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| Format: | Recurso educativo Open Access |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
1985
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED254895 |
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Table of Contents:
- Local Area Networks in Education: Overview, Applications, and Current Limitations. Piele, Philip K. Computer Assisted Instruction Computer Oriented Programs Computer Software Definitions Elementary Secondary Education Information Networks Legal Problems Merchandise Information Microcomputers Office Management Purchasing Technological Advancement Telecommunications Two Year Colleges Local area networks (LAN) are privately owned communication systems that connect multivendor devices at high speed. As microcomputers become more common in schools, user interest in sharing information, software, and peripherals will increase. A basic understanding of the operation of all LAN's can be gained by knowing four elements: media, topology, method of channel access, and bandwidth. LAN's used for instruction provide advantages not available from a single microcomputer. Cost savings result from students sharing public domain and network-licensed instructional software as well as peripherals. Teachers can unobstrusively monitor students' progress while programs make the assessment of student progress easier. Communications devices turn the microcomputer into a library. Administrative applications of LAN's include recordkeeping, word processing, budgeting, scheduling, and inventory control. The use of any micrcomputer LAN available today is limited by (1) the need for network management, (2) the shortage of technical support, (3) the lack of multi-user database management system (DBMS) software, and (4) the legal barriers to the use of single-user software on LAN's. School administrators should begin a process of hands-on LAN familiarity and training, site visitations, and data communications needs assessment before purchasing a LAN. Twenty-eight references are included. (MLF)