My tips for this issue concern ICN classroom use and the ICN classroom electrical circuit. As I have noticed a steady change in the uses of our ICN Classrooms, I thought these tips and thoughts worth mentioning. Schools are more frequently using the ICN classroom for reasons other than ICN use. I have always felt this is a good idea—the classrooms are owned by the school and they should use them to their maximum potential.
Why not use the ICN classroom for a speech class a couple times each month? Students would have a podium to stand behind and give their speech. Students and teachers could also use the podium, student camera and computer to show a PowerPoint or website to the class. Teachers could tape presentations and play them back to the class for critiquing. What a great place to have a math class! Place the calculator under the overhead and everyone can see it. These uses are beneficial and appropriate additional uses for these classrooms.
Using the ICN classrooms for additional purposes can, however, sometimes lead to problems. In addition to the uses above, I am also seeing the rooms used as small computer labs. These rooms were wired with a dedicated electrical circuit that allows all of the classroom equipment to power up by activating one or two switches under the podium. If several computers are plugged into this circuit, a circuit breaker can be tripped back in the FOT Room. Over time, the breaker will begin to soften and not stay on.
Once the breaker softens, it will begin to trip even when the classroom is turned on. This is a particularly bad situation for an evening class when no one is around to help if the breaker trips. Thus, if you are going to use the ICN classroom in a situation that will involve a large amount of electrical power, I would suggest you get that electrical power from the wall outlets and not under the podium or the tables where they are wired into the classroom equipment circuit. Small, but important changes in the way schools use their ICN classroom will keep them working successfully for a longer time.
My final thought for the blog involves the use of the ICN. We have a one-of-a-kind distance learning system in the state of Iowa called the Iowa Communications Network. The government spent $185,000,000 and developed a state agency to operate it. My question is why in the world aren’t we using it more? Why not support a good technology that works and add new technologies as options to make it even more useful?
The ICN equipment has been stable, and there are options available to upgrade it, such as the IP Option. By adding the IP Option or other upgrades, a classroom can reach beyond its walls. In addition, it’s a real classroom with a podium, teacher camera, student camera, overhead camera, DVD/VCR player, VHS recorder and a computer for the Internet and/or PowerPoint. There are so many reasons for increasing use of the ICN. There is a saying that states, “Content drives technology.”
Find reasons to use the ICN and apply pressure to acquire the technology. The two things we need most are reasons to use the ICN and leadership from teachers and administrators to develop a path to follow. Iowa needs to continue to utilize the ICN. New uses continue to evolve, and we must remember this is a great Iowa resource!
