2002-2003
Annual Report Annual Report 2002 – 2003
Highlights of the 2002 –2003 academic year:
• Completion of the METNET Gigabit Project • Increase in the number of ITV courses • Increase in the number of courses being offered online • Increase in student email accounts
METNET has worked closely with the MnSCU system office and the University of Minnesota in updating the metro area network design to maximize the benefit of investment dollars. METNET negotiated with carriers to provide increased network bandwidth connecting all metro campuses with a high capacity Gigabit network (GB = 1000mbps) and access to Internet2. (Please refer to Appendix 1)
The Metropolitan Educational Telecommunications Network (METNET) is a distance-learning consortium consisting of 10 Twin Cities metro area community and technical colleges, Metropolitan State University and the University of Minnesota. It is one of six higher education regional networks, known collectively as the Learning Network of Minnesota, established by 1993 State enabling legislation. METNET serves its member institutions with a range of educational technologies to enhance the delivery of programs and services between members and with other post- secondary institutions in the state. The University of Minnesota serves as METNET ‘s fiscal agent.
METNET Administration, Organization and Funding
FY 2003 funding consisted of two grants from the Higher Education Services Office (HESO), a network operational grant of $581,250 and a regional coordination grant of $110,000, in addition to a one time supplemental grant of $78,833 for network infrastructure improvements for a total of $770,083. This reflected an 11% reduction in funding from the previous fiscal year.
As a regional network, METNET has developed relationships with the five other regional higher education networks in Minnesota. On-going discussions include the development of policies and procedures to increase inter-regional cooperation and collaboration. METNET continues to work with the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, the University of Minnesota, the Higher Education Services Office and the State Department of Administration in developing a comprehensive and integrated statewide network. METNET also has worked with the private colleges in the Metro area to explore areas of common technology services. During the 2002-2003 year METNET completed the conversion of the video network to the Internet protocol video standard H.323. A 24 port Accord multi-point control unit was also installed at the network hub at the University of Minnesota. The ease of use of IP video and the ability for users to initiate video calls has increased the video network’s utilization. Hennepin Technical College, for example, uses this feature for weekly inter-campus meetings between their Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park sites.
Course and administrative uses of interactive video have become more diverse in the past year. A number of events are inter-state and international in nature. For example, NCED, the National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics at the University of Minnesota hosts weekly seminars and meetings for its 12 participating member sites, around the country, and applies features as continuous presence, video streaming and video archiving. Anoka-Ramsey Community College also continues its periodic connections to Germany.
The dramatic increase in the number of courses offered over the interactive video network reflects the complete integration of video network services in the state, including the University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota represents the largest single user of the video network with a total of 149 courses during the last academic year. Many of these courses are part of joint programs between the University and MnSCU institutions. (Please refer to Appendices 2-4 for 2002-2003 academic year course schedules.)
METNET introduced video streaming services this past year. Colleges using the service include Anoka Technical College and Inver Hills Community College. Inver Hills is using video streaming as part of course delivery in their Emergency Health Services program. This service is integrated into the web medic classes. The video signal is encoded and is made available as a live video stream that students can access over the Internet. The program is also archived and can then be made available on demand. The University of Minnesota’s NCED also uses the service to stream and archive its weekly seminars.
METNET ITV Course Comparison 1995/96 - 2002/03
250
205 200
Number of Courses Offered 150
Summer 100 93 93 Fall 84 82 84 73 Winter 57 Spring 50 50 44 Total Courses Offered 35 35 34 34 36 2928 26 28 21 19 19 16 1714 14 13 13 13 10 5 6 6 1 3 0 1995- 1996- 1997- 1998- 1999- 2000- 2001- 2002- 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 (127 Total (293 Total (165 Total (197 Total (201 Total (228 Total (236 Total (599 Total Credits) Credits) Credits) Credits) Credits) Credits) Credits) Credits) Summer 1 6 6 3 13 10 14 19 Fall 5 29 17 19 26 28 34 93 Winter 13 28 14 ** Spring 16 21 13 35 34 44 36 93 Total Courses Offered 35 84 50 57 73 82 84 205
Academic Year ** (Total Credits per Academic Year) Due to Semester Conversion, Winter and Spring quarters are combined. During the 2002-2003 year METNET has continued to support WebCT, a web based software program that facilitates the creation of World Wide Web based educational environments. A combination of METNET and University of Minnesota resources provide technical support for WebCT.
Course account numbers continue to increase. Last year over 1500 courses were hosted on WebCT, with over 25,000 students participating. METNET has supported WebCT since the winter of 1998. The last two years reflects a leveling in the growth of online courses, however this is more an indication of accurately tracking course activity.
