Technical Requirements

Technical Attributes of the Shared Experience Model

One of the most important premises of the model is the simplicity of the technical attributes. All it requires is a website with information and a blog. Blog, or web-log is a kind of on-line journal where the owner can post words, photos and graphics, video and audio content. Users may post comments back to the owner. There are many free services that allow users to create blogs on the web. The most important characteristic to look for is the blog should be customizable. In other words, the owner can control the look and feel of the blog. The system should also allow the user to create safeguards so that unwanted or inappropriate comments do not wind up posted for all others to see. Blogs have the advantage of being free, time tested (many blogging sites have been around for years, now), and they are simple to operate for both the user and the owner. Because the systems are web based, there is no software to install for the owner or the user, and blogs can we edited and/or accessed from any computer with an internet connection. Many blog sites offer ways to post to a blog using a cell phone. Many people travel with a laptop today and post their journals to a blog for others to see. Often, people traveling with backpacks full of electronics call this method of travel flashpacking.

For the Teacher At Sea Example, we used the free site called www.blogger.com. It allowed us to control the background and layout of each page. It also allowed us to moderate the blog, which means that no comments were posted until they were approved by us. Blogger, which is owned by Google, did go down a few times during the trip, but not for very long.

Lets take a moment to consider the technical requirements for the participating teacher and for general uses.

Technical Requirements for the Participating Teacher:

The participating teacher should have some basic knowledge of both computers and website creation. Problems do arise from time to time, especially in remote areas, and it is important to be able to be somewhat self reliant when that occurs. The basic needs are as follows:

A method of reaching the internet. Here are a few that work in far-away places:

Internet Café or Library – Many places around the world offer low cost or even free access to the internet.

Cell phone modem – If you are in an area with cell phone service, many cell phones can connect with a computer using a blue-tooth modem and offer dial-up level connections.

Satellite phone: For areas without cell phone service, you may wind up with the more costly, but always-available satellite phone service. These phones communicate, not with a cell phone tower, but directly with a satellite. They can often connect via cable with a laptop computer.

Access to a Network or to a Networked Computer: If you can get access to someone’s network, this is the way to go. Many hotels and even NOAA Ships offer wireless connections for guests. For the Teacher At Sea project, NOAA Ship MILLER FREEMAN has a wireless network with a 24/7 satellite connection that was significantly faster than a dial-up. It was impressive to be in the middle of the Bering Sea and have full internet access.

Computer: Though you can blog these days right from most cell phones, it is important not to skip the computer. You will need it to store and process photos, videos and audio files as well as to take advantage of high speed internet connections when you can find them.

Digital Camera: This is a must-have. For involved projects, look for high resolution cameras with a good optical zoom. The camera should also shoot video. A photo editor as well as a good familiarity with Windows Movie Maker is a must. I found a portable USB card reader was a great option for moving photos from my camera to whatever computer I had access to. It was simpler than hoping the computer had a driver for my camera.

Audio Recording Equipment: A laptop or camera that can record audio will allow the participating teacher to record interviews and voice-overs for video clips. I found the free software called wavepad to be an excellent way to edit clips I recorded. With some practice, I could edit out coughs and false starts with ease.

Power: Take adaptors, chargers and any other devices you need to make your equipment function wherever you are. In very remote areas, solar panels are the only option.

Technical Requirements for General Users:

A computer with access to the internet. The internet is now available in 98% of all US schools. The internet is now available in over 70% of US homes. Many libraries offer free access to the internet for those who do not have access at home. Though access is still far from universal, it is the most wildly available distance learning technology in the world.

	Internet Café or Library – Many places around the world offer low cost or even free access to the internet.
	Cell phone modem – If you are in an area with cell phone service, many cell phones can connect with a computer using a blue-tooth modem and offer dial-up level connections.
	Satellite phone: For areas without cell phone service, you may wind up with the more costly, but always-available satellite phone service. These phones communicate, not with a cell phone tower, but directly with a satellite. They can often connect via cable with a laptop computer.
	Access to a Network or to a Networked Computer: If you can get access to someone’s network, this is the way to go. Many hotels and even NOAA Ships offer wireless connections for guests. For the Teacher At Sea project, NOAA Ship MILLER FREEMAN has a wireless network with a 24/7 satellite connection that was significantly faster than a dial-up. It was impressive to be in the middle of the Bering Sea and have full internet access.