EDUCATION
E-Defining Education
BROADCAST/ MEDIA
Media Megamergers Aren't Big Hits As Futuristic Synergies Prove
Elusive
In Impoverished Niger, Radio Provides Missing Links in Chain of
Development
BROADBAND
High-Speed Internet Access A Boon To Business - Study
Sky-high Broadband For Rural Areas
EDUCATION
E-DEFINING EDUCATION
Education Week's survey "E-Defining Education: A Survey of State Technology
Coordinators" sheds new light on how e-learning is changing the landscape of
education. According to the survey, 12 states have established online high
school programs, 25 states allow cyber charter schools, and 32 states have
e-learning initiatives under way. "Virtual Schools: Trends and Issues," a
report commissioned by WestEd, estimates that 40,000 to 50,000 students will
have enrolled in an online course by the end of this school year. "The
virtual school movement," the WestEd report says, is "the 'next wave' in
technology-based K-12 education." Still, concerns about online education
abound. Questions about effectiveness, quality, and technology instruction
for students are just the tip of the iceberg. To increase understanding of
the benefits and drawbacks of e-learning, Technology Counts 2002, the fifth
edition of Education Week's annual 50-state educational technology report,
examines the issues from different perspectives. Education Week reports may
be found at their Web site: (http://www.educationweek.org/). The WestEd
report is available online at (http://www.wested.org/cs/wew/view/rs/610).
[SOURCE: Washington Post]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61269-2002May9.html)
BROADCAST/MEDIA
MEDIA MEGAMERGERS AREN'T BIG HITS AS FUTURISTIC SYNERGIES PROVE ELUSIVE
There have been many concerns around recent megamergers in the entertainment
world, but to date there is no single mogul controlling all media and the
newly formed companies are struggling to make their mergers profitable. Both
the AOL Time Warner and Vivendi Universal SA merger are floundering and
posting enormous losses. Germany's Bertelsmann AG has invested hundreds of
millions of dollars to build an e-commerce system for books and music that
may not prove profitable. In the past 18 months Bertelsmann has posted $1
billion in losses. Viacom Inc. and News Corp. are also struggling to
harness the synergies of owning multiple media outlets. Joe Roth, a former
studio chief at both Disney and Fox said, "No one has proven that
consolidation works."
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Bruce Orwall and Martin Peers]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1020977823174406080,00.html?mod=todays%5
Fus%5Fpageone%5Fhs)
(Requires subscription)
IN IMPOVERSISHED NIGER, RADIO PROVIDES MISSING LINKS IN CHAIN OF DEVELOPMENT
In a country with 80% adult illiteracy, a 45-year life expectancy, and
places where 40% of children die by the age of five, a new community radio
station, Radio Affala, is bringing hope to millions. Since the first radio
station in Amataltal went on the air in March about 40 community stations
have started broadcasting throughout the Saharan desert. The stations have
received fresh funding from aid organizations seeking to reduce the
instability caused by global poverty. Radio Affala's local DJs use the
airwaves to share information about childbirth, vaccination updates,
sanitation instructions, farming tips and educational opportunities. Steven
Ursino, director of the United Nations Development Program in Niger calls
radio, "the missing link in the development chain...it gives the people a
voice." The Amataltal village chief, Akanamwa Hosseini praised Radio Affala
saying, "This is the first time we have ever had radio that we can
understand. Now people around here are forming listening clubs, where they
share a radio, to listen and discuss. We even get feedback."
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Roger Thurow]
(http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1020978457428469200,00.html?mod=todays%5
Fus%5Fpageone%5Fhs)
(Requires subscription)
INTERNET
HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS A BOON TO BUSINESS - STUDY
A new study by Yankee Group reports that an overwhelming number of small
business owners consider broadband Internet access a significant resource.
90 percent of the 550 small businesses surveyed said that gains from
increased productivity meet or exceed the cost of DSL. One reason for DSL's
popularity over a T-1 line for business use is cost: DSL is roughly half the
cost. The ability to send e-mail with large attachments is one of the most
frequently used capabilities of high-speed Internet. Other high scoring uses
include online research, purchasing supplies and making travel reservations.
The study also found that businesses that had used high-speed access for at
least two years were more likely to use the Internet for advanced
applications such as collaborative work, distance learning or purchasing
goods and services.
[SOURCE: Newsbytes; AUTHOR: Michael Bartlett]
(http://www.newsbytes.com/news/02/176491.html)
SKY-HIGH BROADBAND FOR RURAL AREAS
As part of a regeneration plan for isolated areas, rural areas in southeast
England could soon be getting access to the Internet through satellite
broadband. The development agency responsible for southeast region is
offering 300 grants to help cover the cost of satellite net access and will
provide training to users. Despite being the hub of Britain's technology
industry, some parts of the southeast have inadequate Internet access. "The
south-east has the third highest number of people in the country lacking
Internet connections," said Anthony Dunnett, chief executive of the South
East England Development Agency (SEEDA). Because England does not have any
universal service provisions for broadband, telecommunication companies have
no obligation to bear the high cost of providing high-speed access to rural
areas. The SEEDA grants are aimed at small businesses as, according to
Dunnett, more than 90 percent of the 250,000 companies in the region
employed fewer than 10 people. Other organizations such as schools and
clinics may also apply for a grant.
[SOURCE: BBC News; AUTHOR: Mark Ward]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1974000/1974740.stm)
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