| 2004 |
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YEAR BOOK |
National Centre for Technology in Education
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Pivotal role for NCTE in broadband rollout to all Irish schools
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Broadband for Schools Network
In a joint approach, the telecommunications sector and Government committed to funding of �18 Million and agreed to the rollout of broadband to all 4,100 primary and secondary schools in the State beginning in 2004.
The Agreement involves a voluntary commitment of �15 Million over three years by the telecommunications sector, augmented by a Government contribution of �3 Million in the same time frame. Additional Government funds are being invested in establishing a dedicated centrally managed broadband network and associated helpdesk facility for schools, to be implemented by the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) in collaboration with HEANet, the National Education and Research Network provider.
The Broadband Network for Schools will provide high-speed broadband connectivity, centrally managed network services, and always-on broadband access to high quality multimedia content for teaching and learning. The network-based services will include the provision of centrally hosted secure email, content filtering, and online security services, including firewall and virus and spam management. Additional services will be added to the schools' network in response to changing needs identified by the NCTE.
Benefits
The ultimate benefit to schools is the provision of high quality access to the Internet, facilitating better Internet and ICT integration in the delivery of the curriculum. Schools will have easy access to a wide range of online educational resources. New communication channels and collaboration between teachers and students will be enabled, and schools will be able to establish contact, co-operation and sharing with other schools around the world through email and video conferencing. Access to broadband Internet will stimulate increasingly effective use of ICT applications in daily teaching and learning, and will lead to greater confidence and skill in the application of ICT for both teachers and students.
In the wider context, Broadband in Education has economic and social value for all of us. In the near future Irish students will be better prepared for
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�collaboration and participation in the global economy;
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�a world where electronic transmission is increasingly the mode of social and commercial communication;
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�the acquisition of lifelong learning skills outside the formal learning environment.
Contact: National Centre for Technology in Education,
Dublin City University, Glasnevin, Dublin 9; T
el: 01-700 8200; Fax: 01-700 8210;
E-mail: [email protected] ; Web: www.ncte.ie and www.scoilnet.ie