December 30, 2008
Annual Report Now Available
The Fiscal Year 2008 Annual Report for ICN is now available. The report outlines activities for July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, including a recap of the effects of the Floods of 2008 on the Network. Other highlights include the increased need for bandwidth and access to high-speed Internet by ICN customers, such as K-12 schools.
ICN Annual Report
December 18, 2008
ICN Increases Collections for Toys for Tots
Children around Central Iowa will benefit once again this holiday season from ICN employees’ generosity.
The ICN participates in the annual state employee Toys for Tots campaign. This year the state agency’s 87 employees donated more money and twice as many toys as last year. Fundraising events such as Take a Toy to Lunch and Penny Wars resulted in donations of almost $500 and 110 toys.
Brubaker Elementary 5th grader Dillon Dobberke presents a Toys for Tots class donation to ICN Deputy Director Joseph Cassis.
Students from Brubaker Elementary School in Des Moines assisted the ICN effort. Mrs. Lucs’ second grade class and Mr. Scheer’s fifth grade class supplied lists of gift suggestions. Mr. Scheer’s class also elected to donate $10 to the Toys for Tots campaign from fundraising money they had earned. The class’s generous donation was acknowledged with a Certificate of Recognition signed by Governor Culver.
The ICN is committed to continued enhancement of distance learning and providing Iowans with equal access to education and government through videoconferencing, voice, and data services. For more information about the ICN, visit www.icn.state.ia.us.
Heartland AEA, is Now Available Online in a Blog Format
Heartland AEA Puts News in Blog Format http://icn-news.aea11.k12.ia.us
The ICN News, published by Heartland AEA, is now available online in a blog format. The first blog issue, published in October 2008, is now an archived link on the blog. Future issues will be posted in March and May of 2009.
The December ICN NEWS issue focuses on the theme of "Exploring IPTV Sessions."
Heartland's ICN News Blog offers communications to AEA 11 schools with vital information regarding K-12 educational opportunities via the ICN. Examples are: AEA 11 ICN activities, IPTV and ICN news, and Iowa Online Course offerings.
Additionally, Heartland's ICN Distance Learning Website serves as a portal for in-depth ICN information with resources available at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/tech/icn/ .
Heartland's ICN Distance Learning Blog and ICN Distance Learning Website are designed for anyone interested in learning more about ICN activities, including guides/resources in instructional planning for ICN and distance learning for students, teachers or administrators. ICN district site contacts, district technology and building technology contacts, technology integration contacts, as well as classroom teachers, media specialists, counselors, and district school leaders can benefit from this information.
Heartland AEA schools can contact Heartland’s ICN instructional support contact, Lynee Casper, for assistance or ICN consultation. You may e-mail her at lcasper@aea11.k12.ia.us.
November 20, 2008
November 2008 ICN E-News Update
How do you learn to speak Chinese, be a news reporter, and investigate crimes all in the same day? Through distance learning opportunities delivered over the Iowa Communications Network!
During National Distance Learning Week, November 10 -14, 2008, ICN salutes its customers who provide educational opportunities over the Network and the Iowans who benefit from them. More........
October 21, 2008
ICN in the News
When Spencer school board members slashed approximately $1.1 million from the 2008-09 school year
budget, they introduced a new manner of instruction for Spencer students. The long-distance alternative
has been received very well, in turn, by Spencer High School (SHS) students and staff alike. More......
October 15, 2008
Kirkwood Community College Spring 2009 Class Schedule for High School Students
Earn college credit while you’re still in high school through a program called Postsecondary Enrollment Option (PSEO). You will take Kirkwood classes, but the college credit you earn will transfer to most colleges and universities. More.......
October 13, 2008
September 25 Proclaimed ICN Day!
The opening session of In Toto 2008 included a special proclamation from Governor Chet Culver’s Office. A member of the governor’s staff, Lauren Burt, presented the proclamation to ICN Executive Director John Gillispie, which read: More........
