Dishes to Serve Internet to the Kalahari FIS

“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 • 2008: FIS students SERVE Internet to Moshaweng & Laxey High School

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

Life in the Valley…

Life in the Valley…

Moshaweng River Valley Upper Schools n n Bosheng Middle School Moshaweng High School Segopotso (Laxey) High School Resolofetse (Padstowe)Middle School

Schools: Exterior

Schools: Interior

Schools: Interior

Schools: Surprises

School - Surprises

School: Surprises Up-To-Date Windows XP Computers

School: Surprises

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

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

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

How? n VSAT Satellite Network ¡ n n n Reliable, easy to maintain technology 1. 2 m VSAT Dish Outside School Modem & Router Inside School USAASA ¡ ¡ Clients Infrastructure n n Electricity Established LANs

Internet Service Provider n n 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: 1. EUTELSAT (preferred…) 2. 3. PANAMSAT INTELSAT

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

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

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

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

Infrastructure

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

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

Success – 3 Installed

Success – Training Technicians

Success – Training Technicians

Training - Students Aspiring Technicians

Success – Province Level

Success – Training Teachers April 2008 Internet Training for 20 Teachers

Success – Training Students Basic Computer Skills

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

Success – My Own Children

Success – Shining Students

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

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

Other Successes…

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

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