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We strive to keep you informed about technology news related to Education.
Please  with teachers, IT directors, anyone who would be interested.
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 Iowa EdTech Update
February 2024
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 Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council Update
SYBAC Learned How the Driving Safety Institute is Making Automation Safer
This month, the SYBAC students met with the Driving Safety Research Institute of the University of Iowa. We learned about their groundbreaking research aimed at improving the safety of automated vehicles through advanced driver assistance systems.
We got an in depth look at how they collect their data, watched real videos of the automated vehicles in action, showcasing their performance on various roads and under different conditions right here in Iowa. It was truly fascinating to see how the data they gather is utilized to enhance the ride experience and ensure passenger safety.
The students asked a lot of questions about how the vehicles work and what plans the Institute has for the future.
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ITEC IT Conference 2024
 The ITEC IT Conference on February 16th was an event that ICN Account Consultant David Rogers couldn't miss.
It provided him with a great opportunity to connect with IT Directors who eagerly shared the challenges they face in their careers. Attending the vendor sessions was equally rewarding, as they shared captivating personal stories that resonated with the entire audience, fostering a sense of unity within the industry. However, the highlight of the conference for David was undoubtedly the Des Moines Schools discussion. In this session, the audience gained valuable insights into a cyber attack that the school district had experienced, along with the lessons learned that can benefit everyone.
Make sure you don't miss the chance to connect with David and explore the numerous benefits offered by the ICN. Contact him today!
david.rogers@icn.state.ia.us
E-RATE UPDATES
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USAC has announced the E-rate filing window:
Funding Year 2024 FCC Form 471 application filing window will be closing Wednesday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time.
Remember! The last day to file Form 470: Wednesday, Feb 28 |
During this time frame, applications are accepted for E-rate funds that schools and libraries will use for services they need all year round. Check out our helpful article on what services qualify for E-Rate.
HIGHLIGHTED SERVICE
STRUCTURED CABLING
ICN specializes in vertical and horizontal inside plant designs, including wiring closets, inside wiring, and fiber/copper infrastructures. Our personnel have extensive experience with the TIA/EIA* Structured Cabling Standards, ensuring that our customers have the most up-to-date information.
A data closet full of unorganized cables can cause additional downtime and further delays. ICN can recommend network rack location, cabling basket system solutions, cable types, and unique labeling schemes. Once a telecom closet is organized, it is easier to troubleshoot when needed.
Let our team plan, design, install and maintain all your LAN and WAN infrastructure needs.
Iowa Schools Apply for the Iowa School Safety Grant
7,396 school districts and systems have begun the application process for the School Safety Grant. It's part of Gov. Kim Reynolds' School Safety Initiative launched in 2022.
Under the program, Reynolds allocated $75 million towards the School Safety Improvement Fund to help schools boost security at their buildings. Each school district can apply for up to $50,000 per school building and the funds can be used to make minor capital improvements, like installing locks, radios, cameras, fencing and reinforced doors.
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Iowa Schools Invited to Apply for Lt. Governors’ STEM Education Scholarship Program
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The National Lieutenant Governors Association (NLGA) has opened the application period for the annual Lt. Governors’ STEM Scholarship Program, sponsored by ACT, to award up to $1,000 to 12 schools nationally to support STEM-related activities for youth. Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2024 with award recipients announced and funded in Summer 2024.
All public, private, and tribal schools in the 50 states and five U.S. territories are invited to apply at nlga.awardsplatform.com. Funding will be awarded to schools to support STEM-related activities, programming, curriculum, equipment, and other expenses.
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Presidential Primary Sources Project
There are exciting new ways for your students to learn about our nation's history...
Come explore our country's presidential legacies through primary source documents and engaging expert conversations during the 2024 Presidential Primary Sources Project (PPSP) sessions, which are taking place now through April! All programs are live at 11 a.m. ET and 2 p.m. ET.
Sign up to take advantage of these fantastic learning opportunities!
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Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is Iowa’s only authorized Research & Education Network giving our education customers exclusive access to Internet2 services.
 127-Year-Old University Stays Agile in the Face of Cyber Threats
Fortinet Case Study
Grand View University, a long time customer of the ICN, has an impressive history and extensive expertise in the field of cybersecurity.
Fortinet, a major supplier of technology security and infrastructure technologies, provides this case study on the strong cybersecurity measures that Grand View University has in place and implements on a daily basis to keep students secure.
The presentation includes a video interview with Neil Olson, the LAN administrator at Grand View University. Olson talks about how their cybersecurity strategies and approach gives students the freedom to work from anywhere at any time while also protecting their data and safety year-round...
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 National Ed-Tech Plan Outlines How Schools Can Tackle 3 Big Digital Inequities
Education Week
By: Alyson Klein
The U.S. Department of Education wants education leaders to address disparities limiting ed tech’s potential to transform teaching and learning, according to its newly revised 2024 National Educational Technology Plan.
The plan identifies three persistent ed tech barriers to equity that it says need to be addressed:
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Digital use divide: The inequitable implementation in how students use technology. For instance, some students are asked to actively use technology in the classroom, while others use ed tech to passively complete assignments.
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Digital design divide: Inequitable access to professional learning for teachers in understanding and designing lesson plans that harness ed tech.
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Digital access divide: Inequitable access to broadband connectivity, devices and digital content. This also includes equitable accessibility, as well as access to lessons in digital health, safety and citizenship skills.
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 K–12 Schools Are Betting That Cloud Providers Can Better Secure Their Data
EdTech Focus on K-12
By: Wylie Wong
“We accelerated our cloud migration because we didn’t want to have our risk in two different areas — internal and external,” said Fil Santiago, the New Jersey West Orange district’s director of technology and administrative services.
Today, the 7,000-student, 13-school district has shifted nearly every workload away from its data center and into the cloud, which has resulted in cost savings, more efficient operations and improved redundancy and security.
“Most school districts like ours don’t have a full-time CISO or a team of security experts. So, the solution is to put it in the hands of cloud providers and software companies that have that,” Santiago says. “They will protect it better than we can because we may not have the skill sets and tools needed to keep up with the challenges of cyberthreats and attacks...”
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More Than a Newsletter
About the Iowa Communications Network
The ICN is a state-of-the-art fiber optic network providing broadband and telecommunications services to its authorized users including high-speed Internet, data, voice, security, and consulting services. The authorized users of the ICN include: K-12 schools, higher education, hospitals and clinics, state and federal government, public safety, National Guard armories, & libraries.
Contact Us
Iowa Communications Network
Phone (515) 725-4692
Toll Free: (877) 426-4692
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