gap analysis report - pools - producing open online learning systems

78% of the respondents confirmed that their computer platforms are organized,
installed and configured in room-based local networks. According to the information
provided by the administrators of the IT-Based Educational System (SEI) „vocational
schools servers are connected to the schools’ inspectorate server in each district (see
Annex 6). The laboratories (local solutions) are integrated into a logical network
comprising all the schools in a region. All Romanian regions are integrated into a
national network connected to and coordinated by the SEI management unit. In the
exchange of information between educational institutions, IT is primarily used to
support the administration, but most importantly to support the teaching and learning
activities”. (see annex)
1.8.
Are the workstations connected to an
external network (INTERNET) ?
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
8
Yes
Yes No Don't know
Series1 84% 14% 2%
No
Series1
Don’t know
The fact that 84% of the vocational high-schools are connected to the
INTERNET is, first of all, the result of the special interest the Ministry has in ensuring a
quick and effective exchange of information with the educational institutions all over
the country. According to the Ministry of Education and Research, in 2001, access to
Internet resources was limited (1 computer connected to the Internet per 100 pupils in
secondary schools, and 3.5 in high schools). Within SEI, schools were connected to the
Internet as part of administrative projects, aiming also to re-use the technology for
educational purposes. All computer platforms are delivered with facilities for Internet
connection – modem, router.
Although the situation seems quite positive, 14% of the questioned vocational
high schools do not have a permanent connection to the INTERNET. This may is due to
the local technical conditions: lack of permanent access to the public digital telephone
services or lack of allocated founds for this purpose. 2% of the respondents don’t know
if they are connected to the INTERNET.
An example of a project that included massive connections of schools to the
INTERNET was the Baccalaureate in 2004. On this occasion, 600 examination centres
were connected, allowing for automatic reporting of data and monitoring of the
examination. Some of them also received the examination questions over secured
connections. Although the national network was used then for administrative purposes,
Baccalaureate 2004 proved the operationality of the system and the fact that from that
moment on it can be used for educational purposes as well.