ICN News

This past month, senior students in a Hoover High School government class met with Senator Chuck Grassley in Washington D.C. via an ICN session. In a similar format as last spring’s PCM session with Senator Grassley, Mr. Kirk Stevens and his government students participated in a town meeting session where they initiated questions answered by the senator. Further student reflection and follow-up questions were addressed as the meeting progressed.

Questions for this session ranged from, “What does a typical work day look like for Senator Grassley while he serves in Washington DC?” to issues relevant mainly to Iowa. Students asked questions concerning global warming and its impact to Iowa’s economy, potential terrorist threats to Iowa’s food supply, and issues related to Iowa’s recent floods and disasters. The senator also answered questions about Social Security concerns for future generations.

Student feedback following their 35-minute meeting with Senator Grassley was very positive. For the six students interviewed, this was their first exchange with an Iowa senator. They appreciated that he spoke in an understandable, down-to-earth manner and were pleased that they could drive the questions and discussion. When asked if they would recommend this type of learning experience again for themselves or other students, they were all in agreement that it should be repeated. They would look forward to hearing about more political and governmental issues in the future. They may get their wish, as Lyneé Casper, ICN consultant states, “Further opportunities are being sought to connect Iowa’s Senators and Congressmen to Iowa students. Teachers have expressed interest in this 21st Century learning model.” As a further measure of the session’s success, many students felt the short length of the session was its only shortcoming.

This meeting is just one example of the bridging capabilities that the ICN can offer by allowing teachers and their students to connect outside the state of Iowa, and even internationally, through their local ICN school classrooms and IP or ISDN connections. For further information regarding the arrangement and costs for this or similar bridging videoconferences through the ICN, please visit the AEA 11 ICN site at http://www.aea11.k12.ia.us/tech/icn/ICNintegration.html or contact Casper, the ICN consultant for Heartland AEA 11, at lcasper@aea11.k12.ia.us for more information. ICN spokesperson Gail McMahon is also available at 515-725-47123 with information.