Development and Operation of a Distance Education System and Network Infrastructure for High School Students in the Metsovo Area
Introduction
Metsovo is distinctly known for its flourishing economy, based mainly on tourism, traditional small enterprises, crafts and the entrepreneurial activities of residents of nearby areas. The different activities one can engage in (such as those offered by the ski center, conference center, museums, art gallery, libraries) make the surrounding area very attractive for its residents and for visitors. Thus, it seems that the area represents, both from a quality and quantity point of view, a society which is formed according to the new prevailing circumstances.
This is the area where the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation operates, as a catalyst of new activities. The Foundation emphasizes the development of telematic and Internet services, offering a network node and access to the Telemedicine and Telework Network of Epirus (Epirus-Net). It also specializes in designing and developing telematic services.
The proposed project aims at developing the infrastructure for the provision and operation of an educational network for High School students in the greater Metsovo area. Each student is expected to have in-home access to the network and to be able to effectively use the services provided, especially insofar as educational material is concerned. We hope to offer an information society to an age group which can very easily absorb and integrate information and knowledge and thus become its most dedicated worker.
The General Framework
The significance of the information society in education is becoming increasingly important in Europe, both at a National and European level. Politicians are now well-aware of the need to support such activities and provide resources for new technologies. The Member States of Europe expect that the introduction of new technologies in education will bring about significant financial and social results. Thus, policies concerning the issue are formed at high-ranking governmental levels and usually lead to commitment and support. In such cases the commitment derives from the Ministry of Education and other local or regional initiatives. For example, the Region of Epirus has invested in information society schemes and is currently ready to develop the appropriate infrastructure.
As far as education is concerned, roles have changed. The importance of education became evident in the 19th century, at which time investments in schools and universities took place. Students had to spend much time and effort striving to reach and accomplish the goals set by the educational system. Nevertheless, the educational requirements promoted the formulation of new institutions, such as technological institutions and vocational training centers which continued the educational process. Once again however, new systems emerged operating on the basis of re-establishing education and using different mechanisms for the communication of knowledge. Such newly-created educational systems are the Open University and various school networks. Their creation originates from the high demand for knowledge and such systems make wide use of information technologies and adjust the educational process to the needs of the participants/students.
Our era is characterized by dismissal of knowledge and the need for continuing education and training. Knowledge was traditionally only offered by Universities, yet this is gradually changing and is being overturned by the need to continuously renew knowledge. Today, the educational process has been modified. In the beginning of this process, families seem to be playing a key role in encouraging or discouraging children towards knowledge and novelty. Schools and Universities are asked to take over people who have been partly educated at home, and who increasingly stay at home more because of the availability of PCs at low cost and remote access to networks. The educational system is transformed into a hybrid wherein the schools and Universities operate as node points offering knowledge and penetrating into society. Secondary education, especially, should be provided more and more at home, at the playground site and the everyday life of the family, it should be unceasing and involve continuous progress evaluation.
Nowadays, access to the Internet can be provided at a low cost while in the near future it will be provided free of charge and users will only have to pay for services. It can thus form the ideal base for the modification of the educational system. The new system is attractive, since apart from education, training and knowledge, it offers access to unlimited information and novelty. The only obstacles, which becomes apparent in areas such as Metsovo, are the cost of the purchase of a PC and, of course, the adaptation of the new educational approach. The answer to these difficulties can be offered by a broad in range and scope resolution, such as the one which follows.
The Key Role of the Family in the Area
This proposal is based upon the idea of providing education within the family. This specific choice for Metsovo was not made at random. Family is the essential structural element of the local community with the utmost importance. It prepares and equips children with the necessary knowledge and assistance. Children study at home and create their own knowledge society. Children are supervised by their parents on a daily basis, while we can discern conditions of competitiveness as far as the status and level of the education offered are concerned. On the other hand, due to weather conditions mainly, children stay at home more than on average in other Greek families.
At the same time, as aforementioned, family becomes the fundamental cell for knowledge in the new emerging economy, since it produces the prerequisite element, human resources. If the learning conditions within the family improve, then the product will be by far better and will remain viable within a world of competition of knowledge and ideas. What is accomplished by our proposed approach is the provision of education and knowledge within the family, which will continue to function according to its tradition and principles.
