State Information
Alaska | Idaho | Montana | Oregon | Washington
Alaska
Description: There is no statewide videoconferencing system serving education at this time. The state is developing plans for a statewide high-bandwidth network that could support such activity in the future, the core of which exists now between major communities.
Technology Design: Not available.
What the State Provides: Not available.
What the District Must Provide: A district may employ videoconferencing for instruction, such as has been in place for 8 years in the North Slope Borough School District, but the district must provide all the money for all aspects, including high bandwidth lines, in-district facilities, and staffing.
Contacts: None on this topic.
For videoconferencing examples in Alaska, see Barrow, AK.
back to topIdaho
Description: There is no state maintained or operated videoconferencing system in Idaho. However, statewide videoconferencing is possible and supported. Seven institutions of higher education operate and maintain "regional" two-way, interactive videoconferencing networks that include over 110 video conferencing rooms in the state. Any combination of sites from those "regional" networks can be included in a statewide videoconference. The "regional" networks are primarily compressed video over ISDN lines, but some microwave is also utilized. Those "regional" networks include both high school sites and remote campus facilities. There are approximately 40 high schools included in the mix of 110 rooms. More than 20 high school courses are shared via videoconferencing each semester and more than double that many higher education courses are delivered to high school sites during the day and evenings each semester. The majority of this is done inside the regional networks rather than statewide.
The JA&K Albertson foundation, through a statewide grant process, has begun to establish a K-12 network that supports videoconferencing. That network currently resides in 15 K-12 sites around the state and is H.323 standards based. Those sites can be bridged with the other H.320 videoconferencing sites in the state through a variety of gateways available in the state. More sites are planned to be added to this network in the coming years.
Technology Design: All Idaho sites use H.320 or H.323 standards. Equipment is from VTEL, CLI, Tandberg and PictureTel. The H.320 sites operate at 384 kbs bandwidth normally. The H.323 sites can operate at a variety of bandwidths. Several bridges are available in the state for connecting multiple sites to a single conference.
What the State Provides: The state provides an annual technology grant program, which provides limited funds to support plans submitted by districts. The district plans can include videoconferencing if the district wishes to use that medium to meet district and state instructional goals. The Idaho Council for Technology in Learning provides oversight for technology plans.
What the District Must Provide: Other than state or foundation grants, a district must provide funding for its technology efforts. In addition to equipment, wiring, and facilities within the district, they are responsible for their system design and obtaining telecommunications services from commercial vendors.
Contacts:
Bureau of Technology Services
(208)332-6800
Blake Beck, Statewide Distance Learning Coordinator
(208) 236-4739
beckblak@isu.edu
Web Links:
http://www.sde.state.id.us/bots for information on state provisions, state-approved vendors, and ICTL actions.
back to topMontana
Description: The state of Montana has established METNET, the Montana Educational Telecommunications Network for state agencies and other public agencies. It provides an interactive video system that consists of 13 locations in major communities over the state having two-way interactive compressed digital video facilities. It supports interactive video classes, training, hearings and interactive conferences between and among METNET sites, and with national or international locations. It can provide access to other networks including the Montana Tribal Colleges and three telemedicine networks. It is intended also to reduce travel expenses and time for public agencies in the state.
Technology Design: METNET uses standard or customized room-size videoconferencing systems based on H.320 standards, from VTEL, CLI, and PictureTel. They operate on a dial-up switched 56Kbps digital network, capable of transmission rates from 56Kbps to 1344Kbps. Connections to off-network or out-of-state locations is by AT&T or SPRINT.
What the State Provides: The state provides complete teleconferencing facilities at the network sites and maintains the high bandwidth lines connecting them. They are located in large room or classroom configuration with large monitors and a complete instructor or leader station.
What the District Must Provide: A district using the system must do so from one of the network sites, and must pay the hourly fees for site management, a network charge according to bandwidth, and miscellaneous other charges if incurred, such as bridging services and out-of-state long distance. It must pay the cost of staff transportation to and from the chosen site. There is no state provision for in-district teleconferencing sites, or for lines to connect them to the network. Any district wishing to engage in in-district teleconferencing must plan, acquire and pay for all costs.
