I have just come back from Woomera where I was guest speaker at the Isolated Children's and Parents Association State Conference. Prior to my presentation there was discussion about Internet access to rural families.
I was shocked that in 2009 these families are faced with a second rate education (IMHO). This is not from their educational offerings from Open Access College (DECS SA) but poor Internet access. OAC operates learning which is media rich and requires internet use...therein lies the problem.
The Internet access these families in remote and rural areas is inconsistent...up or down like a yo-yo....unreliable...and what would be frustrating all round for the student, teacher and family. The other issue is expense..... one family at the conference commented that the costs for her 3 children are $180 per month ...with a $60 DECS rebate.
Dare I mention the problems faced with getting the information through Centra.
I feel our rural and remote families need to be heard...... and by the way there is no guarantee the new Telstra network will be any better for the isolated.
I know my suburb in Adelaide was one of the last to get broadband and wireless broadband is not reliable here either...... but what out 'country cousins' are facing is educational neglect.
I'll get off my soapbox now.
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