SERVICE:
Information Dissemination--Cable Channel 12
Current Situation
Cable Channel 12 is Lane Countyís educational channel serving numerous schools including Lane Community College, the University of Oregon, 4J School District, Bethel School District, Lane ESD, and Springfield Schools. Although Lane shares programming with these other schools, Lane currently utilizes this method of information dissemination more than any other Lane County school.
During the regular academic year, Lane runs approximately seventy hours a week of instructional telecourses. Telecourses are just one delivery method which provides learning opportunities to students at a distance. Other methods include correspondence courses and Internet-Web based learning. The AAOT degree is available through distance learning at Lane.
When telecourses and programming from other schools are not running, a ìcharacter generator appears. It is a blue screen which provides general information. This screen is displayed during the hours in which there is no instructional programming (i.e., 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.). In past terms the Office of Instruction has used the character generator to list classes which are still open. General information of any type can be displayed. Some departments have advertised their programs on the character generator - such as Laneís chemical dependency programs.
Lane has a ìhead-endî in the basement of the Center Building which reformats media and sends it directly to TCI Cable for programming. Thus, any programming or advertising can be sent directly from Lane to TCI Cable. Mainframe information such as open classes is reformatted and sent directly to TCI Cable from this equipment.
Cable Channel 12 provides information about the status of available classes and distance learning opportunities. The channel is underutilized for programming information about services to students. During input sessions, employees proposed many feasible ideas for providing students information via cable TV.
Desired Situation:
Channel 12 is maximized to provide comprehensive visual and audio information regarding services to students such as new student information, program and general orientations, advising and counseling services, support and diversity services, information on Outreach and Community Learning Centers, class advertising and course information. The information is accurate, timely, integrated and easily understood. Content is developed and maintained by using Laneís most knowledgeable resources. Planning and support is well coordinated and on-going.
Proposed Solution:
Include Cable Channel 12 in the managed information system. Members from the planning team will work with Distance Learning to ensure that Services to Students, the Students First! Center and instructional departments fully use this information venue.
Cable Channel 12 will be used to inform students and customers of the full spectrum of Laneís services to students and the community. The channel can be used to advertise services to students, provide information on registration, testing, advising, and support service, encourage Internet access, and provide information on the implementation of Students First! redesign efforts.
Create a Channel 12 team which includes representation from: Information Planning Team, Students First! Information Support Team, Institutional Advancement, Media Services, and Distance Learning. The team will be responsible for developing a long range plan to maximize utilization of Cable Channel 12.
Coach (from Redesign Team): Bee McRae, Jana Nelson, Jane Scheidecker
Sponsor: Larry Warford
Due Date: For cable use plan: 1-12-96
Performance Measure(s):
| Measurement | Tools for Measuring | Responsibility for Tracking Measurement |
| track and increase percentage of students who use and are very satisfied with cable television | baseline = must be established follow-up = student survey |
Information Dissemination Process Owner Manager |
Action Plan For Implementing Solution:
| Task | By Whom | By When | Resources Required |
| Create Channel 12 Team. | Information Planning Team | 12/96 | 12 hours |
| Implement cable use plan. | Channel 12 Team | 1/97 - on - going | |
| Create monitoring system to track use of Cable Channel 12 for information; add questions to student survey | Channel 12 Team | 1/97 - on - going |