Telematics: An Overview
Contents of this page
Introduction Distance Learning The Internet Satellite Applications Video Conferencing Why Telematics? Lifelong Learning The Future of Telematics
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An introduction
Telematics is now a somewhat dated term, but has been used to describe the convergent action of computer and communication (terrestrial and satellite) technologies. Another related term is ICT - Information and Communications Technologies - essentially the same thing. In other words, telematics is about the merging of computers and telecommunications. Telematic technologies include satellite television, the use of computers to mediate communication known as CMC, visual collaboration through the use of video conferencing and of course the Internet. One of the major applications of telematics is in the delivery of distance education.Distance Education
Distance
education has come a long way in the last few decades. No longer do
teachers have to rely on paper and mail services alone, to deliver learning
materials to their remote students. We now have access to a vast array of
technologies, known as telematic technologies to connect to our students and to
enable them to reach us and each other. This form of distance education can be
referred to as technology
supported learning.
Technologies include
satellite television, satellite data transmission, audio conferencing,
various forms of computer
mediated communication,
video conference, and of course, the increasingly expanding
international network of computers, connections and databases known as the
Internet.
The Internet
The Internet is probably the most widely available technology, with at least
fifty million users world wide (1999 figures). Tony Bates, formerly at the
British Open University, has claimed that never before has it been so
easy to provide learning, when students want it, any time, any place, any
where. The Internet, if applied properly, can enable teachers to do this.
Satellite Applications
Another option now open to teachers is satellite television. With the digital
age upon us, satellite television is less expensive than ever before. Between
1996-2006 the University of Plymouth used
MPEG2 digital technology to compress video, audio and data down to a
fraction of its bandwidth and
power requirements, thereby reducing satellite
transponder (broadcast space) costs significantly. With conventional
analogue techniques, an hour of live television cost between £2000 and £5000
per hour. At the University of Plymouth, satellite time was purchased for under
£200 per hour (2003 figures).
Satellites can transmit pictures to a
footprint (or satellite beam coverage) that can be many thousands of
miles in diameter. This means that previously problematic geographical features
such as mountains, (which would constrain line of sight technologies such as
microwave or terrestrial transmission) pose no problem. Furthermore,
everyone can receive the same information at the same time, in a media rich and
interactive format. Follow the link for more on
satellite technology.
Videoconferencing
Video conferencing technology is now becoming more widely available for
distance education. All around the South West of England, during the RATIO
project (1996-1999) public access centres opened to offer a wide range of
training and information to local businesses. Tutorial support was offered
through videoconferencing.
Other projects throughout the UK and Europe are now deploying similar systems
to enable training and information to reach students and business clients in a
timely manner. More recently, lecturers at the university and in many other
education institutions are using videoconferencing to deliver lectures,
tutorials and conduct interviews and meetings across two or more geographically
separated sites.
RIGHT: A videoconference in progress(Picture courtesy of PictureTel Corporation) Video links can provide not only visual and audio communications. They can also offer high power data links, application sharing and white board facilities. Truly dynamic synchronous, face to face at a distance student contact can now be offered, whatever the distance. For more on videoconferencing applications, click here.
Why Telematics?
With the current financial constraints and the increasing pressure on education providers to perform better, telematics offers a viable solution for sustainability and growth. Widening catchment areas and increasing student numbers without direct access to new resources such as more classrooms and staff can be achieved using telematics. There is also the move towards lifelong learning to consider....Lifelong Learning
The Future of Telematics
So what of the future? Currently being tested are a range of new technologies such as VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), a two way satellite telecommunication system used to access remote servers and obtain world wide web information without direct telephone connection. Also on the horizon are new, faster and more reliable communications networks such as Asymetric Digital Subscriber Loop (ADSL) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). Another technology that may revolutionize the way we receive our data traffic is Powerline. This system uses existing mains power cable to deliver computer data at very fast rates direct to the home or office.
Whatever the future holds for technology, we can be assured that convergence will continue. Devices will become smaller and faster, and have multiple functions within them. The classic example of this is the mobile phone that thinks it's a camera! It is also a gateway to the internet, using WAP technology, and can double up as a number of other communication devices. The idea of m-Learning, or mobile learning, is gaining impetus, and will revolutionise the way many students learn over the next few years.
All of these technologies have great educational scope, and the University of Plymouth will be one of the universities at the forefront of this research and development. These pages will host information on new developments, applications and research as they happen.