There are now clear signs that there is a movement back towards an updated version of the terminal linked to the mainframe computer. The interactive client PC linked via the Internet to a server computer is the modern day equivalent. For the education and training world this could offer cheap access to computing power and world wide access to on-line learning resources. As was the case with the video-tape recorder it is the home market which is driving this trend.
Oracle - the world’s second largest software company - has just announced a cheap network computer. Due to go on sale in Europe this autumn at around 600 ECU, it will include 8 mb of flash memory, an internal 28.8kbs modem, an infrared remote handset and the British design micro-processor by Media Online (part of the Acorn Group now owned by Olivetti). Microsoft also has plans to develop a "Simply Interactive PC" or SIPC, designed to move from the home office to the living room in order to perform functions such as controlling the stereo, video disk player, household security system etc., whilst enabling family members to surf the Internet or play interactive games. This Internet device will be priced at around the $500.
The Oracle network computer requires Internet service providers to store software applications, such as word-processors and spreadsheets, on their server computers. They will also have to provide hard-disk space for users to store data. Therefore the network computers will have no need for costly hard-disk drives and large amounts of memory.
Microsoft has also been working on their SIPC idea since last summer and specifications include a proposed standard cable connection that could send data among the various components at speeds thirty times faster than today’s typical PC connections, and a boot-up sequence that would take only three to five seconds.
It seems that Microsoft’s Internet strategy will also include making its major application programs, Word and Excel, tie into the Net (and into internal corporate intranets), and letting its customers use all popular Internet technologies, even those from competitors, such as Sun Microsystem’s Java language in order to discourage people from moving away from Windows.
The Pippin Atmark, developed by Apple and Bandai as a combined computer and game machine, will also be going on sale in Japan for 64,800 yen, or about $620, and will be available in the US by this autumn. Pippin is the name for a kind of
apple, and Atmark refers to the @-sign used in email addresses. It is also considered to be one of the first entries in the category of low-priced "network computers" intended for browsing the Internet. It has a Power PC 603, 6 mb of memory, currently only a 14.4 kbps modem, and a CD ROM drive. A keyboard, PC monitor, and floppy disk drive are available at additional cost.
Compaq is also planning to work with others to eventually offer homeowners video-conferencing and Internet access, as well as networking for any machine in the home that has a computer chip. However Compaq is only "looking for a slice of the action." If a computer connects to the Internet at a certain price per day Compaq hopes to take a percentage of the cost of doing that.
In addition, Microsoft, MCI Communications and Digital Equipment Corp. have formed an alliance to offer businesses an integrated package of communication services and products, including high-speed Internet access, email and groupware. AT&T, IBM and Netscape have also teamed up to offer similar Intranet services.
All of these developments have been generated by the "flagging" home PC market which may have reached its peak within the current price range. Thus, there is the development of a lower cost alternative, which could ensure higher penetration of home computers with access to the Internet. For education and training there are two implications. Distance learning providers seriously need to consider making their courses available over the Internet if there is soon to be a significant base of home learners having access through cheaper computers. Cheaper computers can also mean more availability in the school or college.
There are also signs that two other technical issues are now being addressed - speed of access to the school and the home and network management.
Currently there are a number of pilot projects which are testing the potential of high speed cable modem access to the home. In the UK, supported by the government’s "Superhighways in Education" initiative, a partnership involving Research Machines, (a UK computer hardware/networking company), the Telewest Communications Group (a cable company) and the Essex local education authority are running a pilot project into the feasibility and value of broadband technology to schools and homes. It is focusing on language and cultural studies, and includes the use of a digital library, inter-school links, broadband Internet access and home-school links.
Another "Superhighways in Education" community learning project is based on three schools and a number of homes in the Reading area. The project is sponsored by Microsoft, ICL Lifelong Learning Ltd., TeleCentrial Communications Plc (a cable company) and Digital Equipment. It is focusing on creating a connected learning community by linking schools and homes via the Internet. It has been designed to open up learning opportunities by developing a more versatile learning culture, through providing access to specific educational material, both in school and the home. The trial aims to evaluate and demonstrate the effects and benefits of differentiated materials, using information from the Internet. It will also explore the fundamental need for high bandwidth for accessing information on the Internet, such as graphics and video sound, by comparing the use of modem technology with typical dial up access.
Not all home users will have access to cable networks, but there are also developments towards offering high speed Internet access via satellites and wireless telephony. Microsoft and the satellite TV broadcast company DirecTV are forming an alliance to offer digital information and entertainment services that can be displayed on a TV set or a computer screen. Microsoft will produce system software and tools for content developers and will provide a number of applications to get the new service started by early 1997.
Sky Station International has also applied to the US regulatory body - the FCC to build a global wireless communications system using 250 geostationary stratospheric platforms to beam signals to and from personal communicator units, providing 64 kbps access to the Internet. Each Sky Station would be capable of handling 600,000 data transmissions simultaneously, at an estimated cost of about 10 cents a minute. The American communications specialist, Comsat also plans to test new technology next month that allows businesses, and eventually consumers, to send and receive huge data files by high-speed satellite connections. The resulting links will provide data transfer rates up to 45Mbps - this is five times the speed of a fibre-optic connection. Compaq also have plans to use satellites whilst waiting for the telephone companies to deliver bandwidth access.
Major network providers like Novell Inc. are also developing an Internet strategy and has recently agreed to license Sun Microsystems’ Java software for use with its NetWare operating system. The company also recently licensed software for conducting electronic business transactions from Open Market Inc.
Project Intranet which is also being supported under the UK government’s "Superhighways for Education" initiative will test out the running of a remote network server, taking away the network management responsibility from the schools. Although this project does have a strong curriculum emphasis one of the purposes of this trial is to demonstrate that the technology needed to achieve consistently fast and reliable multimedia networks is both affordable and available to education now. This aspect of the project is being managed by EDEX a small company who is already offering managed networks to schools. Microsoft, Mast Learning Systems and AST Computers are also partners who are involved in linking thirty schools in London and the South East of England.
The issue of paying for on-line courses on demand will soon the overcome. Mastercard and Visa have agreed to work together to develop the technology for safe credit card transactions which should be available before the end of 1996.
The Florida State University, USA plans to issue new ID cards that will enable their students to access the Internet, check grades, request transcripts or use online course materials. The "smart cards" will be available by the autumn of 1996, and business conducted with the cards will be encrypted to ensure secure transactions.
The smart card or learner card idea which also contains details of a learners training needs and activities has been tested around Europe for a few years. One of the earlier developments was within the EC ACT Project led by the Berlin-based company Condat who developed the idea for their ISDN linked client-server technology. The technology has not really taken off yet, but perhaps the development of low cost network PCs could change this, particularly if they become readily available in public libraries or community learning centres.
It’s the potential entertainment and home shopping markets which are driving all these developments rather than the education and training market. But, the major companies do also see an important secondary market for learning resources. Politically, it is also good for them to be seen to be addressing the needs of education. They may even decide that there is a market for them here as well. Traditional distance learning providers need to look out and should by now have a presence on the Internet in order to be seen. They should also be looking to create their own alliances with these major players. If they don’t these major players may just take over the market place. They already are starting to utilise their technologies for their internal training needs. It won’t take them long to transfer them to the wider education and training market.
Background information to this article can be found in the LearnTel members area on the LearnTel WWW site at: http://LearnTel.open.ac.uk.