The Network4Learning SeriesThe service layer of the Network for Learning is what provides the greatest value to schools and end users. The service layer involves the local equipment and last mile connectivity that allows end users to access local and remote applications. The overarching aim of provision at this layer is to provide a seamless, end-to-end user experience, enabling access to and use of the various applications and systems required to support learning.
The service layer of the Network for Learning is what provides the greatest value to schools and end users. The service layer involves the various applications that are provided over the network and the local equipment and last mile connectivity that allows end users to access these applications.
The applications involved range from the software used regularly to support learning activity (such as word processing, blogs, wikis, and presentation software), to online resources that support learning such as web sites, streaming media, and educational games. The applications also include various administration and management systems that support school activity, including learning management and student management systems, and library management systems. Applications may be provided locally or remotely, and will increasingly include virtualized or cloud-based services.
The benefit of these remote and cloud-based services is that they can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, and using any device - supporting the notion of ubiquity as a hallmark of 21st century learning. In addition to the benefits of ubiquitous access, documents and files created and shared in this sort of environment can be more readily managed, with in-built processes for addressing version control, and with automatic back-ups avoiding the anxieties associated with local device failure. By accessing services across the network, investment can be made on a subscription basis. With version control, backup and support often covered in a subscription model, this reduces the need for on-site technical support within each school.
Schools can have confidence in accessing the services provided across the trusted Network For Learning, as they will have been selected for their suitability in the education environment, and in many cases, pricing will have been negotiated on a more affordable ‘bulk’ rate. The other aspect of this layer is provision of the end-point network configurations and devices used to actually access the network. This includes everything to do with the network establishing the connection from its termination point outside the school gate, through to consideration of the various switches, routers and wireless access points that will ensure access from anywhere within the school environment. Beyond that, decisions will need to be made about the devices that will be used to provide the end-user interface to the network. This includes everything from desktop PCs to mobile devices and smart-boards, and various forms of video and audio equipment.
The overarching aim of provision at this layer is to provide a seamless, end-to-end user experience of the network, enabling access to and use of the various applications and systems required to support learning. The principle of ubiquity remains important here also, as learning will be happening in a variety of other places besides the school, and so the design of the network must allow for access to these services from home, the library… anywhere the learner may be.
The Network4Learning SeriesThe service layer of the Network for Learning is what provides the greatest value to schools and end users. The service layer involves the local equipment and last mile connectivity that allows end users to access local and remote applications. The overarching aim of provision at this layer is to provide a seamless, end-to-end user experience, enabling access to and use of the various applications and systems required to support learning.
The service layer of the Network for Learning is what provides the greatest value to schools and end users. The service layer involves the various applications that are provided over the network and the local equipment and last mile connectivity that allows end users to access these applications.
The applications involved range from the software used regularly to support learning activity (such as word processing, blogs, wikis, and presentation software), to online resources that support learning such as web sites, streaming media, and educational games. The applications also include various administration and management systems that support school activity, including learning management and student management systems, and library management systems. Applications may be provided locally or remotely, and will increasingly include virtualized or cloud-based services.
The benefit of these remote and cloud-based services is that they can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, and using any device - supporting the notion of ubiquity as a hallmark of 21st century learning. In addition to the benefits of ubiquitous access, documents and files created and shared in this sort of environment can be more readily managed, with in-built processes for addressing version control, and with automatic back-ups avoiding the anxieties associated with local device failure. By accessing services across the network, investment can be made on a subscription basis. With version control, backup and support often covered in a subscription model, this reduces the need for on-site technical support within each school.
Schools can have confidence in accessing the services provided across the trusted Network For Learning, as they will have been selected for their suitability in the education environment, and in many cases, pricing will have been negotiated on a more affordable ‘bulk’ rate. The other aspect of this layer is provision of the end-point network configurations and devices used to actually access the network. This includes everything to do with the network establishing the connection from its termination point outside the school gate, through to consideration of the various switches, routers and wireless access points that will ensure access from anywhere within the school environment. Beyond that, decisions will need to be made about the devices that will be used to provide the end-user interface to the network. This includes everything from desktop PCs to mobile devices and smart-boards, and various forms of video and audio equipment.
The overarching aim of provision at this layer is to provide a seamless, end-to-end user experience of the network, enabling access to and use of the various applications and systems required to support learning. The principle of ubiquity remains important here also, as learning will be happening in a variety of other places besides the school, and so the design of the network must allow for access to these services from home, the library… anywhere the learner may be.
The Network4Learning SeriesThe service layer of the Network for Learning is what provides the greatest value to schools and end users. The service layer involves the local equipment and last mile connectivity that allows end users to access local and remote applications. The overarching aim of provision at this layer is to provide a seamless, end-to-end user experience, enabling access to and use of the various applications and systems required to support learning.
The service layer of the Network for Learning is what provides the greatest value to schools and end users. The service layer involves the various applications that are provided over the network and the local equipment and last mile connectivity that allows end users to access these applications.
The applications involved range from the software used regularly to support learning activity (such as word processing, blogs, wikis, and presentation software), to online resources that support learning such as web sites, streaming media, and educational games. The applications also include various administration and management systems that support school activity, including learning management and student management systems, and library management systems. Applications may be provided locally or remotely, and will increasingly include virtualized or cloud-based services.
The benefit of these remote and cloud-based services is that they can be accessed from anywhere, at any time, and using any device - supporting the notion of ubiquity as a hallmark of 21st century learning. In addition to the benefits of ubiquitous access, documents and files created and shared in this sort of environment can be more readily managed, with in-built processes for addressing version control, and with automatic back-ups avoiding the anxieties associated with local device failure. By accessing services across the network, investment can be made on a subscription basis. With version control, backup and support often covered in a subscription model, this reduces the need for on-site technical support within each school.
Schools can have confidence in accessing the services provided across the trusted Network For Learning, as they will have been selected for their suitability in the education environment, and in many cases, pricing will have been negotiated on a more affordable ‘bulk’ rate. The other aspect of this layer is provision of the end-point network configurations and devices used to actually access the network. This includes everything to do with the network establishing the connection from its termination point outside the school gate, through to consideration of the various switches, routers and wireless access points that will ensure access from anywhere within the school environment. Beyond that, decisions will need to be made about the devices that will be used to provide the end-user interface to the network. This includes everything from desktop PCs to mobile devices and smart-boards, and various forms of video and audio equipment.
The overarching aim of provision at this layer is to provide a seamless, end-to-end user experience of the network, enabling access to and use of the various applications and systems required to support learning. The principle of ubiquity remains important here also, as learning will be happening in a variety of other places besides the school, and so the design of the network must allow for access to these services from home, the library… anywhere the learner may be.
REANNZ Chief Executive Donald Clark opened the 2010 Symposium with his own story of using technology over the last decade or more, to illustrate the title of his presentation 'The geeks shall inherit the earth'. Donald includes a demonstration of connecting a school to high speed broadband, with the message that connectivity must be fast, open, cheap and ubiquitous.
Marg McLeod, CORE Education Project Director, talks about the growing number of fibre optic loops being established across New Zealand. Marg describes the opportunities these bring for collaboration, and what she calls the potential for the 'democratization of knowledge'.
From Nethui 2011: On the same day that the first NZ schools were connected to ultrafast broadband (UFB), Vikram Kumar, Chief Executive at Internet NZ, describes the potential for teaching and learning and some strategies for schools to maximise the potential that UFB offers.
