What was IDEAS!, Indiana's Lifelong Learning Service?

Until 2005, IDEAS!—Indiana's Lifelong Learning Service—provided a stream of Indiana-based educational programming directly to the home. Developed by the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS), the Central Indiana Public Broadcasting Consortium (CIPBC), and Indiana's Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS), the service represented a unique partnership between higher education and public broadcasting to meet the learning needs of Indiana residents using the latest digital technologies.

With four participating stations, IDEAS! was available to all nine Indiana PBS stations when fully operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The ultimate goal was to create a not-so-distant future where all Indiana residents could take advantage of formal and informal learning opportunities throughout their lives from the convenience of their own workplaces, classrooms, and homes.

Management

A joint Advisory Board with representatives from Indiana colleges and universities and public television stations provided policy guidance for the overall direction and goals of IDEAS!. Operating teams were being formed, including task groups on engineering, fund raising, and program development.

IDEAS! was administered by IHETS in Indianapolis. IHETS hired a full-time program manager to work with partners to assemble and schedule programming for the service. (Initially, programming emphasized credit and noncredit courses developed or sponsored by IHETS member institutions.) The IDEAS! Web site reflected its association with IHETS and participating stations, enabling access to additional educational resources associated with the IDEAS! programs and courses.  IDEAS! was linked with the Indiana College Network to assure the required support for learners engaged in formal educational programs.

Reception requirements

The IDEAS! service was broadcast to homes by four participating Indiana PBS stations (see the IDEAS! Web site for a list of participating stations).  Viewers needed a digital television (DTV) receiver to receive the service over the air or view it via cable. Many cable systems agreed to make digital multicast channels from public broadcasters available to their subscribers. A television or computer with an Internet connection was required to access related Web-based content. 

For more information, contact:

Susan Scott
Director of e-learning
Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS)
714 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3112
Phone: 317.263.8900
E-mail