Awards presented at ICN In Toto Conference
Two special annual awards were presented at this year’s this year’s ICN In Toto 2008 conference – Food for Thought: Catering to Iowans- held September 25 at the State Historical Building.
Deanna Clingan-Fisher, Legal Services Developer for the Department of Elder Affairs, accepted the Innovative Use of the ICN award on behalf of Elder Affairs. The DEA was recognized for efforts to bring essential information to elder Iowans and their caregivers through the Elder Law Series. Over 1500 citizens have benefitted from the series of one-hour sessions conveniently located at 26 sites around the state.
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| Deanna Clingan-Fisher and Gail McMahon |
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Judy Bonnstetter, Regional Scheduler from Northeast Iowa Community College |
Four schedulers were nominated for the 2008 ICN Scheduler of the Year award. The winner was Judy Bonnstetter, Regional Scheduler from Northeast Iowa Community College. Also nominated were Jackie Kokke, Administrative Regional Scheduler for the State Library of Iowa, Rebecca Head, Scheduler for the Department of Economic Development, and Dawn Fratzke, Regional Scheduler (#7) at Hawkeye Community College.
September 26, 2008
In Toto 2008 - Food for Thought - Catering to Iowans
Local site contacts, educational and administrative schedulers and others associated with the Iowa Communications Network enjoyed a day of learning at the annual In Toto conference on September 25.The beautiful State Historical Building was the site for the day of breakout sessions on topics such as the latest in Video over IP, presentation tips, and other professional development issues.
Keynote speaker Dr. Leigh Zeitz, University of Northern Iowa professor, provided an enlightening and entertaining workshop on the many digital forms of communication available to us today. His presentation even included a brief visit with a friend in Holland using Skype.
September 2, 2008
September ICN E-News
The second annual ICN In Toto conference will be Thursday, September 25, at the beautiful State Historical Building in Des Moines. A special pre-conference workshop will be held Wednesday afternoon, September 24th. All educational and administrative schedulers, RTC and ETC members, technology coordinators and others directly involved with the ICN are encouraged to attend. A full day of information sessions are scheduled. For details, or to register, visit http://www.icn.state.ia.us/intoto/index.html.
More........
August 22, 2008
August ICN E-News
Welcome back! I hope you had an enjoyable summer; I know some of you may have been directly affected by the Floods of 2008 and other tragedies resulting from Iowa’s natural disasters this spring and summer. On behalf of the ICN staff, our thoughts and prayers go out to you, your students, and their families who are picking up the pieces of their lives. More.....
August 4, 2008
Iowa schools continue to benefit from ICN technology over travel
As gas prices stay high, with little immediate relief in sight, Iowa educators and their students head into the school year with more opportunities to save fuel and time by learning over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN).
Last year, over 9,200 hours of video sessions were delivered through the K-12 Connections program, for a 26% increase over the previous year. K-12 Connections is a collaborative effort by ICN and Iowa Public Television (IPTV) and provides live, interactive, distance learning opportunities at no cost to students, teachers, or school districts, unless continuing education or certification credit is involved.
About 25% of the 43,000 participants were adults taking part in professional development opportunities, such as bullying prevention, school nurse certification, and food safety. One session brought together over 2,000 food nutrition workers at 236 ICN video classrooms in the largest session to be held in the Network’s 15-year history.
More training and professional development opportunities are being created for the 2008-2009 school year, which will allow school staff and districts to benefit from increasing their expertise in vital educational topics, with little to no fuel costs or travel time.
Also this coming school year, high school students have the opportunity to take Chinese language and Ornithology classes over the ICN, which are just two of several classes offered through the Iowa Learning Online program of the Department of Education. During the 2007-2008 school year, classes in foreign languages, health sciences/medicine, science and math led the way in the number of hours offered to students through high school class-sharing agreements or by two and four-year colleges over the Network.
As the State’s fiber optic network, ICN is an integral part of education, health, justice, and welfare for Iowans, making it possible for Iowans to participate in a way that is efficient and cost-effective for all. ICN is committed to continued enhancement of distance learning and providing Iowans with convenient equal access to education and government at over 740 classrooms around the state. For more information about ICN visit www.icn.state.ia.us.
