers.  Laurie asked if there was a way to be more proactive in obtaining the information needed for this survey.  Pat Thieben suggested sending the report to the ETC and RTC coordinators prior to finalizing, allowing them to pursue those individuals responsible for submitting the correct information to the website prior to submitting the Final Report.  Laurie stated that she would be able to provide the tables/charts prior to the final report so they can be approved beforehand.  For this report, Laurie asked that updates be sent to via email to Miriam Jolly at mjolly@eicc.edu and to put IPT Correction from (INSTITUTION NAME) in the subject line.

 

  1. Legislative Update—All Members

Mary Gannon stated that the house education committee report on educational technology was not moving at the time of the meeting.  Discussion followed.

 

III.                REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND GUESTS

Mary Travillian asked if the change in the ETC meeting times also apply to the RTCs.  Further discussion also mentioned that one ETC meeting is scheduled (June 2) and 3 other dates would be held for tentative meetings if needed.  Ellen said that she would research these changes and include it on the agenda at the next ETC meeting.

 

IV.               ADJOURNMENT

The February 18, 2005, meeting of the Education Telecommunications Council adjourned at 10:30 a.m.  The next meeting of the ETC will be June 2, 2004, at Iowa Public Television.

 

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