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“Dishes” to Serve Internet to the Kalahari

“Dishes” to Serve Internet to the Kalahari. FIS Kalahari Experience Initiative. History. Frankfurt International School Service Learning Project 1991 - 2005: FIS students BUILD Schools in Moshaweng Valley 2007: FIS students SERVE Internet to Bosheng Middle School

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“Dishes” to Serve Internet to the Kalahari

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  1. “Dishes” to Serve Internet to the Kalahari FIS Kalahari Experience Initiative

  2. History • Frankfurt International School Service Learning Project • 1991 - 2005: FIS students BUILD Schools in Moshaweng Valley • 2007: FIS students SERVE Internet to Bosheng Middle School • 2008: FIS students SERVE Internet to • Moshaweng & Laxey High School

  3. Moshaweng Valley • Tribe: 300km from original home • Moved for Military base • Lives ruined • 80km from Kuruman • Minimal transportation • 50% gravel roads • Disparate Land Tracts (Small & Large) • Minimal building materials • Minimal Infrastructure • Electricity, Phone, Heat, Water

  4. Life in the Valley…

  5. Life in the Valley…

  6. Moshaweng River Valley Upper Schools • Bosheng Middle School • Moshaweng High School • Segopotso (Laxey) High School • Resolofetse (Padstowe)Middle School

  7. Schools: Exterior

  8. Schools: Interior

  9. Schools: Interior

  10. Schools: Surprises

  11. School - Surprises

  12. School: Surprises Up-To-Date Windows XP Computers

  13. School: Surprises

  14. Why? • Universal Service Access Agency South Africa (USAASA) • Modeled after U.S. SLC • Cyberlab for schools • 3 in Moshaweng (Bosheng, Moshaweng, Laxey)

  15. Surprises: “White Elephants” • Dump and Run • Lack of Training • Improper Facility Plants • No funds for Connectivity • ZERO Utilization • No Support • Others • Solar Panels • Microscopes • Calculators • Textbooks • Overhead Projectors • Satellite Television

  16. 2007 & 2008 Projects:“Dishes” To Serve Internet Pilot Site: Bosheng M.S. 2nd Year: Moshaweng & Laxey H.S.

  17. How? • VSAT Satellite Network • Reliable, easy to maintain technology • 1.2m VSAT Dish Outside School • Modem & Router Inside School • USAASA • Clients • Infrastructure • Electricity • Established LANs

  18. Internet Service Provider • MWEB (http://www.mweb.com/mweb_sa.asp) • 8 Years of experience in South Africa • Moshaweng River Valley • Gateway Internet Access • Installation Support • VSAT Satellite Provider Options: • EUTELSAT (preferred…) • PANAMSAT • INTELSAT

  19. Why? • Schools should be FIRST • Motivate students to attend • Some walk 15km each day to attend school (fluctuating attendance rates) • Matriculation Exam Pass Rate: 0% - 12% • English Language Based • Students Taught in Swana & English • Learning In Remote, Rural, South Africa: • Academic Materials • Non-existent, expensive to obtain (1 textbook per 20 students) • Media Resources • TV (works, one way delivery) • Radio (works, one way delivery) • No mail or newspapers • Education linkages to others • Non-existent (Distance Learning, e-mail, voice, video) • Platform for future Virtual Learning Environment

  20. Priorities? • No Food Service • No Transportation • No Teacher Training • Limited Infrastructure • Education – 21st Century Tools

  21. Challenges • No experience with VSAT Technology • National-Province-District-School levels • Lack of proper tools and materials • Planning: Germany – Install: South Africa • Router (Germany) • VSAT Equipment (U.S.) • Power Adaptors - Tools • Valley Distance & Time Limitations • Locating Satellites • Multi-national workforce • Multiple Languages

  22. Challenges • Inconsistent Electricity • Circuit Overload • National Shortage during Summer • Floor mounted electric & network • Overcrowding • Windows 2000 • USAASA upgraded in 2007 • Mobile telecommunications • Work Ethic • Limited expertise • Learned Deference To Whites • “Daddy Why Are You Working With A Boer”

  23. Infrastructure

  24. Challenges • Training • Change Agents • White Elephant Syndrome • Support • Curriculum Synergies • Foreign Teachers & Students • Instruction of South African curriculum for matriculation • Realizing Benefits Will Drive Usage • Potential: Communication with District Office • Points of Reference For Instruction • No Evolution: Windows XP & Internet

  25. How do you explain… • Viruses • Pornography • Slow Page Loading • Automatic Software Updates • Internet Plugins • e-mail, SPAM • They don’t receive regular mail

  26. Success – 3 Installed

  27. Success – Training Technicians

  28. Success – Training Technicians

  29. Training - Students Aspiring Technicians

  30. Success – Province Level

  31. Success – Training Teachers April 2008 Internet Training for 20 Teachers

  32. Success – Training Students Basic Computer Skills

  33. Success – Training Students Students – Teaching Students E-mail, Internet

  34. Success – My Own Children

  35. Success – Shining Students

  36. Success – Fortune’s Story “I want to be somebody.” 10km Walk Each Day To School Lacks Proper Nutrition Loves E-mail Wants to travel

  37. Other Successes… • Community Copier Services • Library (Less than 15% in schools) • John Cordwell – Canada, 6 months • ECIS – European Council International Schools • Schools • Primary Principal 6 months in Australia • Concordia College Australia school adoption • Laxey Elementary • Moshaweng High School • Matriculation Improving (slow)

  38. Other Successes…

  39. Why? Nothing is more difficult than saying: “Good-bye…”

  40. Internet Access… means NEVER having to say: “GOOD BYE”

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