ITN sessions, which feature nationally known experts from around the country, have been downlinked to 47 states, Canada, Samoa, and Guam. The Network is a program of the School of Professional Studies of UGA's College of Education and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and contributors. The teleconferences are produced by the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.
"ITN continues to be successful because the programs offer solid professional development opportunities that cater to the needs of educators and families. Our topics address current issues in education. Through advanced, accessible technology, ITN can bring experts to sites across the country live via satellite at a very reasonable cost," said Laura L. Clark, ITN professional development marketing coordinator.
"ITN is customer-oriented. We thoroughly enjoy serving our hundreds of downlink sites and facilitators. We're proud of the positive responses, concerning not only the quality of our programs, but the quality of our customer service, as well. I think that's what sets ITN apart from other professional development providers," Clark said.
In addition to Clark, ITN's staff includes Phillip J. McLaughlin, ITN project director and associate professor in the School of Professional Studies; Kimberly M. Wood, ITN educational program specialist;and Harriet W. Elder, ITN professional development marketing coordinator. Teleconference production at the Georgia Center is coordinated by George B. Rodrigues, who will serve as the producer-director for the seventh season.
National Format, Local Impact
With the downlinked presentations and "wraparound" sessions, which are coordinated by local sites, ITN offers participants opportunities to interact with, and learn from, their colleagues from the local community as well as nationally recognized speakers. Each satellite telecast includes a live question-and-answer segment, with live questions from participants around the country via a toll-free 800 number. Participants may also fax or e-mail questions prior to the telecast. A site has the right to make a videotape of each telecast; the tape can serve as a professional development resource for the organization.
Participating downlink sites over the years have included public schools, cooperative education agencies, technical or trade schools, community colleges, universities, libraries, and hospitals. The programs are designed to address topics of interest and necessity, for general and special education teachers, school psychologists and counselors, vocational education teachers, paraprofessionals, social workers, foster parents, juvenile probation officers, alternative school personnel, and parents and family members.
Presenting and discussing current issues is a priority for ITN. "Through advance scheduling of programs on topics that are in the budding stages nationally, ITN continues to be on the leading edge, on many topics. The quality of the programs is exceptional," said Harriet W. Elder, ITN professional development marketing coordinator.
Also, ITN sessions carry credit. Academic credit is available through a cooperative agreement with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Continuing education units (CEUs) are available through The University of Georgia. Additional credit options can be developed by ITN staff for local sponsors -- such as local academic or staff development credits.
The Seventh Season
The eight programs for 1998-1999 focus on two general topic areas -- "Crises and Challenges" and "Literacy and Language" -- with more programs per topic area than past seasons.
"For the upcoming series, the expanded topics will include four programs each, as compared to one or two per topic in previous years. Each series has numerous goals and objectives -- identifying ways to respond to a crisis, changing negative mindsets, overcoming communication barriers, preventing misbehaviors, phonemic awareness, connecting literacy, precision teaching, and strategies for diversifying instruction," said Kimberly M. Wood, ITN educational program specialist.
"ITN programmers believe the topic 'Crises and Challenges' is a particularly timely topic, with the recent violence in Arkansas, Kentucky, and other areas. In fact, Scott Poland and Kate Stetzner, who will be featured speakers for the first 'Crises and Challenges' program in November, have worked directly with the schools involved in Arkansas and Kentucky. Poland was interviewed on the 'Today' show from Arkansas. Most recently, he and Stetzner met with President Clinton and a select group of persons to discuss this national problem," Wood said.
"The 'Language and Literacy' series also addresses a critical issue -- the problems in schools such as reading disabilities and poor literacy skills. There is the issue of English as a second language, as well. ITN hopes to offer insights and strategies for teachers and school districts needing information," Wood said.
Through ITN programs, the nationally recognized experts can be seen more cost effectively at the local sites, than if a school district brought the experts to the area.
Sessions
"Crises and Challenges"
"When ITN began in teleconferencing six years ago, satellite-based professional development offerings for educators were not commonplace. Now, as schools increase their ability to access this technology, we must meet the challenges increased competition brings,' said Clark.
"We will continue to expand our use of satellite technology while exploring new delivery techniques and interaction opportunities. We will continue to produce the highest quality programs and curriculum materials for convenient professional development. We will continue to share practical strategies for managing current, critical educational issues. Continuing education is of vital importance, and ITN is proud to be a successful contributor to the development of so many educators, administrators, and families,' she said.
For more information about ITN or about how to become a receive site for the programs, contact Laura L. Clark or Harriet W. Elder, professional development marketing coordinators, Interactive Teaching Network, 577 Aderhold Hall, College of Education, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602, 706-542-4770, 800-296-4770, fax: 706-542-5877, or visit their Web site.
[Some information for this article was gathered from the article "The Interactive Teaching Network (ITN): A Distance Education Success Story," by Lisa M. Ehrhart, Phillip J. McLaughlin, Lori R. Mauldin, William N. Bender of the College of Education, The University of Georgia, which appeared in the "DISTANCEducation" column of the Fall 1995 Georgia Center Quarterly.]
Now available!
Videotapes of the 1997-1998 ITN season.
The sessions:
Web administrator: webmaster@gactr.uga.edu All contents copyright © 1998 University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education. All rights reserved. Last revised: August 4, 1998 URL: http://www.gactr.uga.edu/GCQ/gcqspr98/itn.html