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	Technology   |   Applications   |   Sites Grant Award Reaches Across Kansas The T-RAK (TELENET 2 - Reach Across Kansas) project supported by the USDA Rural Utility Service grant ended on May 30, 2003. The project began in Spring 2000 with a goal of helping to bring video conferencing technology to rural communities. T-RAK was an extension of TELENET 2, a distance education network located on the Kansas State University campus comprised of desktop video conference class/meetings rooms in 25 Kansas communities. Up to 20 sites can link simultaneously for university courses, training seminars, meetings, and other video conferences. T-RAK funds supported video conferencing in 36 Kansas communities. Eighteen participated in T-RAK using the matching funds of up to $2,500 to purchase video conferencing equipment to establish new sites in counties that didn't have a TELENET 2 site. These sites are independent of TELENET 2. T-RAK was expanded in January 2003 to include funding eligibility for established TELENET 2 sites of which 18 of 25 participated resulting in increased and improved video conferencing capacity at those locations. Technology: Video conferencing technology changed considerably during the three and one half years of the grant. The standard equipment for early adopters was a PictureTel 550 with a 21" monitor; however, several participants tailored their equipment to their specific needs. PictureTel was purchased by Polycom and the Polycom ViewStation 128 and a 32" monitor became the standard for T-RAK participants. The equipment at all sites have the capability for both ISDN and IP connectivity with high-quality video at lower bandwidths. Applications: Video conferencing increases Kansas opportunities for distance education and other programming. Local area programming or meetings can be developed at any T-RAK site and a site can link to TELENET 2 programing. The video conferencing equipment is used for a variety of purposes. Two community colleges "meet" with their colleagues on their branch campuses via this technology. At least two community colleges link their multiple campuses for courses. Three elementary schools use the equipment for the TeleKidcare program out of the University of Kansas Medical Center. One site participated specifically to join the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center programs. Several of the independent sites have joined TELENET 2 courses helping local students almost eliminate travel to their classrooms. The TELENET 2 sites use the equipment for distance education, training sessions, and other meetings. Sites: The 17 independent and the 18 TELENET 2 sites T-RAK supported sites follow: Abilene - Eisenhower Library Arkansas City - Cowley County Community College** Atchison - Highland Community College Beloit - Beloit High School Burlingame - Allen County Community College Chanute - Neosho County Community College** Clay Center - Clay County Emergency Service Academy Colby - Colby Community College** Dodge City - Dodge City Community College** ElDorado - Butler County Community College** Garden City - Garden City Community College** Great Bend - Barton County Community College** Hays - Fort Hays State University** Highland - Highland Community College Holton - Highland Community College Hugoton - Stevens County Library Independence - Independence Community College** Iola - Allen County Community College Kiowa - South Barber Elementary Leavenworth - Kansas City Kansas Community College at Leavenworth** Liberal - Seward County Community College** Manhattan - Kansas Regents Network, KSU**** Marysville - USD #364** Oakley - Northwest Kansas Educational Service Center Ottawa - Neosho Community College Parsons - City of Parsons/Labette Community College Pratt - Pratt Community College** Protection - South Central Elementary/Middle School Sabetha - USD #441** Salina - K-State Salina, College of Technology and Aviation** Scott City - Bryan Education Center Stafford - Stafford Elementary School Sublette - Southwest Plains Regional Service Center** Topeka - KU Public Management Center** Wamego - Highland Community College ** = TELENET 2 Site **** = TELENET 2 Site & Central Office
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