ACCESS in AlabamaThanks to the Alabama Supercomputer Authority

for these slides

What is the Web address? http://accessdl.state.al.us

What is ACCESS? Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students State-

wide

Vision: The State of Alabama will provide equal access to high quality instruction to improve student achievement through distance learning opportunities.

Mission: The mission of the distance education program in Alabama is to provide an infrastructure that delivers equitable, quality learning opportunities for all citizens.

Rationale • Small rural schools• Low socio-economic status

especially high in the Black Belt region

• Lack of sufficient educational resources

• Lack of Resources Impacts Students ability to:– Go on to higher

education– Earn adequate wage– Compete in local,

national, and global economies

Web-Based• Web Site Portal• Multimedia Content• Usually Asynchronous

Videoconferencing (IVC)_• Real Time (Two-Way Audio/Two-Way Video)• Streaming• H.323 Standard• Synchronous

Blended• Online With Face-to-Face Sessions and Virtual Field Trip

Added via Web Conferencing Software• IVC With Learning Management System (LMS) for

Assignments, Communication, and Projects

The ACCESS Blended Model Approach

ACCESS Management

• Alabama Department of Education• Support Centers• LEA/Schools

What’s Ahead?

Plan for 2006-2010 developedExpand the number of students served (10,000 to 45,000)21st Century Classroom in every High School by 2010Strengthen support centersProvide expanded connectivityContinue outside evaluation

Alabama Supercomputer Authority

State AgencyAcademic Network (AREN)

Supercomputing CenterInternet Services

History of ASA• Begun in 1987– Supercomputer Center in Huntsville, AL– Alabama Research and Education Network(AREN)– State agency in Montgomery, AL

• Agency established to provide supercomputer resources to higher education (science and engineering)

• Funded by state appropriation and client service fees• AREN provides network-high speed connectivity

to K12, community colleges, universities, public libraries

State-wide Network

Mobile

Montgomery

Birmingham

Huntsville

Infrastructure Role in ACCESS

• Provide infrastructure for Governor’s ACCESS initiative

• Assure Quality of Service• Expand bandwidth• Simultaneous participation• Multi-mode video transport

Challenges

• Many different ISP providers• Coordinating connectivity with vendors• Local systems don’t know what they need or already

have• ASA technicians and network engineer overload• Communication with all parties involved• Compressed timeline• Helpdesk responsibilities-who does what?