Idaho Education Network FAQs

1.) Who can use the IEN?

The Idaho Education Network was developed to connect communities and schools across Idaho and to increase the instructional opportunities within every community. By increasing bandwidth to each school and installing new Video Teleconferencing equipment, the IEN will bridge the gap between rural and urban schools so every Idaho student has equal access to the curriculum and learning opportunities. The IEN will be available to every Idaho public school and the surrounding community. The school and community will then decide how to best utilize the IEN.

2.) What can parents expect from the IEN?

The IEN was designed to break down geographic and economic barriers between rural and urban communities. Through IEN, every public school in every community will be connected to all Idaho colleges and universities as well as the other K-12 public schools in the state. Parents can expect their children to receive the same educational opportunities as other students across Idaho, such as the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. IEN will eliminate the digital divide in rural Idaho. Additionally, younger students will benefit from the access to virtual field trips, virtual tours, and other courses and curriculum offered via IEN.

3.) What can teachers expect from the IEN?

The IEN will help Idaho teachers improve their lesson plans for students across all subject areas. Through IEN, teachers will be able to take their students on virtual tours or field trips to supplement the material they are teaching. They can also connect with other teachers across the state to find new, innovative approaches to certain content standards or lesson plans.

Additionally, teachers can expect greater access to professional development. They will be able to take course via IEN to gain more professional development, earn continuing education credits or study for an advanced degree.

4.) What is a Virtual Tour?

A Virtual Tour is a virtual trip to a museum, auditorium, aquarium, botanical garden, a Statehouse, or a foreign country. On that trip, students will be guided by a professional instructor who will teach students about that specific location and relate it to what students are learning in the classroom. The instructors and guides will be well-versed in a variety of subject matters that meet the Idaho content standards at each grade level. These Virtual Tours will be visits to locations around the country and throughout the world that students would rarely have the opportunity to see in person. It is a cost effective way for teachers and administrators to educate and inspire students by showing them the relevance of the lessons they are learning.

5.) What can students expect from the IEN?

Students can expect greater opportunities. Students will be able to achieve more and experience more enriching educational opportunities. Students can earn college credits while still in high school or take an elective their school does not currently offer. They will utilize the latest technologies, such as Video Teleconferencing, to interact with students and teachers from across the state and nation.

6.) Is this the same statewide initiative that was attempted tried 10 years ago? How is this different?

No, it is not. The state has attempted to bring more advanced technology to Idaho schools in the past. However, these projects met unforeseen limitations due to connectivity issues. The main priority of the Idaho Education Network is to build connectivity first so we as a state can overcome any geographical barriers. Many states across the nation, including Utah and Wyoming, have already built similar networks that utilize distance learning, video teleconferencing, and online curricula. In addition, the technology that is a part of the IEN has come much further, much faster and is much less expensive today than it was in the past. Idaho will be using the cutting-edge technology to improve education for all students.

7.) Who should be aware of this in our community?

Everyone in your local community should be involved in the development of the IEN. While students are the primary beneficiaries of the project, IEN will also greatly benefit teachers, administrators, school board trustees, and members of the local community. Through a school-community partnership, the IEN can help deliver coursework or professional development to the community as a whole. Emergency personnel, like firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and police officers, could use the IEN when school is out to improve training or earn certifications. City and county government officials could reduce travel costs by utilizing a video teleconferencing system connected to every community in the state.

8.) What role do local school boards play in developing the IEN?

School Boards need to understand the scope and reach of the opportunities IEN will provide. The IEN will allow local schools and communities to enhance their current educational offerings. Specifically, local school boards can create goals for the first three years of implementation of the IEN in their community. For example, they can identify new ways that elementary teachers can use it for their students. They can begin setting goals for students to earn college credits while still in high school. They can plan ways to train and prepare teachers to use the systems by developing an in-service opportunities focused on technology. In addition, local school board could develop Virtual Tour scholarships for teachers who excel in certain subjects or tests.