CONTENTS

UPFRONT - "TEACH, Wisconsin - a Major State Initiative"

IN PERSPECTIVE - "Online Effectiveness"; "New Evaluation Network"

FOCUS - "Instructional Communications Systems (ICS) Training, Resources, Facilities: 1996 in Review".

CAMPUS UPDATE - Add new information

DE CLEARINGHOUSE, NETNEWS - "Websites of Professional Resources"

FUNDING UPDATE - "ECB Grants Awarded"

SYSTEM UPDATE - "LTDC Formed"

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - "WETC 1997 Conference"

FYI - News and Reminders

NEW ON THE LIST - David Wang, Lance Urven and Dan Norris - UW-Whitewater; Jonathan Chin - ECB.

ENDNOTE - "Of Critical Importance: Information Literacy"

UPFRONT - "TEACH, Wisconsin - a Major State Initiative"

The state's new major technology initiative "TEACH Wisconsin" (Technology for Educational ACHievement in Wisconsin) was introduced by Governor Thompson in his "State of the State" address on January 29.

TEACH Wisconsin will be funded through various revenue sources including GPR, the common school fund, and the PSC's Universal Service Fund. The program will provide $50 million in loans to school districts during the next two years to upgrade electrical and network wiring, $25 million in 1997-98 and $40 million in 1998-99 to school districts through block grants. (This will replace the Educational Technology Board's competitive grants.)

A TEACH Wisconsin Board will also be created. Current state educational technology functions in other agencies, including the ETB, will be part of the new board.

School districts will have a T-1 line for Net access or a full-motion video (DS-3) line at no more than $250 per month. This is all part of DOA's BadgerNet initiative (see: http://www.state.wi.us/.statewide/.badgernet/).

To assure that new teachers are taught how to use technology in the classroom, the Governor will issue an executive order to establish the Teaching in the 21st Century Commission. The Commission will recommend standards in this area to the University of Wisconsin System and the Department of Public Instruction for incorporation into teacher licensing standards for both undergraduate teacher education programs and the recertification of teachers.

For more detailed information on TEACH Wisconsin and other new state initiatives visit the Governor's Web Site at: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/

IN PERSPECTIVE - "Online Effectiveness"

A study produced by Jerald Schutte, an applied statistics professor at the California State University- Northridge, provides some of the first quantitative data to be collected on virtual education, a field that has largely subsisted on anecdotal data. The study claims that students learning in a virtual classroom (using text posted online, e-mail, newsgroups, chat, and electronic homework assignments) tested 20% better than students who learned the material in a traditional classroom. There was statistically no difference between the sex, age, computer experience or attitude toward the subject material of the two groups. Both groups were given the same tests under the same conditions.

Schutte stated that the results can be explained by the online collaboration created in the virtual classroom, through the formation of peer groups. According to the study, students spent about 50% more time working with each other than the people in the traditional classroom. Schutte plans a further study with a sociology methods class in which he will add the dimension of single-subject replications. In this study students will learn some modules in the classroom and some online. Schutte will test them after each module to see if performance levels are different. (News.Com 17 Jan 97)

"New Evaluation Network" - McMaster University sociology professor Carl Cuneo is the head of a new $4.5 million research project called the Network for the Evaluation of Education and Training Technologies. Through the Evaluation Network, researchers from the academic community and industry will conduct a wide variety of studies that will include the evaluation of computer software, teacher resistance to technology and the effect of electronic delivery of courses on addictive behaviors. (Toronto Globe & Mail 7 Jan 97 A1&A8)

FOCUS

"Instructional Communications Systems (ICS)
Training, Resources and Facilities: 1996 in Review"
Compiled by ICS Staff

Training Workshops and Consultations - Training for UW System faculty and staff is a top priority for ICS program development staff. This includes assessing needs and developing training sessions for UW faculty and staff, as well as working intensively with individual faculty on specific courses and programs. Training covers a broad spectrum of technologies - audioconferencing, audiographics, compressed video, computer, the Internet and World Wide Web.

ICS training content focuses on the following areas and also includes successful examples, glossary materials and reference resources.

selecting teaching/learning technologies
exploring technology potential
understanding learners
identifying team roles in distance education
understanding design principles for formats and strategies
presentation skills and protocol
creating interactive activities
creating visuals and graphics
interfacing with other technologies and media
developing print materials
understanding copyright
planning for contingencies
integrating site and resource support
monitoring quality through continuous evaluation

Some examples of recent ICS training programs are:

* UW-Madison Administrative Medicine "Fellows" Master's Program - training addressed audioconferencing design strategies and effectiveness, protocol, instructional support, and included simulated interactive classroom experience.

