Povezovanje vsebin v izobraževalnih omrežjih

Linking content in educational networks

Marko Bonač, direktor Arnesa

Predstavitev

Povzetek
Namen nacionalnih raziskovalnih in izobraževalnih omrežij (NREN), kakršno je ARNES, ni le v mednarodnem povezovanju vrhunske raziskovalne infrastrukture. Med drugim želimo doseči, da bi bila ta visoko tehnološka in razmeroma draga omrežna infrastruktura s svojimi naprednimi storitvami čimbolj dostopna za potrebe izobraževanja. Hitro naraščanje zmogljivosti izobraževalnih in raziskovalnih omrežij ter razvoj storitev, ki presegajo državne meje, skupaj z večjo dostopnostjo širokopasovnih povezav dajejo nov zagon ciljem Evropske komisije po enotnejšem in kakovostnem medsebojnem povezovanju vseh nivojev izobraževalnih in raziskovalnih institucij. Z visoko razvitimi omrežnimi storitvami, usmeritvijo k spodbujanju uporabe IKT v izobraževanju in razvito mrežo mednarodnega sodelovanja in razvoja lahko omrežja NREN šolam ponudijo dodatno dimenzijo kakovosti v uporabi internetnih storitev.

V zadnjih letih se je fokus storitev za šolsko sfero usmeril predvsem na podporo omrežnemu sodelovanju in kakovostnim vsebinam ter inovativnim uporabam tehnologije. Nacionalna raziskovalna in izobraževalna omrežja tako med seboj povezujejo šole, raziskovalne ustanove in muzeje oz. druge ponudnike izobraževalnih vsebin in jim na nivoju storitev nudijo podporo pri vzpostavljanju oddaljene prisotnosti. V Sloveniji obstaja za takšno sodelovanje dobra podlaga, saj se poleg šol v omrežje ARNES neposredno vključujejo tudi knjižnice in muzeji.

V leto 2008 tako Arnes ne vstopa le s prenovljeno hrbtenico omrežja, ki bo tudi mnogim šolam z optičnimi povezavami približala omrežje GÉANT2. Vključujemo se tudi v široko zastavljene skupne napore razvoja novih storitev v izobraževalnem omrežju – nekatere od njih, npr. vsem dostopne spletne video konference, bodo predstavljene že na SIRIKT 2008. Pri tem pa je pomembno vodilo tudi varna uporaba teh storitev, vedno pogostejša tema naših druženj.

Abstract
The purpose of national research and educational networks (NREN's), such as ARNES is, lies not only in the international linking of top-notch research infrastructure. We want to make this highly technological and relatively expensive network infrastructure, with all of its advanced services, as accessible as possible for the purposes of education. Fast growing efficiency of educational and research networks and cross-border services, together with better access to high bandwidth networks, give new impulsion to the European Commission's goals towards more unified and quality mutual interaction on all levels of educational and research institutions. With highly developed network services, direction and stimulation of ICT usage in the educational process and building a network of international cooperation and development, NREN networks can offer schools an additional dimension of quality in Internet usage.

In the last few years, services for schools focused primarily on network support cooperation, quality content and innovative usage of technology. National research and educational networks link together schools, research institutions, museums or other providers of educational services. They offer them support in establishing a distance presence. In Slovenia there are good opportunities for this, because not only schools, but also libraries and museums are connected to the ARNES network.

Arnes is entering 2008 with modernized backbone, which will bring GEANT2 closer to many schools with optical connections. We are also joining efforts of developing new services in the educational network - some of them, like Web-conferences will be presented at SIRIKT 2008. It is also important to mention the importance of safety when using these services. This issue has been more and more frequently discussed at our meetings.