IVC Distance Education Site Policy

IVC Distance Education Site Policies

I. Site Utilization Policy
The purpose of this policy is to help assure that the Utah Education Network serves the education community with the most effective utilization and distribution of distance education services and resources in support of the educational process. With that intent, the IVC Site Selection Committee recommends the following Interim Utilization Policy.

To become an IVC site, a school must follow the established site selection process and demonstrate its need for video conferencing and programming, and its equipment to participate before equipment is installed. Newly installed schools will have the necessary time to establish the utilization patterns outlined during the site selection process.

II. Facilitator Policy
If an adult facilitator is not present for the "test phase" of an event, or if they are absent at any one point during an event, the origination site for a class or meeting will now shut down the interactive component of IVC and the site will lose its ability to communicate with the instructor. While students will still be able to see and hear the instructor, they will not be able to ask questions. This will limit the learning experience offered by this valuable resource and eliminate a vital part of the distance education experience.

III. Equipment Use Policy
Any equipment purchased through the auspices of the Utah Education Network or any equipment that is supported technically by UEN Technical Services is covered by this policy. This might include, but is not limited to, cameras, monitors, videotape recorders/players, fax machines, telephones, computers and computer peripherals used for IVC scheduling and/or switching plus all microphones and cabling required for connecting this equipment.

The primary use of equipment purchased as part of a basic or complex IVC package is to support IVC events. Secondary use is defined as occasions when equipment is to be used to support other instructional activity in the room defined as the IVC site. This type of use is acceptable so long as that use does not entail moving or re-configuring the equipment.

IV. Software and Hardware Upgrade Policy
Prior to any hardware addition (adding a mixer, laserdisc player, ETC.) or software addition (IE. loading a CD-ROM onto the multi-media machine) to the IVC equipment, the site must receive prior approval from UEN Field Operations Manager following an on-site evaluation coordinated by the designated Distance Education Specialist.