Further to this thread - readers may be interested in one initiative dispelling some of the myths about the Internet being a 'content only' medium rather than a true interactive forum, as well as offering insight into some of the possibilities offered through combining appropriate technologies for last-mile connectivity (in this case, satellite, thin-client and IP based networking). The objective being to raise educational and health standards in remote communities.
The project is administered by the Australian 'School of the Air', an organisation started in 1951, and who in a combined effort with Royal Flying Doctor Service (historically the RFDS provided the client-side reception equipment) have been providing distance education to remote rural families for the past half decade. Perhaps the most significant aspect of this initiative (and the reason it is so successful) is that it is not technology-based. The technology is simply a tool used to support long-established educational practices and processes by offering better levels and quality of access. It is highly unlikely that the technical implementations alone would have offered any significant benefits without the purpose of the technology being appropriately promoted and administered. This project is not about just providing access to the Internet, it is a managed initiative offering on-line collaboration with specific outcomes and objectives. An overview of the technical systems is available at: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020522/222063_3.html A brief history outlining the growth and development of the School of the Air is available at: http://www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/sounds/27.htm ..and for an overview of one school, please visit: http://www.assoa.nt.edu.au/ Rgds, Don ------------ ***GKD is solely supported by EDC, an NGO that is a GKP member*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.edc.org/GLG/gkd/>