July 30, 2008
Virtual Student Town Meetings - Bringing the Nation's Capitol to your Students!
Use Iowa Communications Network videoconferencing for an innovative way to meet with Iowa high school students in an engaging learning experience! More.......
Where in the world do you want your students to go?
As part of its continuing series on bringing world-class education back to Iowa schools, a recent Des Moines Register editorial encouraged schools to connect their students internationally using the ICN.
For more information on how to take your students anywhere in the state, country or world, contact ICN Public Relations Manager Gail McMahon at gail.mcmahon@iowa.gov!
More..........
July 20, 2008
Congratulations on Flood Restoration Efforts
Thanks for your assistance and directives to accomplish establishing the temporary Linn County Courthouse location with a network connection. I appreciate your efforts last Sunday and during the course of last week. With your assistance we were able to restore the Judges, Court Administration and Clerks offices on Wednesday. You greatly assisted the administration of justice for the citizens of Iowa during some really stressful conditions. We depend upon the ICN to provide these essential services to our courts for the administration of justice.
As you most likely know, the Linn County Courthouse sustained a great loss of equipment and records during this flood. It will be months before they return to the courthouse.
Please pass along our appreciation to the many on your staff who made this happen in rapid fashion.
Thanks again.
Larry J. Murphy
Director of Information Systems and Technology
Judicial Branch
1111 East Court Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
May 22, 2008
Moldovan Officials Visit ICN
Government officials from Eastern Europe recently spent the day learning from Iowa Communications Network officials and some of the Network’s authorized users.
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Ten information technology professionals from the Republic of Moldova learned basics of how the state fiber optics network was operated, along with the many benefits it brings to Iowans. During the visit they heard from Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission (ITTC) Chairperson Betsy Brandsgard, ITTC Commissioner Tim Lapointe, and ICN Executive Director John Gillispie about Network governance and operations. The group also learned from Iowa Public Television, Department of Education, and Des Moines Public Schools representatives about projects involving ICN, and ICN’s new IP videoconferencing service.
Director of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Igor Cojocaru, said he learned a great deal from the visit.
“We have many technology projects we know we need to do in Moldova; it is beneficial to see in person and visualize what it is we need to do,” said Cojocaru.
The Academy in Moldova plans to be opening the fall of 2008 and will be a school for gifted and talented students. Cojacaru said he would like to be able to connect his students to students in Iowa using the technology he saw during his visit with ICN, despite the eight-hour time difference.
The visit was arranged by the Iowa Council for International Understanding and is part of the Community Connections Program. The program is managed by the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and administered by World Learning, is designed to promote public diplomacy through the exchange of cultural ideas and values among participants, U.S. families and local community host organizations. It seeks to establish and strengthen links between U.S. communities and communities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
As the state’s fiber optics network, ICN is an integral part of education, health, justice, and welfare for Iowans. ICN is committed to continued enhancement of distance learning and providing Iowans with convenient equal access to education and government at over 750 classrooms around the state.
May 20, 2008
“The Call of the Wild”
On Wednesday, May 14, the Iowa Historical Museum and IPTV teamed up to host “The Call of the Wild” video session for middle and high school students. The Des Moines Scavo High School Readers’ Theater presented this event, with guidance from teachers Suzet Nelson-Larson and Ellen Robinson, as part of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Big Read program.
“Stories are important in our lives. This opportunity allows students to learn a classic story, reflect on implications of the characters, and find out how they relate to life today,” said Anita Micich, director of Scavo Alternative High school, on this opportunity for students.
Susan Jellinger, Iowa Historical Librarian, introduced the session and explained the Big Read project. The NEA encourages reading for pleasure and enlightenment to students through this project. Of the 16 optional books, Jack London’s “The Call of the Wild” was chosen because of its historical connection to Iowa. The Iowa Historical Museum focused on creating a trail of readings in classrooms across Iowa similar to the trail London and his protest group, Kelly’s Industrial Army, traveled.
