Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Discussion:Data <br /> There are lots of good reasons to develop school-wide data networks. They include: <br /> - schoolwide access to media resources <br /> - cost-effective software purchasing <br /> - ability to easily upgrade software versions and provide the same versions for all users <br /> - systematic backup of all files <br /> - modem access from any computer in a building <br /> - ability to share files for collaborative work <br /> - e-mail <br /> Providing a data network does, however, add a layer of complexity to the use of technology in a <br /> school. The network must be properly managed to be useful to teachers and students. This <br /> requires personnel specifically assigned this responsibility. The Committee considered this need, <br /> and included network responsibilities in the set of responsibilities identified for Technology <br /> Specialists discussed in Section IV of this report. <br /> The Committee discussed several different approaches to networking and decided that an Ethernet <br /> 10BaseT network, currently considered to provide the highest functionality with the fewest <br /> management problems, should be the district standard. Of course, given the rapidly changing field <br /> of data networking, this standard should be reviewed each year. <br /> The Committee recommends that data networks should be designed to support the following: <br /> - nine computers in each classroom,a computer for each person in each office,and a <br /> site-specific number of computers in each other instructional area <br /> - classroom access of on-line catalog of media center resources <br /> - classroom access of CD ROM reference materials such as encyclopedias and atlases <br /> - netmodem for accessing remote databases,electronic bulletin boards,people worldwide <br /> - in-house electronic mail <br /> - counselor access to SIMS (secondary schools) <br /> - teacher access to selected SIMS modules such as basic demographic data and grade <br /> input <br /> - laser printers, scanners,other peripherals <br /> Providing these capabilities would involve: <br /> - purchase of network hardware and software needed to make the data network <br /> functional, such as file server(s),connecting cables and related cabling hardware (e.g. <br /> star hubs), network software for the file server,network software for the workstations, <br /> network management software,and network cards for existing networkable equipment <br /> - purchase of hardware and software to make the data network useful, such as media <br /> automation hardware and software,netmodem,network CD Tower,email software, <br /> network version of an integrated software package (e.g.ClarisWorks or Microsoft <br /> Works) <br /> Discussion: Video, <br /> Video offers many exciting resources for education and is an important source of information for <br /> teachers and students. The Committee believes that cable TV should be available to all instructional <br /> areas, and that each school should have the capability of broadcasting from a single location in the <br /> school to all classrooms and other major instructional areas. Although it is cost-effective to pull <br /> cable for video networking at the same time that cable is pulled for data networking, some schools <br /> may want to pursue inexpensive site-funded solutions prior to the time they are scheduled for <br /> major retrofitting. <br /> 11 <br />