High-speed internet connections
Technological driving force of The Future of Technology in Secondary Education in 2020
Description:
High-speed Internet access or “broadband” allows users to access the Internet and Internet-related services at significantly higher speeds than those available through “dial-up” Internet access services, by using one of several high-speed transmission technologies. Broadband allows you to take advantage of new services not available with a dial-up Internet connection. One such service is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), an alternative to traditional voice telephone service that may be less costly for you depending on your calling patterns.
By having high-speed internet connection at school, it will be possible for students to communicate with other students around the world. Distance learning and virtual classrooms will be possible because of broadband. Broadband can overcome geographical and financial barriers to provide access to a wide range of educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities and resources.
Enablers:
- Provides higher speed of data transmission
- Provides access to the highest quality Internet services
- Is always on—Does not block phone lines and no need to reconnect to network after logging off
- Helps to efficiently access and use many reference and cultural resources, such as library and museum data bases and collections
- An important tool for expanding educational and economic opportunities for consumers in remote locations
- Distance learning
- Virtual classrooms
Inhibitors:
- Insufficient infrastructure for high-speed internet connection
Paradigms:
By having broadband in schools around the world, it will be easier for students and teachers to find information easier and quickly. Distance learning and virtual classrooms will be possible and broadband will become a common tool in education.
WEB Resources:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/highspeedinternet.html
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/broadband.html
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0701/S00118.htm
http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?newsid=17093