Introduction Distance learning has increased drastically over the last 100 years. High-speed network connectivity enables more opportunities for distance learning programs. Unfortunately, most rural areas do not have access to high-speed Internet. HPWREN (High Performance Wireless Research and Education Network) is the result of a research program at UCSD intended to provide high-speed Internet access for rural San Diego.

HPWREN works in collaboration with UCSD Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) for distance math tutoring. HPWREN works in collaboration with Hewlett Packard and the Tribal Digital Village(TDV) to introduce students from rural San Diego to wireless technology using HPWREN’s Internet. For more information: http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/

Distance Learning Transmission: Then and Now 1883-distance learning began by correspondence Distance learning transmission methods: Correspondence(1883), Radio(1930), Television(1950) 1950-60 Audiocassettes, Videocassettes, Fax From 1985 to present, computers and the Internet become essential for distance learning. From 1995 to 1998 Internet-based distance education programs increased by 72%.* 1997-98-more than 1.6 million students were enrolled in Internet-based distance classes.* * A 1997-98 study by The National Center for Education Statistics(NCES). U.S. Department of Education, NCES #2000-013. Washington, DC

HPWREN Backbone 45mbps duplex point-to-point links 45mbps is about 750 times faster than dial-up modem Network performance monitors at backbone sites Antennas are interconnected as point-to-point or point-to-multipoint in what is called line of sight or repeater antenna, as shown in the next design figure

Design Terrestrial microwave transmission of interconnected antennas: Line of sight: Use when there is a clear line of sight between two antennas Repeater antenna: Use when there is an obstruction like a mountain between the receiver and the destination. It receives a signal on one side and transmits it to the other side Transmission of up to 30 miles maximum

Impact of HPWREN’s Implementation 3 Native American Centers connected via HPWREN: Pala, Rincon, and La Jolla Before HPWREN, The Pala Learning Center had a dial-up modem on one of their computers; students could use the Internet for 30 minutes. Now they have multiple computers hooked up to high-speed Internet Internet uses: Distance math tutoring: Math grade improvement from F/D to A/B of two girls who used the distance math tutoring Hewlett Packard Youth Academy

Impact (continued) Classes offered: Introduction to Internet HTML The Pala and Rincon Centers have offered both classes and several students have finished them Students from ages 18 to 50 take such classes, and there are no restrictions for enrolling in classes or for using the Internet

HPWREN’s Future HPWREN is currently working on a proposal to develop more formal classes in the near future. The distance math tutoring will be offered again the next school year. Hewlett Packard has just donated a $5 million grant to expand HPWREN connectivity to the other fifteen Native American Learning Centers in rural San Diego. HPWREN’s team will keep making an effort with their research to make the opportunity of distance learning equally available for everyone in rural San Diego.

Acknowledgements The HPWREN project is based on work sponsored by The National Science Foundation and its ANIR division under grant number ANI-0087344, and the University of California, San Diego. The U.S. Government has certain rights to the related material presented on HPWREN. UC San Diego’s HPWREN is led by Hans-Werner Braun, a research scientist at the San Diego Super Computer Center, and Frank Vernon, a geophysicist at The Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Special thanks to UCSD Academic Enrichment Programs and its staff, and to Jesse, Sarah and Kimberly for all their support in this project.