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Northern Lights Network
 Information
About the Network
The rural communities in northwest Wisconsin were in need of a way to bring educational opportunities to their high schools and adult populations. Delivering courses over an instructional television network was an answer to this problem. If a few students in several different communities were interested in the same course, the total enrollment numbers would be high enough to allow this course to be delivered via the ITV network. Students could stay in their own high school or community to receive this instruction instead of traveling many miles to a technical college, university, or another high school.
Technology assists our rural students with their distance learning courses. Students and instructors talk to each other using microphones and see each other using cameras and tv monitors. A document camera takes the place of a chalkboard and a fax machine and email attachments help course materials to be sent between sites.
The Northern Lights Network utilizes digital fiber IP technology, which provides for full motion video and audio transmission. Service to Northern Lights Network is provided by a number of local telephone companies whose efforts are managed and integrated by Wisconsin BadgerNet Access Alliance(WBAA) which consists of AT & T, Verizon, Access WI, CenturyTel, and Norlight.
History
The Northern Lights Network began with the merger of 2 distance learning networks (WestWING and IDEAL) each consisting of 13 members. The WestWING Network began in November 1994, the IDEAL Network began in August 1997, and the merger took place in October, 1998 with CESA 11 providing management and fiscal support. The WestWING sites upgraded their systems in continuous view during the summer of 2000.
Programming
All sites can either originate or receive programs. Programming for the 27 K12 school districts, WITC-Rice Lake, WITC-New Richmond, UW-Barron County, UW-River Falls, and CESA #11 is done cooperatively. Daytime courses for high school students, after school staff development opportunities, videoconferences, and evening/weekend classes for the community comprise the major programming focus.
Northern Lights Network can connect to other distance learning networks throughout the state of Wisconsin. Satellite programming can be downlinked at CESA #11 and then transmitted over the distance learning network. Northern Lights Network can also use IP compressed video technology to interact with resources all over the world.
Benefits
- Expanded, Enriched School Curriculum
- Staff Development Opportunities without Travel
- Business and Community Education for all District Residents
- CESA #11 Meetings/Seminars
- Interdistrict Meetings for Students & Staff
- Satellite Teleconferences Delivered on Network
- Interconnection to other Networks in Wisconsin
- Worldwide Connectivity with Compressed Video Systems
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