Eight students, the teachers, and Micich, presented from the ICN classroom at IPTV. Each prepared a segment from the Jack London story and read through an individual microphone. A class joined them from the Central Campus High School ICN video classroom in Des Moines, and read along with the story. Each time a new student spoke, the camera moved to the reader.
The Scavo Readers’ Theater had the chance to explore a classic and share their findings with others. This is another of the many opportunities an ICN classroom can offer students.
May 1, 2008
Heartland AEA ICN Newsletter
The May 08 Electronic Edition of the Heartland AEA 11 ICN NEWS Distance Learning Newsletter is now available at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/tech/icn/PDF_Files/ICNNewsMay08.pd
E-News Update
Enews from September through March 2008 are now posted in
ICN Newsletter Archive
April 25, 2008
ICN Receives Accolades from State Association
ICN has been honored for its contributions to education in Iowa. The state agency was presented the 2008 Innovators Award from the Iowa Distance Learning Association (IDLA) in a presentation Friday, April 18, at the organization’s annual conference in Cedar Rapids.
The honor is given to individuals or organizations for contributions to distance learning through outstanding teaching, program design and development, innovations in methods, technique, and technology, and advocacy.
ICN Executive Director, John Gillispie, said the organization is honored to receive such high recognition from the educational field.
“The ICN is proud to play such an integral part in education for all Iowans. Especially during these times of high fuel costs, we can assist in transporting knowledge, instead of students, increasing the globalization of Iowa education,” said Gillispie.
The ICN recently carried the largest session in its 15-year history, comprised of 250 video classrooms and over 2,000 participants.
April 4, 2008
ICN in the News
The largest videoconference in the 15-year history of the ICN was held successfully Thursday, April 3, 2008.
ICN Newsletter Archive
ICN in the Spotlight
ICN is the spotlight article in the most recent issue of Distance Learning…for Educators, Trainers, and Leaders (Volume 5, Number 1, 2008). The magazine is an official publication of the United States Distance Learning Association. The article was a team effort by John Gillispie, Joe Cassis, Tami Fujinaka, and Gail McMahon.
March 26, 2008
ICN Helps Support Renewable Energy in Iowa
The Iowa Communications Network has surpassed the governor’s state government-wide mandated goal for renewable energy and fuel efficiency.
Governor Culver’s Executive Order No. 3 mandates that the State’s purchases of E85 fuel be increased to 60% for flexible fuel vehicles by June 30, 2009. ICN has gone above and beyond the government-wide target, with E85 comprising 80% of fuel purchased for ICN traveling staff since July 1, 2007.
Today, the Iowa Department of Administrative Services vehicle fleet has more than 1059 flexible-fueled vehicles capable of operating with E85 fuel. There are more than 96 retail and government stations offering E85 to Iowa motorists.
Visit http://das.gse.iowa.gov/fleet/e85_fueling_sites.pdf for an up-to-date listing of Iowa E85 stations.
March 21, 2008
Kirkwood ICN Class Offerings Now Available for Fall 2008
Earn college credit while you’re still in high school through a program called Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). You will take Kirkwood classes, but the college credit you earn will transfer to most colleges and universities. More.......
Hardman Reappointed
Dr. Robert Hardman has been reappointed to the Iowa Telecommunications and Technology Commission by Governor Culver. The reappointment was made March 17 and will be Dr. Hardman’s second term on the ITTC.
Dr. Hardman is professor emeritus at the University of Northern Iowa, from where he retired in 1999. Appointed by Governor Vilsack to serve on the ITTC through April 2008, Dr. Hardman served on the executive planning committee for the development of the ICN and has delivered numerous national and international workshops and presentations on the use of educational technology and telecommunications. Dr. Hardman has been honored with several awards, including: the Career Achievement Award from the Educational Telecommunications Council; the Distinguished Service Award from the Iowa Association for Communication Technology; the national Excellence in Teaching and Teacher Lamp Lighter Award, the most prestigious award offered by the Iowa Educational Media Association.
