Satellite provides education in remote areas
The 'Trapeze' project, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), which uses satellite technology to link travelling children with teachers, has helped bring the Information society a step nearer and could be extended, as it approaches an evaluation of its effects. The project was initiated in November 1999 by a consortium including EFECOT and @iT in Belgium, and Telespazio in Italy involves the use of a simple portable receiver dish and computer to link children with teachers in a 'virtual' learning environment. Areas of particular interest include remote locations where connecting to the internet is difficult, or where teachers are forced to travel between pupils' homes, wasting both time and money. The project is due for evaluation in the next few months. 'As far as we are concerned, the results have shown it to be an overwhelming success' says @iT spokesperson Mathy Vanbuel. 'In fact, the response from teachers, pupils and parents alike has been quite unbelievable.' The scheme has attracted international interest, with the UK's department for education and employment looking at implementing the Trapeze project on a wider scale. Negotiations are also underway in the Netherlands to implement the scheme. A small pilot trial is due to be undertaken in Germany, Ireland and Spain, and Poland has also expressed an interest. 'Realistically, this technology is one of the only commercially viable ways of reaching pupils in this type of environment. And with a new European directive advocating that every school should be connected to the internet by the end of 2001, this technology is extremely relevant and timely, says Mr Vanbuel. Possible developments of the scheme could include wider applications such as teleworking, teletourism and telemedicine, many of which are currently under preliminary discussion with remote island communities in Ireland and Scotland.