Title: Infrastructure for Internet-Based
Distance Learning (Network Assistance Center NAC)
Performer(s):
Mark Pullen
Computer Science/4A5
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030 |
Cluster: CAPER
Contact Information:
Phone: 703-993-1538
Fax: 703-993-3692
email: mpullen@gmu.edu
|
1. Instructional Focus:
Content areas/topics: Not curriculum based; provides assistance and support to those using Internet-based learning in any curriculum area.
Process skills: Not applicable.
2. Target Population: K-12 teachers and students and the developers.
3. Summary Description: The project establishes a center that all teachers, students, and developers can contact, either by phone or email, for help in any CAETI project. The center is called the Network Assistance Center (NAC). A staff member will be on duty at the center while testbed schools are in session. The center coordinates and/or assists in school site deployment of technology. It provides continuing support, assisting in resolving network and software problems. It coordinates and facilitates integration of the CAPER cluster with other program areas in testbed schools.
In its adjunct teacher course delivery mode, the project captures leading edge professional development courses from George Mason University, delivers them over the net, and arranges for graduate credit.
4. Training and Staff Development:
- Teacher prerequisite skills/knowledge needed: Read/respond to email.
- Student prerequisite skills needed: Students with access to NAC must be able to read/respond to email.
- Training needed/provided: Training in communication with the center, which the project will provide.
- Technical support needed/provided: The project itself is essentially a technical support program: support for the NAC, which the project provides; support for connectivity at the school level.
5. Technological/Resources Needed: Internet access. The project will support the use of various systems, including PC/Windows, Mac/System 7, Sun/Solaris, as well as PC variants such as NT and Linux. Internet courses are distributed via Sparc5 with 32M video, 1GB free disk storage.
6. Intended Outcomes:
Students: Students will use the resources of relatively trouble-free Internet-based learning technologies.
Teachers: Teachers will be able to use Internet-based learning technologies more easily because of the technical support supplied by the NAC. Their professional skills will be enhanced as a result of courses they take using the Internet.
7. Instructional Time Required: Not applicable.
8. Role of the Pilot Teacher(s): Participants will receive initial training from project personnel. Subsequently, persons in the field will communicate with the NAC to get help with setting up and maintaining the technologies on-site. Some teachers will take professional development courses.
9. Example(s) of the Use of this Product (Scenario): The testbed school site is off the Internet; Network Assistance Center contacts providers to get it restored.
A new school is to be brought up; NAC coordinates LAN/WAN connectivity, system configurations, etc.
A school has problems with CAETI software; NAC answers questions or relays messages to software providers.