The 2003-2004 WebCT license renewal was negotiated with MnSCU. With the combined purchasing power, we were able to lower costs by approximately 10%. The current license extends through August 31, 2004. MnSCU will be moving to a single Instructional Management System in the upcoming year and METNET will work to ensure an orderly transition. METNET WebCT Account Summary 1998/2003
1800
1599 1600
1400 1344
reated 1200
1000 879 822 ccounts C 800 720 689 648 655 600 ber of A 504 469 um
N 400 318
179 200 146 97 49 0 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 Active Course Accounts 49 179 318 689 879 Other (Development, Training, Archived 97 469 504 655 720 etc.) Accts. Total Accounts 146 648 822 1344 1599
Academic Year METNET provides access to its annual reports, newsletters and presentations in an electronic format. Links to learning and library resources are also accessible.
Techmart is an online discount educational computer purchasing service for students and staff provided by the University of Minnesota. To access Techmart, an authenticated login id generated by the METNET email system must be used to verify the educational discount. METNET is the only Minnesota higher education regional consortium to provide a student/staff e-mail service. Student, staff and faculty e-mail is currently available at all member institutions. There are approximately 9500 current users, many of whom are using e-mail as an integral part of program course work. Free e-mail accounts for life are now available to all eligible students, faculty and staff.
During the 2002-2003 year, METNET worked with Normandale Community College and Dakota County Technical College to establish e-mail as the official communication medium for institution to student communication (service to start for fall semester 2003). To facilitate this service, METNET worked with the MnSCU system office to develop a student registration data exchange to create e-mail accounts automatically and instantly using an XML script. During this process, METNET also increased the administrative capabilities for the institutions to manage e- mail, including tracking student accounts and the ability to do mass mailings electronically. APPENDIX 1 Anoka-Ramsey CC Cambridge
Anoka
Anoka-Hennepin TC
Anoka-Ramsey CC MET NET Coon Rapids
Gigabit Network AT&T Qwest Other North Hennepin CC
Hennepin TC Brooklyn Park Ramsey
Century College Hennepin Metro State Washington Minneapolis Metro State Hennepin TC C & T C Midway Plymouth Metro State U of M St.Paul InterTech
St Paul College
Hennepin TC Eden Prairie
Normandale CC Carver Inver Hills CC
Dakota Scott Dakota County TC APPENDIX 2
METNET ITV Course Schedule
SUMMER 2002
SUMMARY: Intra-regional: courses (credits) Inter-regional: 8 courses (24credits)
Course Total: 8 courses Credit Total: 24 credits
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids and Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie from St. Cloud State University
IM 628: Administration of Media (3 credits) Monday-Thursday, 12:30 - 2:25 pm (06/10/02 through 07/11/02)
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids and Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park from St. Cloud State University
IM 620: Info Tech Program (2 credits) Monday-Thursday, 3:00 - 4:25 pm (06/10/02 through 07/11/02)
IM 608: Library Research (3 credits) Monday-Thursday, 7:30 - 9:25 am (06/10/02 through 07/11/02)
Dakota County Technical College, Owatonna High School, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College from Minnesota State University-Mankato
C & I 666: Interdisciplinary Curriculum (3 credits) Monday-Friday, 8:00 - 5:30 pm (06/10/02 through 06/14/02)
C & I 611: The Middle School (3 credits) Monday-Friday, 8:00 - 5:30 pm (06/17/02 through 06/21/02)
METNET ITV Course Schedule Summer 2002 Page 1 Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie from Minnesota State University-Mankato
SOC 485/585: Parenting Without Controlling (4 credits) Monday/Wednesday, 6:00 - 9:45 pm (06/24/02 through 07/26/02)
Saint Paul College to Alexandria Technical College
CHDV 2820: Child Development Financial Management (4 credits) Wednesday/Thursday, 9:00 - 3:00 pm (05/29/02, 06/13/02 and 06/27/02)
Saint Paul College from Minnesota State University-Mankato
LME 628: Distance Learning (2 credits) Tuesday/Thursday, 4:00 - 7:50 pm (06/04/02 through 06/25/02)
METNET ITV Course Schedule Summer 2002 Page 2 APPENDIX 3
METNET ITV Course Schedule
FALL 2002
SUMMARY: Intra-regional: courses: courses (credits) Inter-regional: 19 courses (49 credits)
Course Total: 19 courses Credit Total: 49 credits
Anoka Technical College, Saint Paul Technical College and Bemidji State University from St. Cloud State University
GEOG 335: Land Surveying (3 credits) Tuesday, 5:00 - 7:45 p.m. (09/10/02 through 12/17/02)
Anoka Technical College from Rochester Community and Technical College
BTEC 2810: Quality Analysis & Statistics (3 credits) Thursday, 6:00 - 8:35 p.m. (08/29/02 through 12/19/02)
