Overview

A new brochure listing a variety of technology and e-learning 2005–06 enrollment figures, course offerings, usage statistics, state government streaming projects, and other service highlights (Adobe pdf) is now available. To view this document, you need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.

While the 2005–06 highlights brochure illustrates how IHETS services are used, it doesn't tell the entire story. Because IHETS is a consortium serving a number of members and affiliate partners, it is challenging to collect some statistics and data. A more comprehensive, in-depth system for tracking and measurement (which will also include cost comparisons of IHETS services with those provided by commercial vendors) is being developed.

E-learning enrollments and services

For the 2005–06 academic year, Indiana's e-learning enrollments included:

• 148,307 enrollments in college credit courses delivered via all technology options
• 137,125 enrollments in courses delivered via the Internet
• 1,826 enrollments in courses delivered via IHETS Television
• 2,901 enrollments in courses delivered via video conferencing
• 6,455 enrollments in courses delivered via on-demand media

IHETS supports the consortium's efforts and initiatives that deliver, increase, and enhance educational access for K-20 students and lifelong learners. Much of this support is provided through its Indiana College Network (ICN).

ICN is a gateway to e-learning opportunities at Indiana colleges, universities, and other educational affiliates. Created in 1994, it is one of the first and largest online consortia in the U.S.

Currently, ICN maintains an online course schedule/inventory of credit and non-credit higher education courses (as well as advanced placement and dual-credit courses for high school students) delivered via distance education technology in Indiana. Last semester, over 3,200 classes and 212 certificate and degree programs were catalogued in IHETS' searchable online database.

ICN's extensive Web site (www.icn.org) serves as an online clearinghouse for other educational opportunities related to distance education., including helpful information, tips, and techniques for student success. An online e-mail inquiry system (info@icn.org) and a toll-free hotline (1.800.ICN.8899) for learner support is also available.

Through ICN, participating institutions may also arrange for their students to take classes at other member institutions with the assurance of credit transfer and preserving financial aid eligibility.

2005–06 ICN statistics:

• 221 degree and certificate programs available via distance learning, including:
  • 60 certificate, endorsement, and licensure programs (credit and noncredit)
  • 41 associate degree programs
  • 53 bachelor's and degree-completion programs
  • 33 master's degree programs
  • 2 PhD programs
  • 31 continuing education programs
    
• 3,238 class offerings in fall 2006
  • 205 high school and advanced placement (AP) courses
  • 2,417 undergraduate courses
  • 181 graduate courses
  • 435 continuing education classes
• 64 learning centers in 56 counties

IHETS Television

For many years, IHETS Television (which featured one-way video and two-way audio conferencing) was used to deliver and access educational courses, programs, and content. Launched as a microwave system in 1969, it evolved into a satellite-based network in 1993. At its peak in 2001, the satellite network included eight digitally compressed video channels serving 425 receive sites in Indiana and across the country.

It is difficult to accurately estimate how many Hoosiers furthered their educations IHETS Television, but it is safe to say hundreds of thousands of students and adults of all ages and backgrounds participated in its televised programs. And thousands of these individuals used the technology to complete entire undergraduate and graduate degree programs in areas ranging from nursing to engineering to the MBA.

After nearly 40 years of continuous operation, however, IHETS Television retired June 30, 2006.

It was replaced with a new, more flexible and convenient system called IHETS Interactive. This Web-based conferencing system delivers courses and facilitates real-time collaboration for teaching, learning, research, community outreach, and educational administration.

IHETS Interactive

This fully managed Web conferencing service was launched July 1, 2006. It offers a robust suite of tools, including two-way video and audio, text chat, application sharing, electronic whiteboard, annotated PowerPoint presentations, and more. (Consortium members with IHETS Interactive Meeting accounts can also utilize IHETS Interactive Presenter, which incorporates streaming video, audio, animation, and other multimedia files and functions into PowerPoint files to create rich, dynamic presentations.)

Educational and/or administrative use, fall 2006:

• 22 Ball State University undergraduate and graduate credit courses (including architecture, education, entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, economics, statistics, international finance, management, and the MBA) are being accessed by more than 600 students from their homes, workplaces, and community learning centers.
• More than 130 Indiana State University students are taking 10 courses on political science, public school administration, education, research design and data analysis, and applied communications, among others.
• An MBA class on quality management is being offered by the Indiana Tech. Indiana Tech is also using the service for faculty training.
• The IHETS Virtual Brownbag Series (an hour-long professional development program targeting instructional technologists and faculty throughout the state for sharing information and ideas on using technology for teaching and learning) is using the service to join consortium members across the state.
• Other users include Indiana Wesleyan University, Indiana Cooperative Library Services Authority (INCOLSA), Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC), Private Academic Library Network of Indiana (PALNI), Tri-State University, and the University of Indianapolis.
  

IHETS video conferencing

Two-way IP video conferencing, a service launched in 2000, reached an all-time high in 2005. This key IHETS service can be delivered to and accessed at more than 250 sites across the state. IHETS certifies and registers members interested in becoming video conferencing receive site endpoints.

Educational and/or administrative usage in 2005:

• Total site hours: 41,833
• 93 percent of all usage was by higher education institutions
• 7 percent of all usage was by affiliated members, like K-20 schools, public libraries, and state government
• 466 public-access rooms
  • 179 college campuses and learning centers
  • 22 public libraries
  • 131 Cooperative Extension Service facilities
  • 134 high schools and educational centers
• 45 current nonpublic-access rooms
  • 22 correctional facilities
  • 23 state government offices

IHETS Webcasting

IHETS provides consortium members with cost-effective Web-based audio and video streaming services that increase educational access and community outreach, facilitate information sharing, and enhance teaching and learning. Webcasts of live, real-time events such as conferences, public addresses, classroom lectures, and satellite downlinks can be broadcast and viewed on PCs with Internet connections. IHETS also offers encoding services to archive content on our servers for on-demand retrieval.

E-learning and administrative use, 2005-06:

• MBA classes at Ball State University, for example, are offered via video streaming at over 60 locations throughout Indiana and surrounding states. The entire program—including foundation, core, and elective courses—may be completed through distance learning.

• IHETS provides live audio broadcasts via the Internet for Huntington University's campus radio station, WQHU (The Fuse, 105.5 FM). The station includes both an on-air studio and production newsroom facility with a multi-track digital audio workstation.

• Through IHETS' streaming service, citizens across the state are watching live and archived video of elected state officials—including the Indiana General Assembly and the Indiana Supreme Court—from the convenience of their home, school, and office computers.
  

State Universities Voice Network (SUVON)

SUVON is a private voice network that connects Indiana college and universities. It is intended for educational and business collaboration for faculty and staff members of participating institutions.

Educational and/or administrative use, 2005–06:

• 77 college campuses connected
• Six million calls
• Capable of reaching nearly 80 percent of Indiana calling areas