ACCESS in AlabamaThanks to the Alabama Supercomputer Authority
for these slides
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?