Dr. Hardman’s academic background in distance learning has been an asset to the commission.
Heartland AEA ICN News
Heartland’s March ICN Newsletter is now available at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/tech/icn/icnnews.html.
March 11, 2008
From Senator Grassley’s Blog Regarding Using the ICN to Visit with Students
2/5/08 - Yesterday afternoon I participated in a virtual town hall meeting with students from Prairie City Monroe High School. Visiting with students and hearing what is important to young Iowans has always been a priority of mine. That’s why during my annual visits to Iowa’s 99 counties, I usually visit several schools and students groups. Using this teleconference technology will allow me to hear from many more students and several other schools. And it is almost as good as being in the classroom, and I don't have to worry about being snowed out!
March 4, 2008
E-News Update
Enews from September through March 2008 are now posted in
ICN Newsletter Archive
Wednesday February 27, 2008
ICN in the News
New ICN Site Featured at Waukon Grand Opening – Waukon Standard, February 6, 2008
More.......
February 22, 2008
From Monroe, Iowa, to the Nation’s Capital – An ICN Town Meeting
Students at PCM High School in Monroe took part in a pilot this week using the ICN to meet with Senator Charles Grassley. PCM was selected for the discussion because first-year PCM social studies teacher, Seth Poldberg, was an intern in the senator’s office last year. The 23 students were from American Government and Medical Terminology classes and included the student body president and vice-president.
The government students had prepared questions addressing college tuition increases, the benefits of diversity in politics, and term limits for Congress. Grassley, located in his Washington, D.C. office, told the students he hopes to hold more of these virtual town meetings with high schools around the state.
E-News Update
Enews from February 2008 is now posted in
Newsletter
February 1, 2008
Politics – Iowa vs. New Hampshire over the ICN
Hoover High School teacher Kirk Stevens said the opportunity for his senior social studies students to have an interstate political conversation was an eye-opener for everyone, in many ways, and he can’t wait to do a similar session.
“I think students were amazed to see that students in other parts of the country were so intrigued with our democratic process here in Iowa. It was a great way to begin the semester and made the kids that much more interested in what is to come this semester,” said Stevens. More........
Des Moines Schools Partners with ICN and IPTV for ILTC Grant
Iowa Communications Network staff is providing technical expertise in a project for which the Des Moines Public Schools was recently awarded a grant. DMPS was one of six districts to be awarded a grant from the Iowa Learning Technology Commission. The $100,000 grant is for a pilot project to enable schools to have technology to enhance specific curriculum
The program is called GET INSPIRED - an acronym for Global Education and Technology: Innovative Student Practices in Relevant Education - and focuses on enhancing social studies curriculum using technology, such as Video over IP, laptop computers, wiki/blogging capabilities, and even video production resources, to create frequent interaction and information exchanges.
Along with technical ICN providing technical consultation for the project, IPTV will provide curriculum content assistance through K-12 Connections and Iowa Pathways online programming. The grant project was designed to be replicable by other schools in the future.
January 24, 2008
U of I Cancer Center Receives Lance Armstrong Foundation Grant for ICN Program
Leaders of Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa announced today that they
recently received a grant of $44,295 from the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF). More.......
Comments from Iowa Communications Network Executive Director
StateTech online magazine features comments from Iowa Communications Network Executive Director John Gillispie regarding construction and maintenance of fiber networks. The magazine provides technology insights for leaders in state and local government.
http://statetechmag.com/events/updates/fiber-finesse.html
January 8, 2008
Caucus night in January and the ICN was there...
Behind the bright lights and television cameras, Iowa Communications Network (ICN) supplied voice, Internet, data, and video services to various national and international 2008 Iowa caucus broadcasts. More...
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| ICN Capitol Complex Wiring technicians Jason Mease and Greg Dorrell on the CBS set at the State Library. Mease, Dorrell, Dan Schuchard and Jim Gribble plus outside contactors all worked on the CBS project in the Law Library. |
A view of the CBS set from a balcony. |
