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SUBJECT: Educational Service Provider Modules for Remote Locations

 

PURPOSE OF PROPOSAL

 

        The purpose of this proposal is to persuade commercial or government philanthropic or public educational institutions to consider the following modular technology solution to the education of remote learners. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEEDS

Dr. Yunus, the creator of Grameen Banking that began giving micro-loans to poor women in 1976 with profound results, gave the following statement about the needs of the poor.

I see [the] alleviation of poverty as a do-able proposition. We can remove poverty from the surface of the earth only if we can redesign our institutions - like the banking institutions, and other institutions; if we redesign our policies, if we look back on our concepts, so that we have a different idea of poor people.

Because at present poor people are looked upon as if they have to be dependent on somebody's handout, on somebody's mercy. They are NOT looking out for somebody's handout, they are NOT looking out for somebody's mercy.

They want their legitimate due - and they can handle the rest themselves. They can pull themselves out of poverty (Yunus, 2001).

     For Dr. Yunus, credit is as fundamental a human right as the right to freedom of speech, food, shelter, health, or education. The author of this proposal wishes to stress the right to an education. If micro loans can revitalize communities, education can make contributing world citizens out of the individuals who make up those communities.

       

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has always emphasized the linkages between culture and the broader aims of human endeavor. This has been part of its core constitutional mandate of "advancing, through the educational, scientific and cultural relations of the peoples of the world, the objectives of peace and the common welfare of mankind" (UNESCO, 2001).

        The fact that education is an important part of that international organization’s goals emphasizes the need to educate the global public. This author share’s the educational goal of UNESCO.

         

OFFERED BY THIS PROPOSAL

The education of remote populations is a unique challenge and will be addressed in the form of Educational Service Provider Modules (ESP Modules). The modular technology lab classrooms could easily be adapted to locations with public service utilities. The challenge of this proposal is to meet the needs of the most remote populations by listing the items required for a completely isolated location.

 

Put simply, the ESP Modules can be assembled for almost any population that will accept the responsibility of security and participation. In return the local population will be offered education, Internet access, postal service, on-site jobs, potential for international off-site jobs, and additional ESP Modules based on the success of the first module. Figure 1 is a possible configuration of an ESP Module.

Figure 1

Educational Service Provider Module

BENEFITS

The following research demonstrates that individualization, novelty and systematic presentation are the requirements for successful instruction. The author wishes to make the point that it is just such individualization, novelty and systematic presentation that can be much improved with the assistance of computers.

 Bloom’s (1971) monograph on the “Individual differences in School Achievement” points to the rolls played by the various aspects of an educational environment. Bloom states that 50% of student variance is attributable to ENTRY BEHAVIOR, 25% to AFFECTIVE ENTRY CHARACTERISTICS and 25% to the QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION. Bloom continues by explaining those three sources of variance in student success. He states that teaching a frustrating population of students can be 50% easier if a short amount of time is spent catching up the less experienced individuals in the classroom. Bloom said that the job could be made 25% easier by disassociating the student’s present educational experience with past unpleasant experiences. Finally the job of teaching can become 25% easier when the teacher uses researched lesson cycles to present the material.

In April of 1999 the author performed research comparing student success with computer-based testing vs. traditional testing. It was clear that the students demonstrated many less discipline problems when the author taught his lessons in the computer lab. So the author wished to learn if student test scores would improve by simply taking their tests on computer. Group 1 had a mean score of 59.32 (traditional paper test) and Group 2 had a mean score of 67.20 (computerized test).  The t-test results between the two groups of learners demonstrated that there was a 0.009 level of probability of obtaining the sample means as far apart as 7.88 by chance alone. It is the author’s opinion that student interest in computers is so pervasive that even traditionally distasteful instructional tasks are approached with alertness.

Bloom’s research and this author’s research both call for the use of individualization, novelty, and systematic presentation, which are some of the most striking features of computer assisted instruction. Combined with the authors thirteen years of classroom teaching the preceding research has convinced the author that technology is the most desirable tool and subject of study, for challenging remote populations.

The global community is in need of world-citizenship building skills based on the cornerstone principles of cultural pluralism. Cultural pluralism is accomplished by exercising equality, mutual acceptance, understanding and a sense of moral commitment focused on the intra- and intergroup relationships of individuals and their inherent rights (Baptiste and Baptiste, 1979).  A diverse but unified population with access to international information and organized instruction can become a production line for productive global citizens.