* UW Collaborative Nursing Program (Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Eau Claire) - training workshops presented on effective use of audiographics and video for instruction, plus ongoing consultation with faculty/staff developing courses.

* UW Women's Studies - demonstrations of video and audiographics conferencing provided, with follow-up sessions focusing on course design and development issues.

* UW Centers - multiple audiographics training sessions provided an effective use of video for instruction, including hands-on activities and strategies for interactive learning.

* Wisconsin educators - demonstrations, training and consultations provided for groups and individuals seeking information about developing, maintaining and enhancing websites.

0 * Alliance Workshops - through a partnership with AT&T, Penn State University, Indiana University, and University of Wisconsin-Extension, ICS has developed training materials and implemented training sessions with the Federal Highway Administration, Bell Atlantic Learning Labs, Owens Corning, Educational Consultants and other organizations.

Resources - A variety of resources help facilitate information sharing about distance education and instructional technology. ICS has developed these initiatives in cooperation with UW institutions. Examples include: the DESIEN newsletter, the Distance Education Profile and Inventory publication, the Distance Learning Catalog and the Distance Education Clearinghouse. In addition, a new Virtual Institute for Technology, Teaching and Learning (VITAL) initiative will provide a database for effective technology practices for PK-12 teachers and undergraduate/graduate students.

A variety of technology training materials are used to supplement workshops and consultations, as well as provide resources for independent learners: "Successful Uses of Videoconferencing Fact Sheets"; "Breaking New Ground: Faculty Perspectives" videotape/print package; "The Essential Compressed Video Guide: 7 Keys to Success" and "Bridging the Distance". A new online training initiative, to become part of the Distance Education Clearinghouse, will provide access to training resources via the Web.

Facilities - Training is currently offered in a variety of settings, de- pending on training objectives, faculty location and/or group size. Some of the training is conducted at ICS, located in Radio Hall on the UW-Madison campus. Other training is conducted using one or more technologies and linking faculty/staff at multiple locations. The majority of workshops, whether offered locally or at a distance, allow faculty direct experience as both distance learners and teachers. ICS also uses a variety of other UW-Madison facilities, as well as traveling to other state locations to offer training.

UW-Extension's new Wisconsin Center, scheduled to open in fall 1998, will provide a state-of-the-art Center for Distance Education - including new an enhanced classrooms, faculty development/multi-media labs and instructional support spaces. The new Center will encourage faculty development and curriculum innovation, supported by access to leading edge distance education technologies, as well as design and support staff.

Within ICS, four staff provide curricular training programs and services for distance education and instructional technology. These team members also reach state audiences, as well as national and international audiences, by regularly offering distance education presentations and workshops at conferences and by publishing articles.

CAMPUS UPDATE

(Please add new information about your institution's distance education progress below.)

UW CENTERS -

UW-EAU CLAIRE -

UW-GREEN BAY -

UW-LA CROSSE -

UW-MADISON -

UW-MILWAUKEE -

UW-OSHKOSH -

UW-PLATTEVILLE -

UW-RIVER FALLS -

UW-PARKSIDE -

UW-STEVENS POINT -

UW-STOUT -

UW-SUPERIOR -

UW-WHITEWATER -

FROM THE DISTANCE EDUCATION CLEARINGHOUSE
NETNEWS
Michele Jacques
"Websites of Professional Resources"

Distance Education Clearinghouse on the web at: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/home.html

There are numerous websites for professional associations and other such organizations. A listing of several dozen sites is located on the Distance Education Clearinghouse at: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/assoc.html

Many associations now provide a wealth of information on their websites. For example, information about sponsored conferences, professional development opportunities, ongoing research areas, publications, events calendars, and descriptions of special projects are now often available from many association websites.

Complimentary to the list of associations, is a Clearinghouse page of selected distance education resources: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/lobother.htm

These resources are gathered from a variety of sources, including the professional associations' webpages, and offer users the opportunity to link to distance education and related resources sites. Sometimes, the entire publication is available online, sometimes the site provides a selection from a publication and then gives information about how to obtain the entire publication in hard copy.

