Accessible
Technology
THRO offers several low tech options
to help bridge the digital divide between Internet2 universities and poorly
equipped schools that have not yet logged on to the first generation internet.
- When computers are unavailable, hardcopy
versions of each case problem, study guide, and teaching note can be made
and distributed for student use.
- Students with computers but no internet
access can use a Teaching Human Rights Disk in machines equipped with a
CD drive. The teaching disk has three interactive exercises as well as Spanish
and French versions of the Just War problem. (contact
us)
- Individuals with internet access can
download free web browsers such as Netscape Communicator and Internet Explorer.
No additional software or high speed connections are required for completing
THRO cases. The problems do not require any audio or video streaming. When
multi-media options are provided, students can review the same material
in electronic text.
- The project encourages asynchronous
communication between faculty and students from around the world–email
exchange and "threaded discussion" by posting messages and feedback
to others about human rights topics on an electronic bulletin board. WWW.Nicenet.org
provides a free service for email exchange and threaded discussion. The
course instructor who creates a Nicenet class can share the access code
with any individual or group invited to participate in the online exchange.
- Project THRO also promotes synchronous
exchange when students meet online for a text chat at a prearranged hour.
A simple THRO-Net chat program is available at this site, and more sophisticated
chat programs are freely available at AOL netmeeting and elsewhere on the
web.
- Internet videoconferencing software can be downloaded at www.ivisit.com.
In the not too distant future, online
videoconferencing should enable students around the world to participate
in educational simulations. In 1998 THRO conducted a pilot video simulation
of the world court for students in Cincinnati, Ohio and Fargo, North Dakota.
The host universities had high tech Distance Learning Centers designed for
synchronous two-way audio, video, and computer application utilizing ISDN
at 128-384 kbs, and 1/2 T1 point-to-point to a remote campus. Multi-point
videoconferences are now possible within Ohio at much less expense among
institutions connected to SONIC, a statewide network for simultaneous audio
and video transmission.
Project THRO will test internet videoconferencing
with the wide bandwidth connections at Internet2 institutions. Personal
computer mini cameras and conferencing software should enable instructors
with an LCD projector to bring individuals from other institutions into
their classroom discussions. Rather than dehumanize learning, new technology
should mediate direct communication.
About
THRO
Development/Personnel/Accessible
Technology/Publications