Anoka Technical College, Ridgewater Community and Technical College-Hutchinson and Ridgewater Community and Technical College- Willmar from St. Cloud State University
ACCT 2226: Intermediate Accounting (4 credits) Monday-Thursday, 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. (08/19/02 through 12/19/02) Accounting Lab (0 credits) Friday, 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (09/06/02 through 12/20/02)
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids and Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie from St. Cloud State University
IM 624: Organization of Information Resources (3 credits) Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:55 p.m. (09/04/02 through 12/11/02) Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids, Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie and Bemidji State University from St. Cloud State University
IM 620: School Information Technologies (2 credits) Tuesday, 7:00 - 8:50 p.m. (09/10/02 through 12/17/02)
Dakota County Technical College from Minnesota State University - Mankato
KSP 628: Distance Learning (2 credits) Wednesday, 4:30 - 6:15 p.m. (08/28/02 through 12/11/02)
Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park from St. Cloud State University
ENGL 461/561: Teaching ESL: Theory and Methods (3 credits) Thursday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. (09/05/02 through 12/19/02)
ENGL 666: Seminar in Sociolinguistics (3 credits) Tuesday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. (09/10/02 through 12/17/02)
Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park, Alexandria High School and Sauk Center High School from St. Cloud State University
MATH 631: Teaching Mathematics in the Junior High School (3 credits) Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:55 p.m. (09/04/02 through 12/04/02)
Metropolitan State University from Bemidji State University
Human Resource Development (2 credits) Saturday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (10/12/02)
Saint Paul Technical College from Minnesota State University - Mankato
REHB 619: Rehabilitation Counseling (3 credits) Monday, 9:00 - 11:50 a.m. (09/09/02 through 12/09/02)
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Morris, Crookston, Northwest Technical College-Detroit Lakes, Winona State University, Bemidji State University, Southwest State University-Marshall, Worthington Community College from University of Minnesota-Duluth
EHS 5990: Research Project (2 credits) Friday, 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. (11/01/02, 12/06/02, 03/07/03, 04/04/03 and 05/02/03) University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to University of Minnesota-Crookston, Ridgewater Community College-Willmar, South Central Community College-Mankato, and Central Lakes Community College-Brainerd
AFEE 1001: Intro to Agricultural Education & Extension (1 credit) Wednesday, 1:55 - 2:45 p.m. (09/04/02 through 12/11/02)
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities to University of Minnesota Crookston, University Center Rochester and Southwest State University- Marshall
Rhetoric 1001: Intro to Scientific Technical Communications (2 credits) Tuesday/Thursday; 8:45 - 10:00 a.m. (09/03/02 through 12/12/02)
Rhetoric 3221: Theories of Human Communication (4 credits) Tuesday/Thursday, 3:00 – 4:15 p.m. (09/03/02 through 12/12/02)
Rhetoric 3257: Scientific & Technical Presentations (3 credits) Tuesdays/Thursdays, 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. (09/03/02 through 12/12/02)
Rhetoric 3266: Group Process, Team Building Leadership (3 credits) Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 3:00 - 3:50 p.m. (09/04/02 through 12/13/02)
Rhetoric 3671: Project Design Development (3 credits) Monday, 4:05 - 6:35 p.m. (09/09/02 through 12/09/02) APPENDIX 4
METNET ITV Course Schedule
SPRING 2003
SUMMARY: Intra-regional: courses: 2 courses (6 credits) Inter-regional: 27 courses (80 credits)
Course Total: 29 courses Credit Total: 86 credits
Anoka Technical College from St. Cloud Technical College
ACCT 2231: Income Tax II (2 credits) Monday-Thursday, 8:00 – 8:50 a.m. (01/06/03 through 03/07/03)
ACCT: 2227: Intermediate Accounting II (4 credits) Monday-Friday, 9:00 – 9:50 a.m. (01/06/03 through 05/13/03)
ACCT 1217: Cost Accounting I (4 credits) Monday-Friday, 10:00 – 10:50 a.m. (01/06/03 through 05/13/03)
ACCT 2232: Auditing (4 credits) Monday-Thursday, 11:00 – 11:50 a.m. (01/06/03 through 05/14/03)
Anoka Technical College, Saint Paul College and Bemidji State University from St. Cloud State University
GEOG 435: Boundary Law (3 credits) Wednesday, 6:00 - 8:45 p.m. (01/15/03 through 05/07/03)
Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids, Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie, and Northwest Technical College-Thief River Falls from St. Cloud State University
