About IDEAL-NM (Innovative Digital Education and Learning in New Mexico)

New Mexico is the first state in the nation to create a statewide eLearning system that from its inception encompasses all aspects of learning from traditional public and higher education environments to teacher professional development, continuing education and workforce education. IDEAL-NM is a joint program of the New Mexico Public Education and Higher Education Departments.

Background

The IDEAL-NM initiative was announced by Governor Bill Richardson on October 27, 2006, and followed by legislation sponsored by Representative Rick Miera and Senator Cynthia Nava in the 2007 session.

1. Implementation of a statewide eLearning delivery system for PK-12, higher education, and state agencies. This includes statewide software licensing for a Learning Management System (LMS).
2. Creation of a state-led eLearning program in partnership with local schools, districts, and Regional Education Cooperatives. The intent of this program is to provide online courses that supplement the curricular offerings of New Mexico schools.
3. Creation of a statewide eLearning Service Center for PK-12, higher education, and state agencies to support the use of the shared eLearning delivery system via the LMS.  This includes Help Desk support for the administration and use of the eLearning LMS software.

Who We Are

IDEAL-NM provides eLearning services to New Mexico PK-12 schools, higher education institutions, and government agencies.  We reduce geographic and capacity barriers to educational opportunity while increasing the digital literacy skills students need to participate in a global economy.

What We Do

• Collaborates with New Mexico schools in providing online courses that expand educational opportunity for all students.  The high-quality courses are taught by New Mexico teachers.
• Works with Regional Education Cooperatives in facilitating eLearning best-practices training for member schools.
• Implements a shared eLearning infrastructure using a single statewide Learning Management System, web conferencing system, and Help Desk (scheduled for Fall 2008 rollout).
• Provides professional development courses for PK-20 teachers, and training courses for government agency employees (courses to be developed in 2008-09).
• Promotes statewide sharing of other educational resources, including subject matter expertise, instructional content and support services.
• Coordinates with other statewide technology initiatives.

Why We Do it

• Expand education opportunities, close achievement gaps, support college and carer goals, and prepare students for global competition.
• Reduce the cost of technology access to PK-12 schools, higher education institutions, and state agencies.
• Reduce the travel and personnel costs of state agency trainings and PK-12 teacher professional development via online courses.
• Increase technology application skills of New Mexico youth and adult learners.
• Facilitate more cooperation between PK-12 schools, higher education institutions and state agencies.

Advisory Council

Veronica Chavez-Neuman, Program Director, Distance Education and Extension Learning, New Mexico State University

Jim Holloway, Assistant Secretary, Public Education Department

Brian Ormand, Director, New Mexico Learning Network

Susie Bussman, Director, Regional Education Technology Assistance

Tom Ryan, Executive Director of Technology, Albuquerque Public Schools

Shari Zimmer, Education Specialist, High Plains Regional Education Cooperative

Gary Cozzens, Director, Career and Technical Education, Region IX Education Cooperative

Executive Staff

Virginia Padilla-Vigil, Executive Director, Interim virginias.padilla1@state.nm.us

Teresa Mays, Chief Technology Officer, Interim teresa.mays@state.nm.us