 

CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT

The cost, schedule and quantity of the remote classrooms must be adapted to the individual site, however this document prescribes a basic system of remote housing, electrical power, Internet access, workstations, workstation networking, sanitation, curriculum, financial autonomy, security and adaptation to the local culture.

 

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

 

Many remote locations do not have access to contemporary technology or information. The resulting divide between the haves and have-nots can create dangerous resentment.

 

PROPOSED SOLUTION

 

          The components that make up Educational Service Provider Modules are easy to access in many countries. This author proposes a list for assembling such modules, which does not depend on one source for the components. There is cause for hope among remote populations, when individuals who possess the financial resources to use the author’s research, come to know that the tools are at hand to disseminate independence building skills. The specifications of the ESP Modules are as follows.

 

Building

 

A portable shelter is leased or purchased from a manufacturer or dealer nearest to the site.  The cost including transportation, anchoring and set up is approximately $11,000 for 2 connected 12 X 12 X 8 foot rooms. Figure 2 is an example of a 12 X 12 modular building that costs $30.02 per Square Foot or $4324.00.

Figure 2.

Birds eye view of one commercially accessible modular building

 

Building Specifications

 

·        8' tall Standard Walls 4 mil vinyl clad 1/8" hardboard on polystyrene foam core 3" thick

·        Steel Door with 3/16" tempered safety glass window

·        (4) Windows 3/16" tempered safety glass w/steel frame

 

Electrical

 

An electrician will only be required to bring power to the building and complete the hook-up at the breaker panel. The electrical features that are included with each 12’ X 12’ unit are as follows.

·       (1) Light Switch

·        (5) 110 volt Outlets

·        (2) Light Fixtures, 2' x 4' less bulbs

·        (1) Breaker Panel

·        144 sf. Roof Deck 22 gauge prime painted ribbed steel deck

·        144 sf. 2' x 4' Class A non-combustible mineral fiberboard ceiling tiles

·       (1) 5000 BTU A/C 110 volt breaker box

Self-installation requires approximately 1 day for two men. It can be professionally installed within the US for $2007.00. (Mcgill and Company, 2001)

 

Power

 

A EU3000IS generator, or its equivalent powers the mobile room.  It is a quiet generator with the 3000-Watts needed for the 14 computers, lights, a television monitor, video player (DVD or VHS) and printer/copier/scanner/fax combo. The generator is only 135 lbs. and will operate almost 20 hours on less than 3.5 gallons of gasoline for $1,590.00. (Southwest Fastner, 2001)

 

Internet Access

 

Internet access is necessary for communication with potential employers, software updates, distance learning, research, and post office applications. Internet access is acquired via satellite if there is no local provider. No phone line or dial-up is needed with StarBand^TM satellite access.

Installation and Cost

• Model 360-satellite modem, 24” x 36” satellite dish, mounting parts and hardware. $599.99
• Professional Standard Installation by a Certified StarBand Installer $299.99
• Shipping and Handling $59.95
• StarBand Only $959.93

DISH^tm Network Satellite TV Package

• 150+ Television Channels
• Free Installation
• In-Home Service Plan
• Free First Month of Programming
• DISH Network Activation Fee: $49.99
• StarBand $959.93
• Total $1009.92

Monthly Satellite Internet Access Subscription Fee

• Option 1:(StarBand Service Only) Unlimited Internet $69.99 a month.
• Option 2: Unlimited Internet and 150 Channel Television Package $99.99 a month.

The one-year service commitment requires that the computers meet minimum system requirements and the line-of-sight requirements with the satellite. The prices do not include the local taxes and there are additional mileage charges relative to the remoteness of the location. To qualify for the DISH Network offer, the benefactor of the ESP Module must have a major credit card and must be a 1st time DISH Network customer (StarBand, 2001).

Local Area Network

The ESP Module is networked with a star topology to provide Internet and printer access to all the computers. Each computer must have an Ethernet card connected by an RJ45 jack to Level 5 cable. Network wiring will cost $ 9.50 X 15. All the cables from every computer connect to a hub near the teacher’s computer. The hub receives its data signal from the satellite dish. All the computers have access to the local area network (LAN) but the teacher’s computer is setup as the administrator and the student computers as users. In this way the teacher may use group permissions to control access to administrative tools and software (CODE Micro, 2001).

