The SchoolSat Initiative Satellite Technology as an Access Technology for Schools

The SchoolSat Initiative Satellite Technology as an Access Technology

for SchoolsSally Reynolds, ATiT Belgium

Satellite Technology in Education

• As a way to provide two way access to the Internet particularly in rural schools and learning communities unlikely to receive broadband otherwise: Unicast

Satellite Technology in Education

• As a way to provide large scale content distribution of multimedia-rich educational material to schools and other learning communities: Multicast

Background to SchoolSat

• ATiT study for ESA as part of TRAPEZE Project 1999-2000 on satellite technology as a possible solution to schools’ access problems identified opportunities

• Demonstrated two-way Internet services via satellite to several national authorities and agencies

• Formed consortium and applied for funding to ESA for trial in Ireland to: • Prove technical viability including installation and

maintenance• Identify patterns of usage amongst school population• Provide show-case

Initial impetus for SchoolSatAccess issues in Ireland 2001

• 70% Primary schools < PSTN• 11% Primary schools ISDN• 6% Secondary schools < PSTN• 12% Secondary schools ISDN• 1% Broadband (cable or ADSL)

SchoolSat for Donegal2-way satellite Internet access for 10 secondary schools: provision of hardware, connectivity, IT support, training for teachers and applications

Partners:• ATiT• Web-Sat• NCTE• Donegal Education Centre

Supported by European Space Agency with 50% funding

under ARTES 3 programme

SchoolSat for DonegalArrain Mor

Gaeltacht vocational school

46 pupils (mixed) 18/18 PCs 1 x ISDN

BellanmoreGaeltacht vocational school

141 pupils (mixed)

24/25 PCs 1 x ISDN

Buncrana Secondary School744 pupils (mixed)

30/46 PCs 1 x ISDN

Carndonagh

Community School1513 pupils (mixed)

25/140 PCs

3 x ISDN (*)

Carrick Vocational School291 pupils (mixed)

18/18 PCs - (*)

DonegalDonegal Education Centre (*)

Teacher training 17/24 PCs 1 x ISDN

Donegal Vocational School974 pupils (mixed)

20/44 PCs 1 x ISDN (*)

Glenties Comprehensive School528 pupils (mixed)

26/34 PCs 1 x ISDN

Letterkenny

Secondary School 990 pupils (girls) 31/40 PCs 1 x ISDN

Milford Community School607 pupils (mixed)

10/32 PCs 1 x ISDN (*)

Two-Way Satellite Internet Connectivity

Outdoor: 84 cm antenna

Indoor: Internet gateway PC connected to the school LAN

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Installation and Support

Project outcomes

Evaluation by SchoolSat team and Independent Educational Advisor appointed by NCTE

Technically:• Transfer per school varied, average less than 500

Mbyte per month. • Ratio 10:1 to 20:1• No relation to School Size or Pupil/Online PC ratio • Minimum Faults, mostly lack of user familiarity • Issues to do with LANs, security, temporary

nature

Project outcomes from an educational point of view

• … facilitate greater use of the Internet in schools particularly allowing whole-class activities

• … barriers to do with ideas, curriculum and access to the room

• … Internet can be used in valid educational ways. • … teachers report the technology was highly

motivating• … satellite access provides a viable connectivity

particularly for rural schools

Current Status

• Service remains operational, funding in 2003/2004 from Dept Education and Science and other bodies

• 2004/2005 paid 50% by schools themselves and 50% as trial network for SchoolCast trials

• National Broadband service roll-out currently underway, ITT issued in July 2004 – results expected November 2004, first schools to be connected in Spring 2005

Broadband Service to Irish Schools

Key features to the proposed scheme:• Move from decentralised service with budget

given to schools individually to pay for Internet services to centralised Schools Network to be managed by HEAnet (government owned academic network linking universities and other HE colleges)

• Role of Satellite Technology in providing access moved from 1999 “too expensive and impractical to use” to “ the only viable solution in the short-to-medium term for more than 50% of Irish schools

Schools Tiered Model

Ref. Datanet 2003

Options available: Leased Line, Satellite, Wireless (radio), DSL

Ref. Datanet 2003

Technical Ranking

Ref. Datanet 2003

Rationale for choice• Leased line where the service can be provided at

a comparable price to ADSL or Wireless, available at 78% of school locations BUT cost justifiable in only about 5% of locations

• Where leased lines are not cost justifiable – wireless is next choice but general availability of mature offers are low

• ADSL is 3rd choice but only available at about 37% of schools

• While satellite is ranked lowest – strength lies in nationwide availability and represents easiest way to provide broadband to schools where other services not available (estimated at 60% of all schools)

Recommendations

Features of ITT

• Mix of technologies: telcos can apply to connect all or just some schools

• Delivery of connectivity to the school router • Contention rates required in responses to call• Open for best possible solution that can be offered• Discrepancy between money available to run the

service for 3 years and the cost estimated, 3:1• Responses must include upgrade path• Financed largely by contributions from

telecommunications industry

Next steps…

• Broadband roll-out to schools in Ireland due to begin in January and to be completed by September 05 using a mix of technologies including satellite

• Schools content delivery trial to begin using a service product called SchoolCast in January, with service product commercially available summer 05

• Identifying other opportunities to utilise satellite technology for provision of access and/or delivery of content underway.

Further information and contact points

[email protected]

Final report SchoolSat: http://www.atit.be/dwnld/schoolsat_final_report2.pdf

Information about Schools Network rollout in Ireland from: http://www.heanet.ie and http://www.ncte.ie