Survey Results
A key element in the on-going evaluation and management of the NCIH is the proactive effort by the OSC to obtain user feedback on the effectiveness of the implementation.
The Effectiveness Sub-Committee has focused on the education area and prepared and distributed a survey instrument for Students, Teachers, Facilitators, Principals, Superintendents, and Presidents. The objective of the surveys was to gain insight into both the effectiveness and implementation of the NCIH as an instructional tool using interactive video technology. Additionally, the OSC used the survey as a vehicle to solicit direct input on several areas including video and audio quality, scheduling, coordination, as well as the perceived value of distance learning to the education community.
The survey was sent to the education sites in early 
February with 934 student surveys returned by month end. A database was created for final
tabulation of feedback and these results are summarized, along with accompanying narratives, in the
preceding graphs.
As the following summary of effectiveness shows the distance
learning classes received favorable ratings from both students and teachers. Not surprisingly the
students tended to embrace the advanced technology approach when comparing the distance learning
with the traditional classroom instruction approach. 
Caution should be exercised when analyzing the
responses but one conclusion that is supported by additional feedback is that the teachers react like
many groups with the introduction of new technology, they tend to hold on to the approach they have
used in the past.
This underscores the importance of recognizing that the implementation of distance learning over the NCIH involves factors that go well beyond the technology of broadband communications using ATM over a SONET system. Both the teachers and students are participating in a new educational experience that depends upon several factors for the full benefit to be achieved.
A key factor in the overall success formula is the acceptance and participation by the students. In this area the survey results demonstrated the acceptance and enthusiasm of both the students and teachers. When asked about the educational experience students gave distance learning classes the highest marks among all survey questions.
Feedback on the technical support the teachers and facilitators received was of special interest to the
OSC staff in order to determine their effectiveness in implementing and supporting the NCIH. 
Even
with a routine system implementation, technical and user support is a dominate factor in the success
of a project. The NCIH project represented many new challenges and obstacles that covered a wide
range including technology, heterogeneous system elements, compatibility, performance, operations,
training, support on the first of its type statewide system. For these reasons the feedback would serve
as both a measure of their efforts as well as guidance for future management decisions. The survey
questions that give this feedback to the OSC/SIPS staff and management are summarized in the table.
Another comparison that is worth noting is the response to the question on effectiveness of video instruction that was asked from the classroom to the district level. The evaluation survey contained questions directed at each segment of the users and facilitators of the NCIH. In addition to the specific questions there was a comments section that holds a wealth of feedback information. A brief summary of comments section follows and the entire survey results are contained in an accompanying document to this report.
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