Getting connected

Computers in Secondary Schools in Developing Countries - Costs and Other Issues
Clearly when planning any integration of ICTs into education, a thorough analysis of costs involved is vital, if we are to ensure both success and sustainability. Concerning this issue, Mr.Cawthera's paper provides an invaluable resource. Beginning with an overview of the information revolution and its consequences, the paper goes on to a brief examination of the reasons for implementing ICTs into the education systems of developing countries, before reviewing previous work on the costs entailed in such provision. Getting a school on-line in a developing country: common mistakes, technology options and costsThis article shares the experiences and lessons learned of World Links in their programmes aimed at helping schools and community telecentres "get on-line," to establish a connection to the Internet, in a variety of circumstances, for a variety of purposes.

Computers in Schools:10 Points to Avoid Past Errors
This site offers lessons learned and guidelines in bringing computers to schools and avoiding the traps and pitfalls experienced by others in introducing ICT in schools.

Configuration of School Technology: Strategies and Options
This article presents the various things to consider when integrating computers into education especially with regard to where and how computers should be distributed, connected and used. It looks into physical configuration, networking technology options and Internet access options.

Seven Categories of Classroom Computer Use
In these notes for a presentation, the author outlines seven categories for using computers in the classroom. These include the use of computers as administrative tools, presentation tools, communication stations, information stations, publishing tools, learning centres, and information centres. Furthermore, the author addresses issues in classrooms with only one computer.

Worldlinks School Connectivity
Over the past four years, World Links has piloted a variety of technical solutions to promote educational access to computers and the Internet including using a combination of new and refurbished technology, land-line, wireless (cellular, spread spectrum and VSAT satellite technology) and mobile telecentres.

Safeguarding Wired Schools
Since the mid-1990s, the question of whether Internet content should be screened by ISPs, schools, and libraries has been the subject of hot debate. The Consortium for School Networking has long argued that the decision on whether to manage and monitor Internet usage, and, if so, how best to do it, belongs at the local level. The project Safeguarding the Wired Schoolhouse intends to help school leaders understand the issues involved in managing Internet content.

Powering ICT: An Energy Solutions Toolkit for ICT Projects
Recognizing that an informed strategy for access to power in rural ICT projects can prevent interruptions of programme activities and services, this Toolkit  provides information to make informed decsions about energy use for powering ICT equipment.