A wide-angle look at ICT Infrastructure, Evolving Technologies and Planning
As learning needs evolve, ICT infrastructure must also respond to the new challenges. In order to plan ICT Infrastructure effectively one needs to understand some of the key technology changes and how they inter-relate. These include areas such as broadband, fixed and wireless school networks, servers, cloud computing services, VLEs (eg. Moodle), Admin Systems (eg. ePortal), virtualisation, open source solutions, as well as ever evolving 'access' devices such as desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablets and smartphones.
We'll discuss inter-related questions including:
- What's happening with the Schools Broadband and 100Mbps programs?
- What kind of fixed & wireless network do we need to support learning in the next 10 years?
- Can I leverage cloud computing to make life simpler, and if so how?
- Do I still need a school server or can the cloud meet my needs?
- Should students be allowed to bring their own devices to school, and if so what issues arise?
Tom is the National Coordinator for Technology Integration in NCTE, and has been working with schools for the past 9 years. He has a degree in Electronic Engineering (UL, 1982) and prior to NCTE worked for almost 20 years with a number of telecoms, software and service providers in Ireland, UK and Canada. Toms responsibilities include supporting schools across a wide range of technology areas including ICT advice & procurement, Schools Broadband, including 100Mbps, Webhosting-Blogging, and Learning platforms/VLEs. He is currently completing a Masters in e-Learning in DCU.