Network Connectivity Hardware

The SUPERSTACK 3 BASELINE HUB 24PORT [P/N 3COM - SWI 3C16441A-US] is available at codemicro.com for $223.55. It meets the performance demands of ESP module for reliability, expandability and ease-of-use. It is a higher capacity hub with 24, 10 Mbps Ethernet ports and a transceiver module port, which connects to a range of network backbones. This hub is not stackable and the power requirements are as follows:

Input voltage: 100?V, frequency: 50/60 Hz, Consumption: 34/44W (CODE Micro, 2001)

 

Computers

Laptops are suggested for computer application lessons. Desktop computers are used for hardware lessons. 14 inexpensive laptops can be purchased presently at the following price and configuration, (Notebookcomputer.com, 2001):

Safe

          A safe or strong box will need to be secured to the metal frame of the building. This will be necessary to contain the mail received for the community, all the software required for the computers and a digital camera. The SENTRY V120 anti-theft safe with key lock would have enough room for the few items that would require this level of security. It is item No. 429187 at Staples (2001).

Monitor

          A television monitor is attached to the wall near the teacher’s computer in plain view of all the students. The Monitor is attached to the teacher’s computer and to a video player so the students and staff may see the teacher and video demonstrations. Sanyo 36" Stereo TV  — AVM-3651G 2 A/V inputs with S-video; fixed/variable audio output; comb filter; MTS stereo sound and SAP capability; scan velocity modulation $649.99

 

Printer/Fax/Scanner/Copier

 

Graphics lessons, postal functions, and student reports will require a multifunction machine. Recently such machines have become affordable. The Brother MFC-7300 Color Multifunction Machine Unit # 441061 presently costs  $249.98. The specifications are as follows:

 

 

System Requirements:

Windows 95/98/NT/2000/ME or Mac OS.

 

Paper

 

If the location is very remote extra cases of paper may be practical on the first implementation of the ESP Module. Georgia-Pacific InkJet Paper can be purchased at Staples, (2001). The 20 lb., 90 brightness, 8 1/2" x 11" sheets are item No. 487108 and cost $18.49 for a 2500 page case.

 

Cabinets

 

        Above the computers and against the walls will be space for storage cabinets. If the selected building supplier does not have a cabinet option there is an excellent choice of office furniture at Office Depot, Staples, or Home Depot.

The walls have room for eight sets of Tennsco 4-compartment wall mount lockers. They come in sand color and item no. TNN106723 costs $175.56. Each set comes with 4 lockers and the compartments are 12”H x 12”W x 18”D. They also have a 48” coat rod for hanging garments underneath. Multiple rows of lockers can be grouped with standard nuts and bolts. (Staples, 2001)

 

Software

 

          The suggested software will be selected from the following list because skills in their use are commercially valuable and because a teacher is available to teach them: 

Translation

The curriculum must be translated from the software and hardware manuals rather than from outdated texts. Microsoft products will be an important part of the curriculum and their menus and fonts can be converted to the following languages with what is called “localized tools”. The following languages can be downloaded from Microsoft (2001). Arabic, Dutch, Italian, Russian, Basque, Finnish, Japanese, Slovak, Chinese (Pan), French, Korean, Slovenian, Chinese (Simplified), German, Norwegian, Spanish, Chinese (Traditional), Greek, Polish, Swedish, Croatian, Hebrew, Portuguese (Brazilian), Thai, Czech, Hindi, Portuguese (Iberian), Turkish, Danish, Hungarian, and Romanian. The localized tools may be downloaded at the following URL. http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/2000/appndx/toolbox_localized.htm

Curriculum and Pedagogy

        The suggested pedagogic approach is a combination of teacher demonstration with the aid of a highly visible monitor display and automated game-like skills practice for the younger students. Madeline Hunter’s (1979) lesson cycle is an instructional format that has been adopted by many educational researchers and public school districts. The Hunter cycle includes the following elements that allow learners a maximum of practice with an emphasis on teacher demonstration rather than lecture.

·        Preparation (Plan, practice the lesson and gather materials)

·        Catch the student’s attention.

·        Let the student know the purpose of the lesson.

·        Tell the steps of the lesson.

·        Check for understanding.

·        Demonstrate the lesson.

·        Check for understanding.

·        Allow the students to try the lesson.

·        Assess the student’s attempts as they work.

·        If the students are successful allow them to continue practicing.

·        If the students are not successful, start the lesson again adapting to the information learned by assessing the student’s attempts.

·        Evaluate and document the student’s work and reward success.

·        Review the steps of the lesson.

·        Relate the lesson to the lessons to come and to its application in the real world.

·        Clean up.

