ERIC Number: EJ1374716
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1499-6677
EISSN: EISSN-1499-6685
Available Date: N/A
Defining and Exploring Broadband Connections and Education Solutions in Canada's North
Soanes-White, Tammy
Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, v48 n4 2022
The use of technology and need for connection across distance permeates all education environments; nowhere is this more important than in Canada's Northwest Territories. Broadband and telecommunications issues within the Northwest Territories are complex due to its vast geographical area and community dispersion, making connectivity and accessibility inconsistent. Due to these conditions, the North relies on a variety of broadband solutions to improve Internet speeds and access to education at a distance. This paper analyzes the impacts that broadband capacity and Internet access have on remote education by examining geographic information system data, which offers a framework that connects spatial and temporal data to analyse accessibility of remote education. Characteristics such as spatial location of communities, infrastructure (road systems),and the overlay of various broadband options will illustrate constraints and (dis)connectivity in various regions and inform readers about the complexity of remote connections. Analysis of current upload and download speeds from various regions and their impact on access to education supports geospatial data and analysis that the digital divide in remote regions of Canada has increased and is widening. Improving equitable access to postsecondary education will require a greater reliance on technology-enabled practices to improve learning opportunities. [This paper was presented at the virtual symposium: Rethinking Online Education in the Knowledge Society with Emerging Technology jointly hosted by the Chongqing Open University, China, Athabasca University, Canada, and Beijing Normal University, China.]
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Telecommunications, Internet, Access to Education, Distance Education, Geographic Location, Postsecondary Education, Technology Uses in Education, Satellites (Aerospace)
Canadian Network for Innovation in Education. 260 Dalhousie Street Suite 204, Ottawa, ON K1N 7E4, Canada. Tel: 613-241-0018; Fax: 613-241-0019; e-mail: cnie-rcie@cnie-rcie.ca; Web site: http://www.cjlt.ca
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative; Speeches/Meeting Papers
Education Level: Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A