It's pedal to the metal for students of Socorro Consolidated Schools, who now have a better, faster Internet connection.

Over the holiday break, Technology Director Vernon Smith completed installation of DS3 Internet technology, which increased bandwidth from 3 megabits per second to 45 mbps.

"It will definitely be noticeable," said Smith. "The students should have considerably better connectivity."

Previously the school district used two blended T1 lines, which would be more than fast enough for the ordinary household or small business. Schools, however, have hundreds of users on the same network sharing the same Internet connection. All six schools in the district are connected through the Central Office.

"Think of it like a bottleneck, or a funnel," said Smith. "All that information comes in through one place. What DS3 does is broaden the funnel."

In fact, DS3 is about the equivalent of having 28 T1 lines. Typically, DS3 lines are installed in large corporations and universities. New Mexico Tech has DS3.

Getting Linked

"It was a challenge for Qwest to get it to us," said Smith. "We've been trying to get it installed since last June."

First, Qwest had to run the necessary fiber optics to their building by the Socorro Post Office, and then run a conduit to the Torres campus in order to hook into the school district's network. From there, a router takes the service the rest of the way to the district's Central Office on Franklin Street.

"Tech's DS3 comes in on a different pipeline," said Smith. "It's not something the school district has access to."

Smith has been working on increasing internet and network speeds for more than a year. Thanks to his efforts, the school district was awarded $1.15 million in federal funding for the DS3 project from the Universal Service Administrative Company last June.

"If you look on your phone bill under taxes, fees and surcharges for local and long distance service, you'll see a little line that says Federal Universal Service Fund," said Smith. "That's where that money comes from." The funding, commonly referred to as E-Rate funding, is awarded at two levels. All applicants can receive Priority One funding. Priority Two funding is apportioned based on level of poverty, as measured by participation in the free and reduced lunch program.

"That's why it's so important for parents to fill out the form for the lunch program," said Smith. "The high school, where we need the most technology, is the one place where we have the least funding, because not enough parents fill out the form."

Digital Media Plans

Vernon Smith has a master's degree, with dual certification in Elementary Education and Information Technology for grades K-12, and he teaches a class in digital media at the high school. Smith's philosophy is that if you can give students more access to technology, you can level the playing field. He's working on getting a wider distribution of computers to students, and he wants to get wireless access into every classroom in the high school.

Another item on his wish list is a multi-use lab with radio and television production equipment where students can explore all different types of applications. With a good media lab he envisions working with Western New Mexico University to give Socorro students the opportunity to graduate from high school with an Associates Degree in Digital Media.

"I see a lot of people taking this funding and throwing it at the teachers," he said. "My philosophy is, let's put the kids behind the wheel and let them drive the car."

Teachers Included

Teachers needn't worry that they will be left standing by the side of the road. Hi-tech tools are already in place for teachers who want to take advantage of them.

Sarracino Middle School has remote responders, also known as clickers, which have multiple applications in the classroom.

Teachers can use free downloadable software to develop quizzes and surveys, and the students can respond using their clickers, much like the audiences on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and other television quiz shows.

Video conferencing is available, which allows teachers to take their students on virtual tours of museums and monuments, and to interact with classrooms in other cities around the country. For example, using video conferencing, kindergarten students at Parkview Elementary will soon be talking to kindergarten students at schools in Ohio and New York, asking each other questions and having a little "Show and Tell."

Smith has also made it possible for each teacher to have a Web site, although he admits not all teachers are making full use of this opportunity.

Technical Literacy

By 2012, technological literacy will be included in the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests for fourth, eighth and 12th grades. How technological literacy will be measured is not yet clear. The National Educational Technology Standards, developed by the International Society for Technology in Education, include using digital tools and media for communication, collaboration, research, problem solving and decisionmaking. NETS also includes a category for digital citizenship, which involves practising safe and responsible use of information technology.

Safe and responsible use of technology is something Smith is highly committed to. The students may be driving the car, but, if need be, Smith can step on the brake and take control of the wheel.

One condition of E-Rate funding is that the school district must comply with provisions of the Children's Internet Protection Act. The act stipulates that there must be a "technology protection measure" or filter to block access to any content considered harmful to minors. The prophylactic used by Socorro Consolidated Schools is a program called Total Traffic Control.

Total Traffic Control blocks access to sites like Facebook and YouTube, and allows the Technology Department to identify users who are streaming audio and video through their computer. Another resource Smith can use is a program called Vision, which can allow his staff to look at what is displayed on any monitor in a classroom.

Making It Safe

While some people might object that this amounts to censorship or an invasion of privacy, Smith doesn't see it that way.

"When you allow Facebook, you're allowing all Facebook pages and applications, some of which aren't safe," he said.

"If I can't make it safe, I can't allow it."

Smith's responsibilities may include preventing access to student information by data mining applications, and a legal obligation to comply with CIPA, but he's also fiercely protective of the equipment and the network. Plugging a personal computer into the school network can introduce a virus, and he won't allow it. He has no tolerance for entertainment-only use of the internet on school computers because he sees it as a theft of valuable resources.

Smith is willing, however, to consider unblocking blocked audio and video content on a case by case basis, and he's not against streaming audio and video on principal. He just doesn't want the kids to get distracted. He wants them on the fast track to success.

Contact Suzanne Barteau