IM 628: Administration of Media (3 credits) Monday, 6:00 - 8:45 p.m. (01/13/03 through 05/05/03)
IM 612: Technologies in Libraries/Media Centers (3 credits) Tuesday, 5:00 - 7:45 p.m. (01/14/03 through 05/06/03)
IM 623: Reading, Listening and Viewing Guidance (2 credits) Thursday, 7:00 - 8:45 p.m. (01/16/03 through 05/08/03) Anoka-Ramsey Community College-Coon Rapids and Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie from St. Cloud State University
IM 622: Media Selection & Evaluation for Children (3 credits) Thursday, 5:00 - 6:45 p.m. (06/16/03 through 05/08/03)
Dakota County Technical College and Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park from St. Cloud State University
ENGL 607: Research in English: Empirical Designs (3 credits) Thursday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. (01/16/03 through 05/08/03)
Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park and Southwest State University from St. Cloud State University
ENGL 463/563: ESL and Culture (3 credits) Tuesday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. (01/14/03 through 05/05/03)
Dakota County Technical College, Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park and Crookston High School from St. Cloud State University
ENGL 462/562: TESL Methods: Reading and Writing (3 credits) Monday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. (01/13/03 through 05/05/03)
Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park from St. Cloud State University
MATH 635: Teaching Algebra in the Secondary School (3 credits) Wednesday, 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. (01/15/03 through 05/07/03)
Hennepin Technical College-Brooklyn Park to Hennepin Technical College-Eden Prairie
MCDT 2011: Special Fields of Drafting (3 credits) Monday, 11:00 - 3:00 p.m. (01/13/03 through 05/19/03)
MCDT 1201: Industrial CAD Project (3 credits) Friday, 10:00 - 2:00 p.m. (01/17/03 through 05/16/03)
Metropolitan State University-St. Paul from Bemidji State University
IT 4877-02: Industrial Maintenance & Safety (3 credits) Friday, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. (01/31/03) Saint Paul College from Bemidji State University
GEOG 438: Geodesy (3 credits) Tuesday, 5:30 - 8:15 p.m. (01/14/03 through 05/06/03)
Saint Paul College from Minnesota State University-Mankato
REHB 625: Research and Issues in Rehabilitation-Sections 40 & 41 (3 credits) Wednesday, 1:00 - 3:50 p.m. (01/15/03 through 05/07/03)
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities to University of Minnesota - Crookston, Ridgewater Community College - Willmar, South Central Technical College, and Central Lakes College - Brainerd
AFEE 1002: Principles of Career Planning for Agricultural Professionals (1 credit) Thursdays, 12:50 - 1:40 p.m. (01/23/03 through 05/08/03)
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities to University of Minnesota - Crookston, University Center Rochester and Southwest State University - Marshall
Rhetoric 1001: Intro to the Major of Scientific Technical Communication (2 credits) Monday, 2:45 - 5:15 pm (01/27/03 through 05/05/03)
Rhetoric 3672: Principles & Applications I (3 credits) Thursday, 4:30 - 7:00 pm (01/23/02 through 05/08/02)
Rhetoric 3701w: Rhetorical Theory and STC (4 credits) Monday/Wednesday, 9:35 - 11:05 a.m. (01/22/03 through 05/05/03)
Rhetoric 4573: Writing Managing Project Proposals (3 credits) Monday/Wednesday, 12:50 - 2:20 pm (01/22/03 through 05/07/03)
Rhetoric 4561: Editing Style for Technical Communicators (3 credits) Wednesday, 5:30 - 8:00 pm (01/22/03 through 05/07/03)
Rhetoric 4662w: Emerging Technologies in STC (4 credits) Tuesday, 4:30 - 7:00 pm (01/21/03 through 05/06/03)
Rhetoric 5511: Research in STC (3 credits) Tuesday/Thursday, 3:00 - 4:15 pm (01/21/03 through 05/08/03)
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Hibbing Community College, Minnesota State University-Pipestone, and University Center Rochester from University of Minnesota - Duluth
EHS 7008: Foundations of Teaching & Learning Curriculum & Design (3 credits) Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 pm/4:00 - 6:00 pm (02/25/03, 03/25/03 and 04/29/03) University of Minnesota – Twin Cities to University of Minnesota – Crookston, Central Lakes Community College – Brainerd, South Central Technical College-Mankato and Ridgewater Community College-Willmar
AFEE 2096: Professional Practicum in Agricultural Education (1 credit) Tuesday, 10:10 – 11:00 a.m. (01/29/03, 02/19/03 & 04/16/03)
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Bemidji State University, Winona State University, University of Minnesota-Morris, University of Minnesota-Crookston, Southwest State University-Marshall, Northwest Technical College-Detroit Lakes, University of Minnesota-Morris and Minnesota West Community and Technical College-Worthington from University of Minnesota-Duluth
EHS 5990: Research Project (4 credits) Friday, 12:30 - 4:00 pm (11/01/02, 12/06/02, 03/07/03, 04/04/03 and 05/02/03)