North Dakota State University

Information Access

Reproduced with permission from NeXT Computer, Inc.
A Reference Guide to NeXT in Higher Education, Fall 1992
ยช 1992 NeXT Computer, Inc

SENDIT connects K-12 educators and students

SENDIT-a computer-mediated communication network for North Dakota K-12 educators-is the "beginning of a new communication infrastructure for elementary and high schools," says Ron Stammen, assistant professor of educational administration at North Dakota State University, who helped develop the application along with the school's Computer Center staff.

Funded by the Educational Telecommunications Council, SENDIT provides ways for high school teachers and students to use computers and modems to exchange, search, and retrieve information. By calling a toll-free number, schools can log on to the SENDIT host, a NeXT computer, through the North Dakota Higher Education Computer Network's Internet connection.

Stammen says, "We originally wanted a NeXT because it is a UNIX-based system. Now that we have it, I can't believe how fast and powerful it is. Networked information is easy to access and the system has an easy-to-use interface. In addition, we were able to write the SENDIT program very quickly working in the NeXTSTEP environment. Since 1982, I've worked on just about every computer that's been around-from Tandy to IBM to Macintosh. The learning curve for the NeXT is shorter than for any other system, including the Mac."

Currently, instructors and students at 120 North Dakota schools (two-thirds of the schools in the state) are using SENDIT. They send electronic mail throughout the state; learn about innovative curriculum projects; and access state, regional, and college libraries to obtain research information and order books. Through SENDIT, North Dakota educators can access national and international on-line resources, including more than 70 bulletin boards, or Forums. The Forums focus on topics of interest to both teachers and students, including educational technology, educational telecommunication, and academic disciplines like mathematics and English. For example, a service available through Ohio State University (HALS@discovery.ohio-state.edu) gathers information that is transferred and deposited into the two SENDIT Forums that discuss educational technology and telecommunication topics. A service called FidoNet supplies information for the Kids Network Forums.

"One of the most popular Forums last year contained new legislative bills," says Stammen. "Several teachers implemented this Forum into their government and history classes." Stammen adds that students and teachers can also establish private Forums, which are accessible only by certain groups.

The SENDIT team has also begun to provide funding to teams of teachers and students who want to develop curriculum projects using the SENDIT.

For more information, please contact:

Ron Stammen
Assistant Professor of Educational Administration School of Education
North Dakota State University
321 J. Minard Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
(701) 237-7210
stammen@plains.nodak.edu