Contacts:
Call (406) 444-6788 for site availability or scheduling or information.
Call (406) 444-7078 or 406.444-3517 for technical assistance.
Marko Lucich, Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Butte-Silverbow County
Phone: (406) 497-6377
mlucich@state.mt.us
Web Links:
http://www.state.mt.us/isd/metnet/index.htm for complete information on the network, costs, further technical specs, site contacts and other questions.
For videoconferencing examples in Montana<, see "Boiling Water", Youth Probation, and Videconferencing to Improve Interagency Collaboration.
back to topOregon
The Oregon Access Network is a distributed frame relay system; one of the first IP-based, H.323 networks in the country. The Network is "distributed" in that hubbing services are provided by several regional hubs and centralized switching is coordinated through a state agency hub. Monthly charges for hub membership vary from region to region, but basic rates average
The Network was installed in 200, following a year-long pilot project, OPEN Access21. The Oregon Access Network supports close to 2000 high school, community college, higher education, and hospital sites. Network participants utilize a variety of equipment, all standards-based, room-sized, and supported by trained staff.
The Oregon Access Network is utilized by students for daily classes, by teachers for professional development and collaboration opportunities, and by administrators to attend meeting with their peers in all areas of the state.
Contacts:
Camille Cole, e-Learning Distance Education Coordinator, Oregon Department of Education 503.378.3600 x4433; camille.cole@state.or.us
Jim Rose, Director, Oregon Public Education Network 503.675.4065; jimrose@open.k12.or.us
Network Operations Center: 503.378.6382
Web Links:
The Oregon Access Network http://www.ode.state.or.us/oraccessnet/
back to topWashington
Description: The Washington K-20 educational network builds upon an existing state-run telecommunications network to provide high bandwidth facilities to all educational institutions. Phase I connected all the higher education institutions and ESD's, and Phase II now offers connection to all K-12 school districts. The network will support Internet access and videoconferencing between connected schools in the state, and will offer videoconferencing between them and any out-of-state institutions that adhere to the same standards. It will provide digital services at prices well below market rates.
Technology Design: The engineering and technical standards established by the K-20 Design Steering Committee are presented in great detail in the Network section of the K-20 network web site (see Links below). For videoconferencing, they include H.320 and H.261 circuit switched interactive video, ISDN PRI and BRI, and ISDN multirate. They include MPEG-2 compressed video and audio for demand video and broadcast distribution.
What the State Provides: It provides the statewide network facilities up to the property line of the district, and circuit installation within the district. The state has also paid for a staff person called the ITU (Institutional Technical Unit) at each ESD to provide technical assistance in planning, connecting, and implementation.
What the District Must Provide: The district provides all wiring and equipment according to state standards and specifications within district property, and the maintenance and security of them. It pays for and arranges all building modifications, furniture, supplies, and staff, and pays for the ongoing line costs at the statewide rates. It must pay for all design and training services it wishes to receive from the K-20 network staff.
Contacts:
Primary First Contact: Call the ITU staff person at your ESD for information, assistance and further contact direction (see link below). Some ESD's have more than one staff member in that capacity. It is extremely important for district staff to talk to ESD staff first, as many of the planning issues for the context of the ESD area have probably already been addressed, including videoconference scheduling.
Mike Williams, Technology Coordinator, Aberdeen Public Schools
Phone: (360) 538-2036
mwilliams@asd5.org
Rick Feutz, Technology Coordinator, Bainbridge Island School District
Phone: (206) 780-1054
rfeutz@bainbridge.wednet.edu
Web Site Links: For complete information, any Washington district should review these sites:
http://www.k12.wa.us/k-20/video.aspx for an entry into all necessary information, including a roster of ITU contacts at ESD's
For videoconferencing examples in Washington, see "Where in WA", IEP Development, WA Staff Development, and Cascade Consortium.
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