Hi

I'd have thought that the difference between broadband and 'standard' 
access is essentially one of download speed - not access times.  There 
are plenty of packages offering relatively low cost 24 hour access, so 
it's difficult to see how students working from home would be 
disadvantaged in that respect.

I've tried to think of situations where download speed would be an 
important 'student support' factor - as opposed to a convenience one. 
Are there any situations where students need to download large files 
(multiple images/programmes, etc) in order to function effectively at 
Uni?

Having said all that, I referred to 'standard' access above.  In areas 
where broadband is available (it's not yet universally available), it is 
likely to be regarded as 'standard' access before too long.  It's 
unfortunate that it's still more expensive than dial up access - but the 
gap is closing.  I wonder whether broadband should now be treated as 
'standard' for DSA purposes - simply because within the lifetime of a 
new student's course, it will probably become the norm.

I'm still not sure about the issue though.

Cheers

Peter Hill

---------------------------


Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm wrote:

> That argument doesn't quite hold water. Just because the systems are   
> online 24hrs/day doesn't mean that each individual student can access it   
> 24hrs/day. In fact one of the main justifications for providing internet   
> access is the limited access available on the university's computers. A   
> student who is able to access the internet at any time from their own PC   
> already has a significant advantage over one who has to book an hour here   
> and there on the university's PCs.
> 
> As for the question of connections timing out, there are several freeware   
> programs that address this problem by pinging the server at regular   
> intervals to keep the connection alive.
> 
> St.John Skeates
> Awards Section
> Bedfordshire County Council
> Direct Line 01234 316300
> 
> 
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: Sandie Cusack [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 10:56 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]; Skeates,St.John DEAL Awards Tm
> Subject: Re: Broadband services
> 
> 
>    
> 
> Hi,
> At Bristol we have had this discussion recently and agreed
> amongst ourselves that it is a question of equal access.
> Students who use the university's computer rooms access a
> service that is switched on 24 hours a day. Therefore any
> student who is working from home would be at a disadvantage
> compared to their peers by working via a standard internet
> connection. I haven't yet had this argument turned down by
> an LEA (and I have made the case for several).
> 
> Sandie Cusack
> 
> On Tue, 8 Oct 2002 09:58:05 +0100 Steve
> Clayton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> 
>>Dear All,
>>
>>We are coming under increasing pressure from students to
>>fund Broadband internet services for students under their
>>DSA since BT's rather expensive advertising campaign. Would
>>anyone have any views on when Broadband would be more
>>appropriate for students than standard internet sevices?
>>
>>At a cost of ú25 a month it's significantly more costly and
>>at the moment we are not approving these costs if standard
>>services meet the student's needs.
>>
>>Any coments?
>>
>>regards
>>
>>___________________________________________
>>Steve Clayton
>>Manager, DSAs planning and resources
>>Disabled Student Services Section
>>The Open University
>>Tel: ++44 (01908 858937) Fax (01908 659044)
>>
>>
> 
>  ---------------------
> University of Bristol
> Access Unit for Deaf
> and Disabled Students
> 4th Floor, Union Building
> Queen's Road, Clifton
> Bristol, BS8 1LN
> 
> Tel: 0117 954 5771
> Fax: 0117 923 8546
> Minicom: 0117 954 5728
> 
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