NEBRASKA EDUCATIONAL SERVICE UNIT (ESU) #1

Newcastle, Coleridge, Laurel-Concord and Wynot High Schools- State of Nebraska

Background
Educational Service Unit (ESU) #1 was looking to for a way to connect students with experts, maximize their teaching resources and create a pace of learning that would prepare students for post-secondary education. They wanted to break the paradigm that distance learning was a “less-than” environment- and show that it can be a better education system.

Solution
ESU#1 enlisted Dascom Systems Group for the integration of an advanced distance learning system to four high schools within ESU #1- Newcastle, Coleridge, Laurel-Concord and Wynot High Schools. The integrated system includes a total of four distance learning classrooms and 28 mobile IP conferencing carts, with each of the four schools boasting one full 1×3 ITV classroom and several mobile IP conferencing carts respectively. With the new technology, the four school consortia are now holding 75 distance learning classes a day to 1,200 students in nine school districts.

Testimonial
According to Dr. Dan Hoesing, EdD, Superintendent of Newcastle, Coleridge, Laurel-Concord and Wynot High Schools in ESU #1 during 2008-2009, the timing for implementing technology was right as there were opportunities for both students and teachers to benefit. “Students today are connecting more through technology than in person- whether that technology is video, texting or emailing, kids are learning differently so our instruction needed to match that,” Hoesing said. “In addition, we needed less duplication of classes for teachers, less expense for connecting with experts and less classes being cancelled because they didn’t fill up. The new technology gave us those things.”

Results
According to Hoesing, the system feedback has included good student surveys and good teacher feedback. Student performance has improved with the new systems. “When kids participate at a higher level with technology, they will naturally score higher,” he said. The four school consortia in ESU #1 plan to integrate more technology in the coming year, with a goal of 95 classes in session by this time next year.