Scippy Network News

Welcome to the first Scippy Network Newsletter for 1996. Just a reminder that the intention is to use this newsletter to keep everyone up to date with latest project developments, and sharing of any new ideas. If anyone is interested in contributing articles or information to future issues, we'll be providing some guide-lines below.

At the end of last term, Scippy systems were installed at Clairgate, Penrith PTEC, Mount Riverview, Hazelbrook, and Meggalong Valley. By the end of February those systems will be fully commissioned and operating on a round the clock basis.

Welcome also to Colyton High School, Lithgow High School, and Queenwood School For Girls: These schools will be joining the pilot project over the next few weeks.

Last year, both Apple and Novell offered substantial support to the Scippy project by way of providing evaluation software at no cost. Since then, both Intel and Quarterdeck have offered to supply substantial support by allowing us to evaluate some of their state-of-the-art network software products. More news about this next issue.

Thanks to Pacific Power, the first Scippy Web Server is now accessible at www.powernet.nsw.gov.au. Anyone with Internet access can now get information and subscribe to the Scippy Mailing List at that address.

For those of you who still don't have a clue about Internet and/or how the Scippy network will fit into the picture... never fear... help is at hand!

Scippy Big News In 1996!

Rather than focus on the technology, we thought that this issue should direct some attention towards the end user - the students and teachers who will primarily utilise the network.

Experience with previous projects has convinced us that no matter how wonderful the technology, long term success is not possible without good basic training.. This must be especially true for teachers in a classroom situation - If we can't understand it ourselves, how well can we teach it?

After some discussion, it was felt that the following are the three main issues related to end use:

1. Understanding of networking.

2. Competence with software.

3. Lesson plans and projects.

We are currently examining some options to provide training to interested teachers later in term one.

Scippy to the rescue - teacher in-service on the way!!

"no matter how wonderful the technology, long term success is not possible without good basic training."

Scippy Network - Bringing New Resources To N.S.W. Schools?

Networking is simply a more efficient means of sharing resources.

At face value that may not seem such an unusual thing, but the more you experience the benefits the more excited you are sure to become! Scippy will allow schools to freely transfer electronic mail and documents almost instantaneously. It will allow students and teachers to work co-operatively outside the constraints of their own classroom. A resource available at any location on the network is potentially available as if it were located at the desk of every student! The above section, or some variation of it, is the way that network access is being promoted today - no matter whether it is someone trying to sell you Internet or some other networked service. Although probably most of what you hear is true, there can be plenty of variation between the "potential" and the reality! In recognition of this, Scippy is aimed to provide a step-wise approach based on a low cost model that is capable of being implemented in schools on a non exclusive State -wide basis. Initially the network is designed to allow schools to share electronic mail, chat, and desktop publishing facilities. For those schools who can find the resources,the model will allow for real time access to shared CD-ROM libraries, real-time video and multi media applications, and just about every fancy innovation likely to appear in the foreseeable future - but as usual, you'll probably find you need to get the basics right before you can do much more!

Our short term objective is to get the network operating reliably and to organise the necessary teacher training to ensure we can go that extra next step.

Please send suggestions to the author!