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Project
Probe
Information Sheet – November 2002 |
Project PROBE is a government initiative. This information
sheet provides useful background information from the Ministry of Education
about the initiative.
What
is Project PROBE?
Project PROBE is a Government initiative to roll-out high-speed Internet access
to all schools and provincial communities, giving school children in places like
Wairoa the same access to online opportunities available in Wellington or New
York.
Who developed
it?
Developed jointly by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Economic Development,
Project PROBE's key objective is to roll-out broadband to all schools and communities
where it has not been previously available.
What is the
access plan?
Telecommunications suppliers will be selected through a regional tender process
in 14 regions around New Zealand to deliver two-way, high-speed Internet access
(at least 512 kbps for secondary schools). Most schools should have access by
the end of 2003, while the remaining few should have access by the end of 2004.
Users will need to subscribe to, and pay suppliers for, the provision
of broadband services. Schools may need to upgrade their hardware and
software for connecting to the Internet to take advantage of their improved
access.
Project PROBE is an enabler – not a solution in itself. It will provide
the infrastructure to enable potential users to make the most of the opportunities
that high-speed Internet access can provide.
Education leading
the way
The education sector's projected demand for downloading graphic
intensive learning objects, two-way video, and high intensity classroom use, positions
it well to lead the roll-out of broadband into regions where it has not been previously
available.
Pilot projects have successfully demonstrated that two-way video over high-speed
Internet connections can allow specialist school subjects to be taught to learners
in remote locations. Broadband access will also enable schools to access digital
teaching resources, online communication, and professional development for teachers,
to offer wider curriculum choice, and to expand e-learning opportunities.
Almost all schools are now connected to the Internet, but many schools in
the regions are affected by very slow connection speeds or cannot afford the available
high-speed connections. As a result the Internet is not being used as an integral
teaching, professional development, or administration tool in these schools.
The tertiary sector, especially the regional polytechnic's hub-and-spoke
based e-learning developments, will also benefit from broadband access
in rural areas. There is potential for polytechnics to work more closely
with businesses in the regions to deliver on-site training and education.
How Project PROBE
is operating
A broadly-based regional liaison group has been formed in each
of the 14 regions to drive business and social development using broadband.
Tendering is being conducted in two stages: the request for information (RFI),
which has already taken place, and the request for proposals (RFP), which will
be released in late November with responses required by late January 2003. The
18 successful suppliers were announced in late October 2002.
What could Project
PROBE enable?
There are some examples in New Zealand of schools who are already
using broadband access to support their teaching and learning processes.
- OtagoNet
http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/articles/show_articles.cgi?id=6209
In this initiative, nine high schools and the Correspondence School
have teamed up to pool their teaching resources so that senior students
can have access to the full breadth of the curriculum. Subjects taught
by video conferencing include classical studies, physics, mathematics
with statistics, mathematics with calculus, geography, history, economics,
accounting, art, and te reo Māori.
Getting ready
Project PROBE aims to have most schools on high-speed Internet access by the end
of 2003, with the remainder on board by the end of 2004.
This is not far away.
It might be a good time for schools to start considering how best they
might integrate this new dimension of access into their teaching, learning,
and professional development programmes, and what equipment and resources
might be needed to maximise its potential.
Related links
Project PROBE Newsletter (in PDF format)
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/web/downloadable/dl7328_v1/RBBEI%20Newsletter%2001.pdf
Ministry of Education link
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=7328&data=l#P0_0
New Zealand Education Gazette/Tukutuku Korero
http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/articles/show_articles.cgi?id=6208
KAWM
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/school_improvement/kaupapa_ara_e.php
FarNet
http://www.tki.org.nz/r/farnet_new/
OtagoNet
http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/articles/show_articles.cgi?id=6209
For more information
Visit: www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/probe
Email: probe.info@minedu.govt.nz
Or write to:
Project PROBE
Ministry of Education
PO Box 1666
Thorndon
Wellington
If you would like further information about how schools who are currently
using broadband access are using it in their teaching and learning programmes,
email: admin@tki.org.nz |
