The National Broadband Network (NBN) is set to bring new opportunities for regional Australia but making the most of the technology will be a challenge according to experts from Charles Sturt University (CSU).

 

The Federal Government has announced a three-year timeline for the first stage of the NBN rollout which will give a third of all Australian homes and businesses access to the high speed broadband network by 2015.

 

Education will be one of the key areas to benefit from the NBN rollout according to Mr Ken Eustace from CSU’s School of Computing and Mathematics.

 

“High speed broadband will revolutionise how lessons are delivered in schools, giving educators the ability to integrate high-quality videos and audio in a manner which students will be able to easily access,” he said.

 

On the issue of access to the NBN, Mr Eustace believes the gaps left by the NBN rollout may be filled by other broadband companies and new options such as Telstra’s 4G rollout.

 

As a key provider of distance education, CSU is working to make the most of the opportunities presented by the NBN.

 

Director of Operations with the Division of Information Technology Mr Philip Roy said there is a real benefit for CSU students and researchers in having access to high speed broadband services.

 

“Students who can access the NBN will have greater opportunity to engage with academic staff and peers through facilities like interactive video conferencing, along with increased access to content and study materials,” he said. “It will also facilitate the use of emerging teaching technology, such as simulation, role play and game based learning regardless of a student’s geographic location.”

 

But Mr Roy said CSU has students from across the country and until the 10 year NBN rollout is complete, some will be connected and others will not.

 

“The challenge for Charles Sturt University is to ensure we take up the opportunities available through the NBN rollout, without disadvantaging those who will receive access later on,” he said.

 

Associate Professor with CSU’s School of Education, Dr Barney Dalgarno said one of the key opportunities provided by the NBN will be in the area of synchronous connections between students, the University and sites of professional practice.

 

Dr Dalgarno said a range of technologies such as video and web conferencing, virtual worlds and combinations of these tools will be possible with access to high speed broadband.

 

“The blending of face-to-face interaction with remote interaction is particularly important because it allows for students who are connected to the NBN to choose not to attend campus based learning opportunities while others can still attend by visiting the campus.”

 

Dr Dalgarno is co-leading a national project which aims to identify and evaluate technology-enhanced ways of bringing together on campus and geographically dispersed students.

 

He said the new Connected Learning Spaces at CSU in Wagga Wagga and Bathurst will also be places from where university classes will be able to connect to schools within the region to observe demonstration lessons, discuss teaching strategies with teachers, and also practice remote teaching with groups of school students.

 

“There is strong interest from Riverina and Western Region Department of Education and Community staff in collaborations in this area,” he said. “The quality and fidelity of these connections will be substantially enhanced through the NBN.”