The North Dakota Interactive Video Network (IVN) is a statewide videoconferencing system established in 1990 to provide higher education opportunities in communities where specialized college degrees are not available. The system is also used for public and private meetings, workshops, hearings, interviews, and professional development seminars.

The North Dakota STAGEnet provides increased telecommunications bandwidth for the North Dakota University System (NDUS) campuses, state agencies, K-12 schools and other locations throughout the state. The new state network not only provides high speed Internet access, it also offers the potential to use Internet Protocol (IP) videoconferencing (H.323 Standard).

IVN provides two way audio and video communications throughout the state. IVN classrooms are located in all 11 North Dakota University System campuses, the State Capitol, the State Hospital, the tribal colleges, NDSU Research Extension Centers, and K-12 schools.

Credit classes and other events held over IVN have greatly reduced the time and expense required for travel to a single location. Two or more sites can be connected for each IVN event and multiple events can be scheduled simultaneously.

As an instructor, you will see and hear people at the other sites through the use of TV monitors, video cameras and microphones. They also have the ability to see and hear you on monitors located in their sites.

At your site, one monitor will show your current room and another monitor will show one of the remote sites. A technician will operate the camera(s) so you can concentrate on your presentation.

Switching from site to site is voice activated. Students will communicate through microphones located on the tables and a separate table microphone is provided for the instructor on the console.

Once the program has started, assume the microphones are on at all times. Side comments will be heard by everyone on the system.

You can only see one (1) remote site at a time and because the system is voice activated, the system automatically switches to the site from which a person is speaking.

If two people say something at the same time, the person who speaks the longest and/or loudest is the one you will see.

If you want to look at a different location than the one currently on your remote monitor, ask someone at another site a question. For example, "Minot, what do you think of the new state law regarding student attendance we have been discussing?" Once a person begins speaking, you and all the participating sites will see the Minot site.

As the instructor, you may wish to establish a protocol on how you want to handle the microphone system. Do you want the mics turned on during the entire class, muted or what? Inform your classroom technician when you want the mikes muted. Your procedure answering questions, etc can be included in your syllabus as well.

Other equipment available at your site may include a visual presenter (overhead projector) and VCR. Some sites may provide laptop computers for a PowerPoint presentation or you may need to bring your own. Check with your campus' site coordinator to determine what media is accessible to you.

The role of the instructor will not differ much from his/her role in a face-to-face classroom. The only difference is other individuals are involved in the videoconference process. Using videoconferencing becomes more of a team concept because other individuals are involved in making the class a success.

Site Coordinator
The Site Coordinator is the person designated by the campus (or site) to coordinate the details in scheduling the video conference. This person maintains final authority for all video conferencing activities for that site. This position provides a key link among the educational institutions, students, instructors, system scheduling, campus personnel, and users in the community. The Site Coordinator handles the local arrangements for interactive video classes and other events held in the classroom.

Technical Coordinator
The Technical Coordinator is the person designated by the site (campus) to coordinate technical details in classroom maintenance and operation. The Technical Coordinator works in cooperation with the Site Coordinator to provide technical support in the classrooms necessary for efficient operation. This position will provide a technical link with statewide technical personnel and other Technical Coordinators.

The Technical Coordinator is not required to know all of the technical details regarding the operation of the communications and classroom equipment, but needs to know how to make adjustments to the equipment and is responsible for the daily operation of the video classroom. When a problem develops with the equipment, the Technical Coordinator should identify and fix the problem if it is within his/her expertise. If the problem is more difficult, the Technical Coordinator should contact a network technician and report it, providing as many details as possible.

Classroom Technician
The classroom technician is responsible for operating NDIVN room equipment during all classes/events as assigned by the Technical Coordinator. The classroom technician makes sure equipment is up and running at least 10 minutes prior to each event. He/she will also conduct site roll call 10 minutes prior to event or delegate to another site if necessary. They are responsible for monitoring the operation of the equipment throughout the event. The classroom technician will also report any technical difficulties and make sure the problem is resolved quickly and with as little disruption as possible to the event.