REMC 1Mike Richardson, DirectorMike@remc1.org

Providing service to the CCISD & GOISD and their local constituent schools (the western 5 counties of the UP – nearly 5000 square miles)

Our priority is to support education by providing services, resources, trainings, and technology in a cost effective manner.

About REMC 1

REMC 1 (Regional Education Media Center 1)

Currently we provide member services to 5 counties of K-12 schools, primarily in Information Technology

We also provide Internet and network services to 4 outside counties

..as well as providing helpdesk services to 2 more In total we provide some support to

11 of the 15 counties in the UP in various ways

REMC 1 manages the fiber network that covers five counties in the western Upper Peninsula (CCISD and GOISD), and leverage that connectivity to provide advanced services. Offer services ala-carte, with some districts utilizing more services than othersExist to support education through:

* Centralization * Efficiency

* Collaboration * Economies of Scale

Services We Provide

Network and Internet Services

We offer services including: Internet Services (firewall, IPS, content

filtering) Web Hosting Services Desktop Support Spam and Virus Filtering Firewall Services “Local Cloud” Services

Storage, authentication, streamed video Hosted virtual servers, disaster recovery

SupportNet

Consortium-based IT services to 12 districts, 1 library, health department, and Head Start

Complete to-the-desktop tech support: 4000+ comps Onsite support Remote helpdesk Server and network support

Enhanced level of support Education focus Standardization/Economy of scale Built-in collaboration Specialization

Hosted Services

Email and websites: Over 15 years of service Gaggle for students, Gmail for teachers

(collaboration) Listserves:

REMC 1 hosts over 150 email lists Servers:

Vmware-based enterprise-class server cluster hosting more than 75 virtual servers

Moodle

An e-learning platform designed to help educators create online courses with opportunities for rich interaction

Provide a free Moodle server for any teacher to use Hosted for 8 years and counting

Training is recommended and available

Video Services

Traditional Video Catalog Online catalog of over 2,500 VHS titles available to

be used in the classroom (down from 6,000) Online streaming video

Digital video-on-demand and online teaching service to help improve students’ retention and test scores

Discovery Education provided to each district Local relay server provides more reliable and faster

access Learn 360 also available,

including hosting self-created content

Video Conferencing

Promote use and manage various video conferencing equipment for the local schools

Provide a total video conference service package Multi-point conferences, gateway, and recording

Help coordinate Shared Classes, Field trips, and Meetings Virtual meetings save time and money enabling school

districts to particiapte in programs that would normally not be available to staff and students

Cutout Center

Allows teachers to quickly, easily and affordably create unique cutouts in a wide range of shapes and sizes

Teachers design cutouts remotely from their own computer

REMC 1 then processes the cutout and ships it to the district

Star Lab

Explore the wonderful and magical world of astronomy within the classroom

Astronomy is a unique and complex science that encompasses within itself: History Literature Mathematics Physics Bioloby Chemistry Languages and Art

REMC#1 is Home to Two Star Labs

Other Services

Disk repair: Repair scratched CD’s and DVD’s

Posters: Create a full color poster up to 24” wide

Read to Ride: Summer program for students that

encourages reading with the incentive of 20 new bicycles

Laminating Helping to preserve classroom resources

Online resources for parents

Being Green and Recycling

Free computer recycling of more than 170 pallets of computers since 2008

Coordinated recycling of over 8,000 cell phones, ink and toner cartridges, in exchange for money supporting video resources

Consulting and Training

REMC 1 provides technology consulting, information, and training in: Internet Saftey Awareness Course Curriculum Everything Google Michigan Learnport 21 things Anything as requested

Statewide Initiatives

We work with, promote, and support statewide initiatives that enhance teaching and learning for our districts: $AVE (our districts save nearly $50 per FTE) MIStreamnet Discovery Education streaming video TWICE Michigan eLibray (MeL) Michigan LearnPort Michigan Learns Online

Issues

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

Obstacles….or building blocks

Trust and culture – agency, leadership/admin, history

Transparency – necessary to ensure fairness and equity

Expectations – make sure they are clear and attainable

Expect bumps – always the unexpected in new waters

Communication is vital – with all levels of participants

Expect (and seek) criticism – use it to grow

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” - Steve Jobs

Leading into the future

Innovate

Need to bring value add – don’t just add layer of red tape and administration

Need to change business process, not just centralize the same things. Evaluate and change as needed

Internet2 – now over 4300 connected K12s, we were in the first 5 in Michigan

Grow

Big Picture

Have to think – and act – “big picture” This is now enterprise – together you are

a much larger organization than the sum of the parts

Policies, procedures, and business processes may need to be updated, adapted, or completely changed to do business better

Advice

Don't settle, keep improving – its an ongoing process

Understand your local culture, and adapt to fit it

Ownership – someone has to take charge, own it, believe it, and make it happen You need a visionary leader to make second

order change a reality Its more than a job, it’s a passion It’s hard to be leading change

Change

A former ISD superintendent often said “Change is good”

But the truth is, change is inevitable… ..........PROGRESS is

good

Thank You!

Any Questions?