We also maintain links to online journals, bibliographies, articles, and listservs about distance education and related topics. These links can be found under the general "News and Information" section of the Distance Education Clearinghouse at: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/listservs.html

Do you have any resources which you would like to have added to our collections? Please be sure to let me know. We would be grateful for new information which should be included. I can be reached at jacques@ics.uwex.edu or by phone at (608) 265-6178. Thanks.

Michele Jacques
Project Coordinator, WWW
Distance Education Clearinghouse
Instructional Communications Systems (ICS)
University of Wisconsin-Extension

FUNDING UPDATE - "ECB Grant Awards"

Seven University of Wisconsin institutions were recently awarded 1997 Distance Education Grant Awards:

* UW-Platteville - $10,000 to launch its first distance education offering of credit courses to students in the K-12 school districts in Southwest Wisconsin (CESA 3).

* UW-River Falls - $7,355 (River Falls, Eau Claire, La Crosse and Stevens Point) to train faculty to teach an introductory, multi-disciplinary course in East Asian Studies to all four institutions, with instructors from each institution using interactive television via the WONDER network.

* UW-La Crosse - $8,500 to develop a professional development technology seminar for faculty and staff of UW institutions, technical colleges, CESAs and K-12 schools.

* UW-Whitewater - $10,000 to adapt a science literacy general education course to two overlapping distance education formats: compressed or full-motion video to students from Whitewater high school and other UW institutions. The internet will be used for discussion, examinations and special projects. The second format will be an all-Internet course.

* UW-Extension and Milwaukee Public Schools - $10,000 to partner in the development of an interactive online professional development course for teachers in oral performance, using Lotus Notes.

* UW-Oshkosh - $5,015 to develop a series of interactive training sessions in distance education for faculty at UW-Oshkosh, UW- Green Bay, UW-Stevens Point and Fox Valley Technical College.

* UW-Milwaukee - $9,981 to develop and implement a prototype science education activity, in collaboration with Nicolet High School in Glendale, WI, designed to catalyze K-12 student partici- pation with university scientists. The prototype will be available on the WWW.

SYSTEM UPDATE
"Systemwide Learning Technologies Development Council (LTDC) Formed"
by Hal Schlais

At a meeting at UW Whitewater January 6-7, 1997, a systemwide group gathered to form the University of Wisconsin Learning Technology Development Council (LTDC). The formation of the LTDC was a response to a growing need to share systemwide the wide variety of expertise at each institution which supports the curricular integration of learning technologies. The group established a mission "to encourage systemwide collaboration and individual campus efforts which promote professional development in the effective use of learning technologies".

Its core members are the coordinators of the instructional/learning technology development centers of all the UW Campuses. An LTDC steering committee was formed to spearhead new directions and projects in searching for the balance between learning about technology and learning through technology. The steering committee consists of Susan McIntyre, UW-Eau Claire; Kathy Christoph, UW- Madison; Bob Kaleta, UW-Milwaukee; Sally Standiford, UW-River Falls; Patricia Ploetz, UW-Stevens Point; and Roger Yin, UW-White- water. Hal Schlais, Learning Technologies Liaison at UW System is facilitating the activities of the LTDC.

Six primary objectives were identified by the Council membership in order to focus its activities:

1) support the establishment and development of campus learning technology development centers,
2) establish effective means of communicating and sharing information, experiences, and expertise about learning technologies within the LTDC,
3) establish effective means of communicating and sharing information, experiences, and expertise about learning technologies within the UW System,
4) develop with UW Undergraduate Teaching Improvement Council, a grant program to support faculty in the use of learning technologies,
5) sponsor systemwide, regional and campus workshops and conferences dealing with teaching and learning technologies,
6) actively promote wider awareness of the appreciation of benefits of learning technologies throughout the State of Wisconsin.

Comments and recommendations about activities the group might pursue should be emailed to Hal Schlais at: hschlais@ccmail.uwsa.edu/ltdc/design.doc

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - "WETC 1997 Conference"

Mark Your Calendars Now...for the Wisconsin Educational Technology Conference (WETC) which will be held November 4-6, 1997 at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. WETC is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and the Wisconsin Technical College System, along with over 70 endorsing organizations.

The purpose of WETC is to advance the application of technology at all levels of education and training (PK-adult) in instruction, curriculum, learning resources, special needs, administration and planning. This year WETC is recommending that "institutional teams" be sent to WETC '97, so that upon returning to each institution or district, team support can be utilized.

