About LEARN: Activities & Accomplishments

K-12 Public Schools Use LEARN To Bring Education to Texas Children

The LEARN network is used to improve the literacy skills of Texas school children.

The Texas Education Telecommunications Network (TETN) uses the LEARN network to connect the K-12 community across Texas. In accordance with the Texas Education Agency's Long Range Plan for Technology, TETN supports the mission of the Education Service Centers and Independent Schools Districts by providing distance education, virtual field trips, access to global educational activities, and professional development for teachers and administrators. Highlights of programs that were available to Texas public school children in 2011 include:

  • George Bush Presidential Library and Museum - On February 3, 2011, Texas school children joined Barbara Bush at the George Bush Presidential Library as she read First Ladies: Women Who Called the White House Home by Beatrice Gormley. This event was part of The Barbara Bush Foundation's efforts to increase literacy throughout the state.
    Using video conferencing technology enabled by the LEARN and Texas A&M University System's Trans-Texas Videoconference networks, the former first lady connected with over 30,000 students across Texas and 600 students in attendance from the College Station and Bryan Independent School Districts. All of the participating students in this program received a copy of the book as a part of the literacy program supported by Mrs. Bush's foundation.
    Barbara Bush's event is just one of the many educational opportunities offered on the TETN network. Content from the Bush Library has included programs such as: The Art and Craft of Reading and Writing Literary Nonfiction; The Life of the Buffalo Soldier, an exploration of the contributions of African American calvary and infantry regiments; The Adventures of Peter Rabbit; and El Vaquero, a study of the Spanish/Mexican cowboy's role in the American West.
  • Storm Chasers and Extreme Weather - On March 2, 2011, in collaboration with the National Weather Center at the University of Oklahoma and Discovery Education, Texas public school students learned about the role storm chasers and the National Weather Center play in protecting the public from the devastating impact of severe weather. Using the LEARN network and its relationship with Internet2 over 32,000 students in 700 classrooms across Texas participated in this live interactive educational event conducted via high-quality video conferencing.
Over 32,000 public school children learned about severe weather through distance education.

During the program, students were able to tour the National Weather Center and interact with weather experts from the Center. Additionally, students were able to interact with Reed Timmer who is a famous storm chaser and has a keen interest in education innovation. Timmer, a meteorologist and extreme weather enthusiast from Discovery Education, drives over 50,000 miles per year from the Mexican Border to Canada chasing severe weather events. Since 1999, Timmer has filmed over 200 tornadoes and has captured important scientific data that has contributed to our understanding of severe weather systems. His work has made significant contributions to our ability to predict these severe weather events and protect the public.