SURFING THE NET

Internet to the Outback

by GEORGE MURDOCH

What does the Internet mean to remote dwellers?
The Internet is a worldwide computer-based network that operates through existing national and international telephone communication systems.
It allows individuals to communicate with other individuals or groups through their home computers or to gain worldwide access to huge and rapidly expanding sources of electronically stored information on every imaginable topic. Text, colour pictures, sound and even moving pictures can be transmitted.
The technology means that, for the first time in history, people living vast distances from major centres of population have access to information resources directly comparable to that of their city cousins. By taking advantage of competitive after 7pm rates offered by different telephone companies, communication costs in using the Internet can be kept quite low.
Connection to the Internet presents many opportunities for all the family. Electronic mail (or e-mail) opens new vistas for social contact across the home district, the region and the world - all at a fraction of the cost of a telephone call. Use of E-mail also allows people living in remote areas to study accredited courses with universities and TAFE colleges.

What is 'Internet to the Outback'?
'Internet to the Outback' is a project which seeks to encourage and support the use of computer based information and communications systems in distance education, particularly through existing Schools of Distance Education.
The project will train volunteers in the use of the Internet as a medium in education and, more generally, as a source of information. These volunteers will then travel to stay with outback families in their own homes, working for up to a week with children and parents in learning to make best use of the system.
The first group of volunteers has completed its initial training and some of these are already in the field with the Alice Springs School of Distance Education.
Volunteers for Isolated Students' Education (VISE) is coordinating the program.
What is 'Volunteers for Isolated Students' Education' (VISE)?
VISE was established eight years ago by a small group of retired teachers to support isolated outback families involved with distance education. Parents living in remote situations always worry that they are not providing the right kind of help and guidance in supporting their children's education - and there's no one around to give them any feedback or guidance on how they are filling their role.
VISE covers the volunteer's costs to and from a geographic cluster of outback families while the families themselves are expected to provide board and lodging and meet the volunteer's travel costs to the next family within the cluster.
Volunteers for 'Internet to the Outback' are a specially selected, new group trained for the specific task of introducing or guiding families in using of Internet technology in their distance education programs. The 'Internet to the Outback' volunteer program is an addition to the normal and continuing VISE support program for isolated families.

Who is eligible to have 'Internet to the Outback' Volunteers visit their home?
All families with children being educated through Schools of Distance Education are eligible to receive visits from VISE volunteers from the 'Internet to the Outback' program. To make the visits economically viable, clusters of six families need to be organised - and we do understand that 'next door' in the outback can be over the horizon! Participating families will also need the minimum computer equipment and connection listed earlier.

Who's paying for 'Internet to the Outback'?
'Internet to the Outback' is part-funded through the federal governmentís 'Networking the Nation' program - a $250 million initiative designed to give everyone, living anywhere in Australia, access to the Internet at the end of a five year period. Substantial contribution has also come from the Hyundai National Country Music Muster, held annually at Gympie. The Gympie Muster is the principal sponsor of the mainstream VISE program.
The University of Ballarat is supporting the 'Internet to the Outback' program through the provision of training for the volunteers and technical support and advice, including visits during March to Schools of Distance Education in four states by a senior University technician.
If you would like to know more about either 'Internet to the Outback' please contact:
George Murdoch, 31 Rebecca Crescent
ALTONA MEADOWS
3028 03 9369 6709 or 018 896 156 (Mar 1-Mar 20)
mail to:gmurdock@tpgi.com.au

Internet to the Outback by GEORGE MURDOCH What does the Internet mean to remote dwellers? The Internet is a worldwide computer-based network that operates through existing national and international telephone communication systems. It allows individuals to communicate with other individuals or groups through their home computers or to gain worldwide access to huge and rapidly expanding sources of electronically stored information on every imaginable topic. Text, colour pictures, sound and even moving pictures can be transmitted. The technology means that, for the first time in history, people living vast distances from major centres of population have access to information resources directly comparable to that of their city cousins. By taking advantage of competitive after 7pm rates offered by different telephone companies, communication costs in using the Internet can be kept quite low. Connection to the Internet presents many opportunities for all the family. Electronic mail (or e-mail) opens new vistas for social contact across the home district, the region and the world - all at a fraction of the cost of a telephone call. Use of E-mail also allows people living in remote areas to study accredited courses with universities and TAFE colleges. What is 'Internet to the Outback'? 'Internet to the Outback' is a project which seeks to encourage and support the use of computer based information and communications systems in distance education, particularly through existing Schools of Distance Education. The project will train volunteers in the use of the Internet as a medium in education and, more generally, as a source of information. These volunteers will then travel to stay with outback families in their own homes, working for up to a week with children and parents in learning to make best use of the system. The first group of volunteers has completed its initial training and some of these are already in the field with the Alice Springs School of Distance Education. Volunteers for Isolated Students' Education (VISE) is coordinating the program. What is 'Volunteers for Isolated Students' Education' (VISE)? VISE was established eight years ago by a small group of retired teachers to support isolated outback families involved with distance education. Parents living in remote situations always worry that they are not providing the right kind of help and guidance in supporting their children's education - and there's no one around to give them any feedback or guidance on how they are filling their role. VISE covers the volunteer's costs to and from a geographic cluster of outback families while the families themselves are expected to provide board and lodging and meet the volunteer's travel costs to the next family within the cluster. Volunteers for 'Internet to the Outback' are a specially selected, new group trained for the specific task of introducing or guiding families in using of Internet technology in their distance education programs. The 'Internet to the Outback' volunteer program is an addition to the normal and continuing VISE support program for isolated families. Who is eligible to have 'Internet to the Outback' Volunteers visit their home? All families with children being educated through Schools of Distance Education are eligible to receive visits from VISE volunteers from the 'Internet to the Outback' program. To make the visits economically viable, clusters of six families need to be organised - and we do understand that 'next door' in the outback can be over the horizon! Participating families will also need the minimum computer equipment and connection listed earlier. Who's paying for 'Internet to the Outback'? 'Internet to the Outback' is part-funded through the federal governmentís 'Networking the Nation' program - a $250 million initiative designed to give everyone, living anywhere in Australia, access to the Internet at the end of a five year period. Substantial contribution has also come from the Hyundai National Country Music Muster, held annually at Gympie. The Gympie Muster is the principal sponsor of the mainstream VISE program. The University of Ballarat is supporting the 'Internet to the Outback' program through the provision of training for the volunteers and technical support and advice, including visits during March to Schools of Distance Education in four states by a senior University technician. If you would like to know more about either 'Internet to the Outback' please contact: George Murdoch, 31 Rebecca Crescent ALTONA MEADOWS 3028 03 9369 6709 or 018 896 156 (Mar 1-Mar 20) mail to:gmurdock@tpgi.com.au