A Little History
Approximately 7 years ago Verizon supported the creation of an interactive video-conferencing network for Vermont's high schools. The resulting ATM-based network connected all VT high schools, the Department of Education (DOE), Vermont Legislature, the University of Vermont and the Vermont Institutes (VI). The Vermont Institutes managed the network, called the Interactive Learning Network (ILN), for the duration of the project.
Verizon provided a dedicated T1 line to each site, the head-end hardware consisting of a video bridge and other required hardware, OC3 capacity, and funds for personnel to create and support the system. At the time Verizon required the T1 lines to be dedicated solely to the ILN network (an ATM network), so those lines could not serve the dual role of also supporting Internet access. The five-year support from Verizon ended in late spring 2005.
Vermont schools used the network to deliver coursework, engage in virtual field trips, enable collaboration among students from different schools, provide professional development for teachers and other school staff members, and enable meetings among schools and the Department of Education.
Moving to the Internet -- the LNV today
In 2006, the erstwhile VILN was revived as the Learning Network of Vermont (LNV). While much of the equipment used in the network is the same as the VILN, the dedicated ATM network is gone. Instead, each high school uses its own broadband Internet connection. Thus, the network is now a "virtual network," sharing a common easy to use dialing plan and a meeting (conference) scheduling system that allows each site to schedule and run video conferences at will.. Since the "virtual network" is on the Internet, other videoconference sites that are not part of the LNV can be invited into conferences or called directly.
In addition to those improvements , the move to the Internet saves money in several ways: Using the Internet is much less expensive than supporting a dedicated, state-wide ATM network; calls to external sites (for example, "virtual field trips" to museums and research sites) no longer carry a communication cost beyond the underlying Internet connection; and network managers at the schools no longer have to manage a separate physical network for videoconferencing.
Just the Beginning
Setting up the hardware and software is only the preamble; now it's up to each school to use the LNV in the way it finds most useful. Explore the rest of this wiki to learn more about the exciting ways you can use the LNV!