WETC '97 will include:

A Keynote Speaker

20 + Workshops/Labs

120 + Sessions

50 + Exhibits

Excellent Networking

For an Application to Present (Application deadline is March 10) contact Richard Sorensen: sorenrj@mail.state.wi.us; for further information visit the WETC Website: http://www.board.tec.wi.us/wetc/wetc.htm

FYI - NEWS AND REMINDERS:

* The Wisconsin Association for Adult and Continuing Education (WAACE) 32nd Annual Spring Conference is scheduled for March 13-14 at the Paper Valley Convention Center in Appleton, WI. The conference focus is on "Developing a Tool Box for the 21st Century". Areas of interest are: continuing education, adult literacy, workplace education, community education, administration, marketing, technology, collaboration, etc. For further information contact: Julie Hellweg 715-346-3730.

* The 5th Annual Leading Edge Training Technologies Conference will take place March 18-19, 1997 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. "Training Technologies for the Future: Opportunities and Challenges" is the conference theme. For further information contact Ms. Drew Williams: 250-721-8779.

* The 7th Annual IDLCON Conference is scheduled for March 24-26, 1997 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Washington D. C. IDLCON is held in Washington, D.C. each year to enable members and attendees access to key policy makers. A legislative briefing for IDLCON attendees is part of Distance Learning Week, March 23-29, 1997. This year's emphasis is on distance learning in Russia and the newly independent republics of the former Soviet Union. For more information and registration call: 1-800-829-3400; International call: +1-510-606-5150.

* The theme for the 82nd Annual University Continuing Education Association (UCEA) Conference scheduled for April 11-14, 1997 is "New Realities-Redefining Partnerships with Our Communities". The conference, to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, will focus on the challenges for education in the digital age. For further information call: 202-659-3130.

* The K-12 Distance Education Program at Penn State is scheduled for April 13-14 at the Penn State Scanticon Conference Center Hotel. Issues to be addressed are: learners and learning, teachers and instruction, instructional design and administration/management. To receive a brochure call: 1-800-PSU-TODAY.

* The 3rd Annual International University Consortium (IUC) and University of Maryland System Institute Professional Development Workshop is scheduled for May 19-21 at College Park, Maryland. The workshop theme is - "learning.teaching.interacting@hyperspace/The Potential of the Web". The workshop is limited to 250 participants with no exceptions made to this limit. For registration information contact ICU at: 301-985-7811.

* The 18th ICDE World Conference, May 29-31, 1997 will be held at The Pennsylvania State University and will be presented in partnership with The World Bank. The conference is sponsored by The American Center for the Study of Distance Education (ACSDE) and the World Bank. Participation is expected from over 100 countries.

The ICDE World Conference will include the Fourth Pre- Conference Symposium on Research in Distance Education. The Symposium will focus on issues concerning distance education as a strategy in national development. Topics will include existing research on technology, program design, instructional methods and policy development with particular emphasis on Access and Equity, Cost and Quality, Cultural Identity and Technology Selection. A statement describing an agenda and strategy for further research focused on national economic and social development will be constructed by participants at the conclusion of the Symposium. Symposium leaders will be from the American Center, The World Bank UNESCO and the UK Open University. For further information and registration call: 814-863-3764.

*The NUTN Annual Conference, June 28-July 1, 1997 has issued a call for presentations. The Conference will be held at Marriott's Mountain Resort at Vail, CO and will focus on the theme "The Digital Millennium: Higher Education's New Paradigm". Deadline for presentation proposals is Feb. 1, 1997. For further information contact NUTN at: 757-683-3012.

* The 3rd Annual Teaching, Learning, Technology Roundtable (TLTR) Summer Institute will be held in Phoenix, AZ, July 12-15, 1997. Pre- and post-leadership workshops will be held July 11 and 16. The Institute will include activities for identifying and training TLTR event facilitators, leaders and chairs of local TLT Roundtables. Tracks will include: institutional planning/administration/finance; changing curriculum and student/faculty roles; education, technology and the human spirit; evaluation, assessment and research and external relations/partnerships. Participants will also be introduced to national project-based workshops - Flashlight, Epiphany, Crossroads, Student Technology Assistants, Financial Planning & Management, etc. For further information and registration contact Amanda Antico at: 202-293-6440 ext. 38.

