TechNews Page 1 February 2006

Washington's K-20 Education Network uses next-generation technology to improve service to customers

An eleventh grade high school student in Walla Walla, Washington jumps online after dinner on a Wednesday night to do his homework. He is taking a college-level French class from a Washington state four-year university. An hour later, his seven-year old brother, who is in the second grade, sits down at the PC to practice telling time using an interactive online program. How's this possible? Using the state's K-20 Education Network.

For the past eight years, the K-20 Education Network has been providing Internet and two-way videoconferencing services to students and educators throughout Washington state to expand their learning opportunities. K-20 Education Network services provide students with access to data and educational resources they wouldn't receive in a traditional classroom setting. Today, thanks to technology advancements, combined with the education sector's growing need to do more online, Washington's K-20 Education Network Board is enhancing the K-20 Education Network. More...

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) uses video to help citizens fulfill their civic duty

Each year in Washington state, approximately 150,000 people are summoned by 200 courts to serve as jurors. Since 1987, Washington's courts have used a 20-minute orientation video — that featured 50's TV celebrity, Raymond Burr — to educate potential jurors. To keep up with changing times, and to provide new and consistent educational information throughout the state, the courts needed a new video. More...

Department of Personnel uses Storage Area Network (SAN) to store and manage personnel and payroll data

The Department of Personnel (DOP) is currently implementing the State of Washington's Human Resource Management System (HRMS), a new personnel and payroll computer system that will replace the state's existing 30-year old system. More...