        Supplying Internet access to a remote population also provides an extraordinary number of instructional sources (Virtual.net.uy, 2001). However the web sources do not automatically stratify themselves into lessons that are appropriate for individual learners. Some of the profound qualities of computers are their tireless availability, adaptiveness, and organization qualities. Rather than separating the students into grade levels, it is suggested by the author of this proposal that the students take advantage of computerized criterion referenced teaching/ tests or a hierarchy of evaluative/instructional tasks.

There is little need for isolated tests except when instructing the student in test taking strategy. Instead, the student will be evaluated as he or she participates in instructional tasks and then will be supplied with subsequent appropriately challenging tasks. (Buros Institute, 2001).

 

Security

       

        Any community who wishes to receive one or more of the ESP Modules will need to have a commitment signed by a representative cross section of the community to protect the equipment, (Appendix A). Such a document would have little legal value in a truly remote location but it would serve to instill psychological responsibility in the recipients.

All peripherals, computers and portable toilets will be attached with cables to the metal frame of the building. The DEFCON CL Notebook Cable Lock is 6.5 ft. of galvanized steel with a security base plate. It costs $ 29.99 at Computers 4 Sure.com (2001).

           

Self-destructive vandalism and jealousy driven conflicts will be addressed with a research of the local folklore and cultural norms.  Impression management techniques will precede and accompany the implementation of the modules into any location.  Many conflicts can be resolved with proliferated local equivalents of stories like the “goose that laid the golden eggs” and the “grasshopper and the ant”. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (2001) has valuable information to assist individuals preparing for relocation to another culture. Their research can be accessed at the following URL: http://www.unesco.org/culture/links/.

Participants such as teachers, equipment installers and evaluators can prepare for the trip by reading the travel warnings web page provided by the (U. S. Department of State, 2001) at the following URL: http://travel.state.gov/travel_warnings.html.

 

Postal Service

 

Online postage is trademarked as PC Postage by the Postal Service. It is based on the concept of electronic stamps that look like bar codes. PC Postage allows you to buy your postage online from companies authorized by the Postal Service and print it directly on to your own labels and envelopes. All you need is software from the Postal Service, and in some cases, a software/hardware combination from the third-party postage company (Kaukab Jhumra, 2000).

Pitney Bowes Personal Post Meter Kit is Item No. 836270 at Staples Office Supply (2001) for $49.99.

Individuals can calculate the postage for most items with the Internet tools supplied by the United States Postal Service web site. (U.S. Post Office, 2001) http://www.usps.com/.  Internet postage can also be accessed at http://Stamps.com/.

 

Evaluation

 

The expansion or removal of ESP Modules will be based on evaluations of student progress.  The author of this proposal has experience with computer-based instruction and has found that the students always want more. In a situation where there are only thirteen student positions the competition will be great in a larger population. For this reason the student/staff selection process will have to be an important part of the information, which precedes the installation of a Module.

 

The following standardized test is just one of the tests which may be used to stratify the population into study groups and potential employees.

Title: Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test.

Author: Kaufman, Alan S. Kaufman, Nadeen L.

Abstract: Brief individually administered measure of verbal and nonverbal intelligence for people aged 4-90. Developed specifically for screening purposes and for those situations where it would be difficult to do a more in-depth assessment. Norms are provided for all ages. Composed of two subtests, vocabulary and matrices. Vocabulary measures verbal, school-related skills by assessing word knowledge and verbal concept formation. Matrices measure nonverbal skills and ability to solve new problems. Items in matrices subtest involve pictures and designs. (Buros Institute, 2001)

Test Acronyms: KBIT

General Notes: TIME: 30; approx. ITEMS: 130.

Publication Date: 1990

ETS Tracking Number: TC017189

 

Toilet

 

            Waterless toilet facilities assist in bringing the educational modules to areas without plumbing. The Envirolet™ waterless remote toilet specifications are as follows.

The size of the waterless toilet is 16.5" in width x 22.5" in length/depth x 20.5" in height (Height to toilet seat 15").  The *toilet capacity as noted in the chart suggests a person per day rating is based on three uses per person per day. All Systems will handle occasional additional use.

Toilet Drains on all non-electric, 12v Battery and 12v/110v hybrid systems are fitted with a special filter drain that must gravity feed to a proper drain site. Instructions for a drain site are given at the following URL. http://www.envirolet.com/drainpit.html It is recommended to keep the vent completely vertical.

Figure 3

Image from http://www.envirolet.com/enwatremsys2.html

 

Toilet Power Sources and Pricing

A sign must be placed on the door of the toilets to state the maximum number of uses per day. (Envirolet™ ,2001)