Managing your ICT

Technical support

Whether a school takes responsibility for its own network management or contracts it out, adequate on-site(s) technical support will of course be necessary. Front line support for users may be provided through a Help Desk or Service Desk. Becta offer advice on this provision.

External connectivity

Potential impacts on your school's external connectivity need to be anticipated. Broadband is an absolute necessity — but the basic secondary school level of 2Mbps (2 Megabits per second) may not be adequate if the numbers using it at any one time increase significantly, especially as demands on the connection are increased by the use of online multi-media learning materials (as a general guideline, a 2Mbps connection would be adequate for approximately 30 concurrent users). One possible solution to this problem would be to use caching, in the form of content delivery networks, which would alleviate some of the bandwidth/capacity requirements.

However, an advantage of scaling up your ICT learning provision is that, given a wider spread of time over which your connection is in use, you may find that your broadband connection is far more cost-effective.

Other issues to consider when addressing external connectivity include:

How much access is required? eg do you require access to the server or to workstations?
What type of access? eg data, email or other applications
Cost — expect to pay more for enhanced functionality and security
Technical staff and training
What type of connection remote users have — dial up or broadband
Security concerns — need for passwords, encryption, and firewalls

Linking to out-centres (eg other schools, libraries, museums etc.) may be possible over the Internet initially or through your regional broadband consortium, but a dedicated connection to your out-centres will effectively include them in your local network, simplifying many aspects such as web filtering, intranet provision and shared applications (and possibly also software licences).

Leeds Learning Network offers over 400 educational sites that have been linked as part of a local broadband initiative via a managed service that includes schools, libraries, the local authority, museums, and colleges.

Alternative connection methods for places where broadband is not available include the mobile phone systems 3G/GPRS/GSM — in descending order of speed and therefore effectiveness. 3G or even GPRS might be worth considering if the connection is to, for example, a community out-centre where true broadband is not available, but this is likely to incur high costs, and so schools should 'shop around' for the best subsidised tariff available. Wireless wide area networking is seeing a considerable expansion now which will may go some way to help solve Internet connection problems in many areas.

Supporting equipment in remote sites

If equipment is used and stored off site, extra complexities will inevitably be introduced. Clear local management (authorised issuers, key holders etc) and storage routines will need to be established as well as arrangements for regular servicing and maintenance, including access for maintenance personnel at suitable times. Provision of help desk services from these sites will need to be considered, especially if they are to operate outside the normal working day.