Distance Education

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OUS Distance Education Networks

Video and On-line Services (Formerly ED-NET) http://www.oregonvos.net/

Oregon ED-NET was established as a state agency in 1989 to develop and operate a three-network educational telecommunication system throughout the state. In 1997, ED-NET became part of the Oregon Department of Administrative Services and was renamed Video and On-Line Services (VOS). OUS is a major user of VOS, accounting for 80% of programming on Network II during the last two years. The three networks include:

Network I: Network I is a digitized, broadcast quality, satellite network. VOS operates a 64-port telephone bridge which offers two-way audio connections during live one-way video programs. All high schools, community colleges, and OUS campuses are able to receive Network I broadcasts. Full-motion productions can be uplinked from VOS studios in Portland, and from OSU, UO, PSU, EOU and OHSU. The network carries educational courses, training seminars, meetings, and information sessions.

Network II: Network II is a compressed, satellite-based, video conferencing network which offers two-way video and audio connections to 39 learning centers throughout the state. Interactive sites include all OUS campuses and community colleges. OUS campuses offer more than 100 courses per year over Network II plus numerous seminars and meetings.

Oregon COMPASS: COMPASS is a statewide computer conferencing network that offers local dial-up access in 27 communities in Oregon. The network offers computer conferencing applications for educational and administrative purposes, and a community access software package which connects users to many state and local services as well as an Internet gateway.

OWEN (The Oregon Wide-area Educational Network) http://www.nero.net/

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. OWEN provides on-line access to courses, research materials, and other educational services. OWEN and VOS are also testing a number of Internet Protocol (IP) video technologies. The tests will evaluate cost, management issues, and network requirements for implementing audio and video conferencing over IP networks.

ISDN Videoconferencing (PictureTel/Lucent/Polycom)

OUS operates a PictureTel, ISDN-based videoconferencing system for administrative and distance education use. In 1998 OUS upgraded the system to a new Lucent MCU. The Lucent bridge works with existing PictureTel codecs and with new Polycom videoconferencing units being purchased by OUS. The Lucent MCU is a standard-based bridge and allows OUS institutions to connect with a wide variety of videoconferencing units worldwide.

Oregon WIN (Oregon Wireless Instructional Network) http://www.ous.edu/dist-learn/win/

Oregon WIN is a consortium of OUS institutions, community colleges, and K-12 schools that has entered into a public/private agreement to create a multi-channel ITFS network in the Willamette Valley. The consortium operates under an Intergovernmental Agreement and is governed by a seven-member board.

The consortium holds the licenses for 36 ITFS (Instructional Television Fixed Service) channels in Salem and Eugene. OUS also holds the licenses for 8 channels in Medford and is working closely with license holders in Portland and Bend. Oregon WIN signed an excess capacity lease agreement with American Telecasting, Inc. (ATI) which requires ATI to bear the cost of constructing and maintaining the network. The network operates 5 video channels in Eugene and 4 channels in Salem. A network of point-to-point microwave paths connect participating campuses to the ITFS transmit sites. The combination of microwave paths and ITFS transmitters offer last mile connectivity to homes, businesses, schools, and government offices from Portland to Eugene, covering 65% of Oregon's population.

Source: Oregon University System Distance Learning Programs.

OUS Distance Learning Enrollments

OUS Distance Learning Degree Programs

Source: Oregon University System Distance Learning Programs.

Revised: February 1999
Contact/Comments: IR@sch.ous.edu

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