Bruce Dewey
InfoSource Manager/Distance Education Specialist
Rosemary Lehman
Senior Outreach/Distance Education Specialist
Instructional Communications Systems, UW-Extension (ICS)

 

For over a century, the people of Wisconsin have looked to the University of Wisconsin - Extension (UWEX) as their gateway to the University. Extension is the "Wisconsin Idea" - extending the resources of the University to the State borders and beyond - truly the people's University connection. Through its programming divisions, and its collaborative relationships with the 26 UW universities and colleges, the 72 Wisconsin counties, and countless local, state, and federal agencies and groups, Extension provides a spectrum of lifelong learning opportunities for Wisconsin citizens

The size of the effort is extensive. Each year, more than one million Wisconsin residents participate in extension programs, through a wide variety of delivery methods, from workshops and one-on-one counseling to interactive networks and correspondence study - all designed to make education accessible. Supporting these programs, faculty, and staff is an array of administrative and program support services, including our unit - Instructional Communications Systems (ICS). ICS is an academic support unit of UWEX. In 1965, ICS began by launching the Educational Teleconference Network (ETN), linking 200 sites throughout the state via two-way audio contacts with speakers anywhere in the world. In 1969, the Statewide Extension Education Network (SEEN) added video to the telephone system to present slides, graphics, and other visual materials in continuing education and credit classes at 26 sites. The UWEX teleconference networks, which now include the WisLine dial-up teleconference service linking phones anywhere in the world, and compressed videoconferencing, are widely acknowledged as the world models for national and international teleconference systems in business, industry, government, and education.

In 1995, the state budget authorized construction of a $13 million renovation and a state-of-the-art addition to the Wisconsin Center conference facility. In 1997, Thomas and Judith Pyle of Madison presented a naming gift of over $2 million for the renovation of and an addition to the Wisconsin Center- Extension's flagship continuing education conference and distance education facility now known as The Pyle Center.

Director, Marcia Baird, and Assistant Director/Technical Director, Denny Gilbertson provide the leadership for Instructional ICS. Six unit managers oversee: Audio Production, Computer Services, Electronic Publishing, Scheduling & Program Coordination, Technical Services & Development and Teleconference & Classroom Operations. In addition, there is an Instructional Design and Training Services Team that works directly with faculty and staff to utilize the technologies most effectively. In total there are more than 35 full time staff and more than 20 student workers. The major systems supported by ICS include: * Interactive Compressed Videoconferencing, as part of this support, ICS also operates the bridging service that connects other sites can be connected on a course-by-course basis, worldwide; * The Educational Teleconference Network links 100 classroom sites statewide; WisLine Teleconferencing Service link up to 140 telephone lines anywhere in the world; * The WisView Audiographics network combines audio teleconferencing with computer graphics; * Satellite Services includes a variety of services to support satellite videoconferences. ICS also supports WisSat, the UWEX Cooperative Extension system of satellite downlink sites everyone of the 72 county Extension Offices in Wisconsin. * InfoSource is a user-friendly educational service, allowing consumers to access more than 600 short messages via the telephone and the World Wide Web. * Web Based Support Services, a unit that provides support to several Web based operations throughout Extension and the UW System, including The Distance Education Clearinghouse. * Technical Support Services provides technical consultation and demonstrating of equipment, testing emerging technological equipment and systems and evaluating project proposals

With the development of its Instructional Design and Training >Services Team, in 1995, ICS expanded its support for UW System >faculty, UW distance education teams and state agencies. Reaching >beyond the borders of the state, this team is also providing >training, consulting, information sharing and materials nationally >and internationally. The past four and a half years have been >ambitious, progressive and rewarding ones for the team. Activities >have included: 1) the development of training sessions, workshops >and individual consultations; 2) involvement with conferences, >presentations and papers; 3) participation in leadership and >liaison roles; 4) the development of resources and information >sharing; 5) the creation of products and materials; and 6) participation in professional development programs.

1) Training for the UW System institutions has been a top priority for the Instructional Design and Training Services Team, working with UW faculty to assist them in learning about audioconferencing, audiographics, videoconferencing and the blended use of technologies. With the University of Wisconsin System and UWEX's critical interest in K-12 professional development, the team is now developing plans to work with K-12 teachers through a number of the fiber networks. Reaching beyond the university, the team has also assisted state governmental agencies that include: the Public Service Commission, the Quality Improvement Network, the Division of Workforce Development, the Department of Health and Family Services, the State Adoption Network and the Governmental Affairs Commission, to help them assess needs, become familiar with a spectrum of technology and media and experience and develop training and meeting strategies. Through an Alliance collaboration with AT and T, The Pennsylvania State University and Indiana University, ICS works in the development of workshops and training materials. The team has also become involved with national training and mentoring with clients that include: Webster University- MO; Pennsylvania Power and Light-PA; Bell Atlantic Learning Labs-MD, PA & WVA; Owens Corning-OH; The Federal Highway Administration-DC; the Chicago Consortium of Higher Education-IL; and Pershing Securities.

2) Team members have reached state, national and international audiences, as well, through presentations and papers at a wide spectrum of conferences, seminars and symposia.

3) In addition, they provide leadership and serve as liaisons between a wide variety of groups and the Chancellor's and Dean's offices.

4) A variety of resources have been developed that provide opportunities for information sharing statewide, nationally and internationally: the DESIEN electronic newsletter, the University of Wisconsin Distance Learning URL book, an ICS quarterly newsletter, a systemwide Distance Learning Catalog, InfoSource and the Distance Education Clearinghouse.

5) Highlighting the past several years has been the development of a variety of new technology training materials: "Successful Uses of Video Conferencing" - fact sheets describing various applications; four AT and T "Client Case Studies;" twelve Case Studies that include higher education academic experiences, K-12 experiences and experiences in government and the private sector; "Breaking New Ground: Faculty Perspectives," a videotape/print package about the experiences of five UW System faculty; and "The Essential Videoconferencing Guide: 7 Keys to Success." The Guide is a valuable component to systemwide faculty and team training sessions. Both "Breaking New Ground" and "The Essential Videoconferencing Guide" are being successfully marketed nationally and internationally. A new book "Videoconferencing - Designing the Environment * Designing the Experience" is in progress and will be published in spring of 2000.

6) To continue to grow in their work and prepare for ongoing changes in instructional technology, team members are continually involved in their own professional development programs. These have included training in the use of new technologies, new technology applications for education and training, leadership roles in distance education and distance education and cultural diversity.

The Pyle Center provides a unique teaching, learning and support facility enabling learners and instructors to keep pace with the rapidly changing face of education in the information age and offering tools and services for flexible education choices for the 21st Century.