The SOLSTICE Project is one of the most exciting new developments in education
and more specifically in information technology education in Ireland and probably
in Europe.
Thanks to co-operation between Internet-Ireland's EDUNET and the Computer Studies
Department of St Oliver's Community College, Drogheda, a way has been found to
meet the ongoing needs of computer education as it faces into an explosion of use
of the Internet.
THE NEED
Computers are part of modern life; they are already things of the past.
The Internet as a medium of world-wide communication is the major computer
development of the present.
In the very near future the Internet will become part of the business and even
home life of almost everyone in Ireland.
Education now requires the massive information source that is the Internet.
Future employment opportunities for the students of today requires extensive
internet experience and training NOW.
In an Internet World, Ireland is no longer an island and our work force can
compete with the world on an equal footing. We can now sell our wares and services
to the furtherst corners of the globe.
Computer education must begin as early as possible. Maximum investment of
time, money and resources must be in young people. The history of computers
has already shown that the most important recent developments have been
master-minded by teenagers.
As teachers in the IT area, we must aim to have our students knowing more
than we do.
THE PROBLEM
Connection to the Internet is costly due to the telephone bills.
This is even more costly at the times schools would normally use the Internet.
A normal telephone connection only permits a few students to access the Internet at
the same time.
This arrangement limits the number of e-mail addresses available.
The SOLSTICE solution
EDUNET establishes a POP (Point of Presence) in the school.
(This means, for example, a 128K leased line from St Oliver's to EDUNET.)
The school internal network is connected to this line. This gives our students
permanent free access to the Internet. Eventually all our students can have
their own e-mail address.
Thirty telephone lines are installed connecting via a server to the leased line.
This allows us to provide a full internet service to customers from the community.
In return for an annual personal or business rate they can make a local telephone
connection to the Internet, have one or more e-mail numbers and have local training
and technial back-up.
The school also obtains the services of a full-time computer technician.
SOLSTICE and YOU
Here is an excellent chance for aspiring Internet users in the Drogheda area
to join a local service and at the same time make it possible for our students
to use and learn about the Internet. If you are interested in getting more
information please feel free to contact EDUNET.
Other schools interested in joining this pioneering project are also invited
to contact EDUNET.