* The 13th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching & Learning, "Competition-Connection-Collaboration" will take place August 6-8, 1997 in Madison, WI. Session proposals are due February 28. To receive a brochure that describes how to prepare and submit a proposal or for further information about the conference call: 608-265-4159.

* ACHE 59th Conference: The Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) is requesting proposals for its 59th Conference. Proposal Deadline is January 21, 1997. The Conference, titled "Access and Accessibility in an Information Age" will be held Oct. 25-28, 1997 at Penn State.

* The "WebNet '97 World Conference of the WWW, Internet, and Intranet", Oct. 31-Nov 5, 1997, Toronto, CANADA is issuing a call for papers, short papers, panels, tutorials, workshops, demonstrations and posters. This annual conference serves as a multi-disciplinary forum for the exchange of information on the development, applications and research of all topics related to the Web and encompasses the use, applications and societal and legal aspects of the Internet in its broadest sense. The conference is organized by the Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) in cooperation with WWW/Internet businesses & industry.

Submission Deadline is March 7, 1997. For further information about WebNet 97 call 804-973-3987, E-mail AACE@virginia.edu or see the WebNet '97 WebPage at: http://www.aace.org/conf/webnet

NEW ON THE LIST - Dr. David Wang, Assistant Professor and Coordinator for Lab/Classroom Support and Distance Education in the Division of Technology and Information Resources at UW-White- water; Lance Urven, Assistant Professor Biological Sciences, UW-Whitewater, who will teach "Science, Technology and Society" via distance education to high school students for college credit, fall of 1997; Dan Norris, UW-Whitewater and Jonathan Chin, Wisconsin Educational Communications Board.

ENDNOTE - "Of Critical Importance: Information Literacy" - In a future characterized by rapid change, the tools of information literacy are becoming critical. These tools are the perceptual tools that allow learners to understand the world in which they function, assess the differences among a wide variety of resources and evaluate these resources in order to make informed judgments. Information literacy is, in fact, now noted as one of five essential competencies for workers who need to function in the workplace as informed citizens.

Interest in information literacy is not new. Librarians have been active proponents of information literacy since the early '70's. In the late 80's, the American Library Association Presidential Committee on Information Literacy issued a report which identified the need for students to be adequately prepared to function in the changing electronic environment. More recently, over 60 educational associations formed the National Forum on Information Literacy (NFIL).

In this era of rapid change, as schools are restructured, teacher's roles are changing to that of guide and mentor to students who are learning to become active creators of their own knowledge through the use of a wide variety of resources that include: print, interviews, electronic resources, laser videodiscs, videotape, audiotape, etc.

In this new setting, the library media specialist and an integrated library program are critical components in the curriculum process. With the assistance of library media specialists and the integration of their program into the curriculum , teachers can better work with students to help them learn to "master" information literacy skills: defining their information needs; initiating the search strategy; locating resources; and communicating,interpreting and evaluating information. (Rosemary Lehman)

References:

"Information Literacy Position Paper" (1997), Wisconsin Educational Media Association (WEMA).

Oberman, Cerise (December 10, 1996). The Need for Information Literacy: Now!, presented on the panel "The Transformed Academy: Technology & Information Literacy", Annual Conference of Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools.

FEBRUARY ISSUE: FOCUS - "Under the VITAL Umbrella - PK-12 Initiatives"

DESIEN ARCHIVE: An Archive has been created for past issues and interaction comments. Locate at: http://www.uwex.edu/disted/desien/index.html

DESIEN (The Distance Education Systemwide Interactive Electronic Newsletter) has been created to encourage information exchange and discussion of distance education issues concerned with: 1) UW Systemwide distance education progress and institution course/program development, 2) faculty/ team development, 3) technology, 4) policy, 5) funding and 6) research. List recipients outside of the UW System are also welcome to join in with information contributions and discussion.

Each monthly issue will focus on an "area of interest", feature a regular column on the Distance Education Clearing- house by Michele Jacques, contain an FYI section, and list future areas of focus. Your continuous input through updates, features, questions and dialogue will be instrumental in helping DESIEN evolve and grow.

The coordinators of DESIEN are Rosemary Lehman and Pat Takemoto. The owner of DESIEN is Rosemary Lehman, lehman@ics.uwex.edu. Please contact Rosemary if you have concerns or problems. ListServ: DESIEN-List@uwex.edu