Oregon Distance Education
|
Descriptions of Oregon Delivery Systems Library Developments Descriptions of Oregon Delivery Systems Instructors and students in Oregon have numerous delivery systems and services available to develop and access distance education courses. The development of on-line courses is generally support by the school or campus that employs the instructor. Campuses and schools use a wide range on-line courseware including BlackBoard, WebCT, eCollege and EMBANET. For many universities and schools in Oregon, access to the Internet and a broadband intrastate computing network is provided by OWEN, a collaborations among three state computer networks. In addition to online courses, distance education courses are also delivered using a variety of video networks. K-12 operates an Internet Protocol (IP) video conferencing network that connects high schools, ESDs, community colleges and universities throughout Oregon. Community colleges also deliver telecourses over regional cable access channels and ITFS (Instructional Television Fixed Service) channels. OUS campuses use an internal IP video network, a microwave network, ITFS, and videotapes to deliver educational opportunities. All three sectors are experimenting with various video streaming and archiving distance education applications. OWEN (The Oregon WidE area Network) OWEN is a collaboration among three state computer networks to realize cost savings by sharing bandwidth and access to Internet providers. The three networks include the OUS NERO network, the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) network, and OPEN, the state's K-12 network. NERO acts as the network service provider for OWEN. OWEN provides broadband intrastate services among participants and redundant broadband access to commercial Internet providers. The network provides online access to courses, research materials and other educational services. OWEN's K-20 collaboration played a key role in Oregon becoming one of the early participants in the national Internet2 K-20 Initiative. The goal of the Internet2 K-20 Initiative is to bring advanced networks and services directly to innovators across all education sectors. Internet2 Oregon Access Network (OAN) OUS Videoconferencing Services OUS operates a videoconferencing system for administrative and distance education use. In 2001 OUS upgraded the Lucent Multipoint Conferencing Unit (MCU) to handle both ISDN-based (H.320) and IP-based (H.323) videoconferencing units. The OUS hub connects OUS institutions and regional education centers with community college and K-12 sites within Oregon and with a wide variety of videoconferencing units worldwide. Oregon WIN (Oregon Wireless Instructional Network) The Oregon WIN network provides broadcast quality video and audio to a growing number of sites in the Willamette Valley. Programming for the Oregon WIN network originates from the studios of the 10 member institutions. Programs and services include certificate programs, credit course and degree programs, cultural events, and direct access to national and international commercial television networks. Oregon WIN also partners with the Oregon Legislative Media Services and the Oregon Public Affairs Network (OPAN) to provide coverage of the Oregon Legislature and other public affairs programs to schools and public access cable television channels in 300,000 homes in Oregon. Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) Oregon Department of Administrative Services Several departments within DAS IRMD provide distance education resources and services to state agencies and to the general public. Enterprise Network Services (ENS) provides videoconferencing, network connections and webpage development services to state agencies. Oregon VOS provides an array of online services including Internet access, mail hosting, online conferencing services and WebCT online learning services. VOS operates Oregon's only state-wide public online network and Internet gateway. The network provides access to online information and training resources and the Internet. VOS has established local dial-up connections in 36 cities. As a result, people in more than 225 Oregon towns can easily and affordably find information they need. Library Developments Statewide Distance Education Databases/Links
Links to Campus Distance Education Pages Public Universities
Community Colleges
Other Oregon Online Resources
|