Human Resources within an Emerging Economy and Society
Today's economy is formulated and changing very rapidly. All participants are characterized by mobility, dismissal of their knowledge and the need to be familiar with information technology skills. Yet, how are people, belonging to the age group of 40 and above, supposed to enter such an intense and competitive activity? They lack both the courage and the persistence to learn. Would it be possible for them however, to be taught along with their children? In Greece, it is a very usual practice for parents to help their children at home with their studying or homework. Children learn easier, become acquainted with a new way of life, and familiar with new technologies. This fact constitutes the philosophy underlying the proposed project: to bring information technologies to peoples' homes aiming both at educating children and familiarizing their parents with them.
Overview
The project involves the development of the necessary infrastructure, which will provide High School students of the greater Metsovo area with access and use of the Internet and at the same time the possibility to attend their classes through the web. User groups, consisting of High School students, will be given access via PSTN and selectively via wireless links to the local Internet, which is supervised by the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation. It will also focus on creating the necessary infrastructure so as to provide training with the participation of high school teachers and software engineers who will develop classes via the web.
The proposed architecture is explicitly displayed in the following illustration:
Designated Area - Numbers
The designated area is the new Municipality of Metsovo, which includes Metsovo and four more community districts. The population of the area numbers 4.500 residents, or approximately 1.300 households. The High School students who will participate in the project are about 300 and originate from all the community districts and different families. The pilot application of the project will have 24-months duration in which time the installation of the infrastructure, and the training of the students in the use and operation of the network will be implemented.
Infrastructure of the Area
Telecommunication Infrastructure
A small capacity network node is installed in Metsovo, at the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation. This node hosts some small enterprises of the area and other individuals. The area has access to the EPIRUS-NET network (a wireless backbone ATM network which runs throughout the Region of Epirus and is owned by the University of Ioannina and the General Secretariat of the Region of Epirus), which provides the possibility of multipoint ethernet link to users of the area via an installed antenna in Katara at 512 Kbps. Network nodes are also the EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation and the Health Center of Metsovo. Furthermore, all Greek networks of mobile telecommunications run through the area. Finally, there is the possibility of digital telephone lines and ISDN (provided within Metsovo city).
Educational Infrastructure
There is one High School in Metsovo, while a number of primary schools operate in the greater Metsovo area. The contribution of the children's library and the art gallery is very important. Staff of the University of Ioannina could also offer their services as far as the organization of the curriculum and the classes are concerned.
Estimated Cost
The cost of the project (development of the infrastructure and a two-year operation) is 460.000.000 GRD, and can be analyzed as follows:
| Category of Cost | Quantitative Breakdown of Category of Cost | Expenditure |
| Students' Personal Computers | 300 students X 400.000 GRD per computer | 120.000.000 |
| Network Administration Infrastructure | Router, access server, server, PCs for the development of the curriculum, software, etc. | 60.000.000 |
| Devices for the wireless link to Epirus-Net | 50 × 200.000 GRD | 10.000.000 |
| Network Administration | 24 months X 4 software engineers X 500.000 GRD | 48.000.000 |
| Instructors | 15 instructors specializing in various domains X 24 months X 500.000 GRD | 180.000,000 |
| Dissemination activities - Familiarization of residents, students | Brochures, seminars | 5.000.000 |
| Conference Organization | Conference Organization Conference in Metsovo with 100 participants | 20.000.000 |
| Travel/Subsistence | Participation in conferences - exhibitions | 7.000.000 |
| Consumables - Other Costs | 10.000.000 | |
| TOTAL |
460.000.000 |
|
Administration - Operation
The EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation will be the Project Co-ordinator. The Foundation has the infrastructure and previous experience in the administration of similar projects. The administration of the network will be performed by four software engineers, while the progress of the project will be monitored by a Scientific Committee in the Municipality of Metsovo. The educational material will be designed and produced by a team of high school teachers who will also assess and evaluate the students. The Scientific Committee will also be responsible for the evaluation of the project both during and after its completion. A help-line site will be organized to assist users and resolve problems. During the first phase of the project, an Action Plan will be elaborated aimed at guaranteeing continued sustainability of the project results.
Dissemination - Presentation of Project Results
This project (in the form of an educational approach and technology) constitutes a pilot application for other regions of Europe and the world, especially those who present geographical and technological isolation. It also creates the circumstances for a new market which will become highly attractive in the course of the next few years. That is why an extensive and wide dissemination plan of the activities and results will be implemented. The European Union has shown extreme interest in the results of the project, and the results will be presented to:
Dissemination activities will also include:
EGNATIA EPIRUS Foundation, Metsovo 442 00, Greece.
Tel. +30-656-41770, fax:+30-656-42320, e-mail: eef@forthnet.gr