The NEN is a government initiative that seeks to bring ultra-fast broadband to schools. 23 schools have been equipped with unrestricted broadband at 100Mb/s or greater since the first two trials took place from 2008 to 2009. The NEN trial extension hopes to equip another 200 schools with fast, reliable and affordable broadband connection by June 2011. Target schools are those that currently have open-access fibre connectivity.
According to Laurence Zwimpfer, NEN Implementation Manager, Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANNZ), the NEN helps to eradicate one of the biggest barriers to learning in the digital age – that of inadequate and expensive bandwidth. With these high-performance networks set in place, the government hopes that there will be improved learning as educators and students will be able to access a cloud of content, services and applications online.
The NEN also offers “simpler, lower-cost opportunities for schools to manage their ICT needs,” Zwimpfer said. These include the provision of cables, routers and internet filtering services. The initial trial of the NEN has also provided schools with online access to high definition videoconferencing, e-asTTIe (a Ministry of Education supported assessment tool) and e-cast, a network which videostreams television programmes relevant to schools.
The Ministry, together with schools that already have access to fibre networks, has been considering other online services that could be offered over the NEN, said Zwimpfer. “Some suggestions include server virtualisation, server back-ups, video repositories, Learning Management Systems (LMS), Student Management Systems (SMS), library management systems and e-portfolios,” he said.
Principals from current trial schools have expressed delight about the enhanced learning and efficient administration the NEN has brought about, Zwimpfer said. “By extending NEN to a wider number of schools, my goal is that by June 2011, all 200 principals will be feeling similarly positive about its benefits,” he added.
The symmetrical bandwidth of the NEN makes it possible for interconnectivity among schools, as well as every connected school to create as much information as it receives.
“My personal vision for the NEN is a seamless 21st Century learning environment that encourages creativity, participation, engagement and collaboration by all students wherever they happen to be located,” Zwimpfer said.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Serene Leow
Quelle/Source: futureGov, 18.08.2010
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