Policy issues dealing with connectivity and infrastructure

Solving the connectivity problem from the UNESCO ICT in Education in Asia and the Pacific Website
http://www.unesco.org/bangkok/education/ict/teaching_learning/solving/introduction.htm

http://www.unesco.org/bangkok/education/ict/teaching_learning/solving/introduction.htmNo Strings Attached: Education Management Using Wireless, Internet and Smart Card Applications
http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?IssueNumber=9&FileType=HTML&ArticleID=235
Wireless communications, Internet and Smart Cards can provide fast, reliable and cheap solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing education systems today.

School Connectivity: Wishful Thinking or Wise Action?
http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?IssueNumber=4&FileType=HTML&ArticleID=93
This article describes a pilot project in Uganda that links via the Internet secondary-level students and teachers around the world.

Technology and Institutional Change: Why Some Educational Institutions Use Technology and Others Don't
http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?IssueNumber=3&FileType=HTML&ArticleID=58
Information technology is sold aggressively around the world and its price keeps falling. Yet, the use of ICTs in education is particularly skewed, regardless of level.

The Teledesic Network: Using Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites to Provide Broadband, Wireless, Real-Time Internet Access Worldwide
http://www.isoc.org/isoc/whatis/conferences/inet/96/proceedings/g1/g1_3.htm Teledesic was formed in June of 1990, with the objective of creating a means of providing affordable access to advanced network connections to all those parts of the world that will never get such advanced capabilities though existing technologies.

Getting a School On-line in a Developing Country: Common Mistakes, Technology Options and Costs
http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?FileType=HTML&ArticleID=368
This article shares the experiences and lessons learned of World Links in their programmes aimed at helping schools and community telecentres get connected.

Satellite Caching Project
http://www.telesat.ca/satcache/
Telesat explored the potential advantages of remote caching.

Broadband Enabled Lifelong Learning Environment
http://belle.netera.ca/
Broadband Enabled Lifelong Learning Environment (BELLE) is a $3.4 million shared-cost project funded under the CANARIE Learning Program. BELLE's objective is to develop a prototype educational object repository.

Bridging the Digital Divide with VCDs
http://www.his.com/~pshapiro/videocds.html
The author of this article says that the quantity of learning outside school is insufficient and could be enhanced by the creation of new learning places and portable learning devices. He sees video CDs as a perfect medium to transport knowledge and facilitate interactive learning.

Multi-User Virtual Environment and GIS Workshops
http://www.edtechleaders.org/Resources/articles/emerging.htm
The Leadership and New Technologies Institute ran two online workshops in a series entitled Emerging Technologies for Active Learning. The goal of this series was to connect research and practice by examining emerging tools, research, and initial classroom experiences; envisioning future uses in schools; and identifying factors for successful implementation.

World Computer Exchange
http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/
The World Computer Exchange (WCE) is dedicated to helping the world's poorest youth bridge the disturbing global divides in information, technology and understanding. WCE does this by keeping donated PCs, Macs, and Laptops out of landfills and giving them new life connecting youth to the Internet in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The University of the South Pacific: USPNet-2000
http://www.usp.ac.fj/its/sections/uspnet/index.html
USPNet-2000 is a new USP-dedicated VSAT telecommunications network funded by the Governments of Japan, New Zealand and Australia, together with the USP member countries. Here you will find details concerning the technical functioning of the network, as well as funding sources and countries covered.

Configuration of School Technology: Strategies and Options
http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_active_pages2/CurrentArticles/main.asp?FileType=HTML&ArticleID=356
This article presents the various aspects 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.

The Use Of Satellite Technology In Distance Education For Delivering Instruction
http://home.anadolu.edu.tr/~udemiray%20/&Useof.htm
This academic paper summarises the many ways governments have used satellite technology for teaching and learning in both developed and developing countries. The author specifically examines experiences of countries such as Japan and Turkey, along with conclusions about using satellite technology in distance education for delivering instruction.

Why Simputer, Why Not?
http://www.digitalopportunity.org/fulltext/kanti20021030.shtml
As contribution to the heated debate on the merits and pitfalls of the simputer, the scope of this tool is discussed here: “…it cannot feed the poor, it cannot eradicate diseases and it cannot teach the non-literate.” However, “…most important, the Simputer can help in community building and bridging the social gap.” The author sites examples of the efficient application of simputers in India, Laos and Bangladesh.