Education
The LOOP is a high speed broadband network that utilizes thelink fibre optic network to deliver Internet services and educational resources to classrooms. It was launched in November 2005 through a collaborative effort by Network Tasman and Nelson area schools with support from the Ministry of Education.
Network Tasman (NTL) believes education to be a key factor for the success of the region and recognized the benefits schools could realize through a high speed communications service and so included the concept of a school network from the beginning of the fibre network project.
Through The Loop, schools in the Top of the South now have the fastest internet communications systems of any schools in New Zealand and communication speeds better then those available to most New Zealand businesses. This is a huge benefit to education.
The LOOP enables internet communications that can partly offset the relative isolation of our region. Connection to The LOOP allows schools to share resources, and instantaneously interact and collaborate on projects, and enables teachers to more easily adapt to the needs and interests of individual students. It enables the region’s schools to access the best of overseas teaching in real time.
To date 35+ primary, area and secondary schools from the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough areas and NMIT have joined The LOOP; the eventual goal is 50 schools. The cost to each school is an initial outlay for installation of a service cable to connect the school to the backbone fibre network.
NTL initially contributed $250,000 to a proof of concept and continues to sponsor The LOOP by providing schools free access to thelink, the value of which is currently $190,000 p.a. and continues to grow as new schools connect.
NTL has also established a sponsorship program to assist with connection costs. The program is based on a 1/3 contribution from NTL, 1/3 from the School and 1/3 from the Ministry of Education. NTL has also offered to smooth the school’s cost by providing a three year ‘interest free loan’.
The LOOP recently won the TUANZ 2008 Next Generation Fibre Optic Network of the Year award and the 2008 Computerworld Award for “Excellence in the use of ICT in Education” and the model is being promoted by the Ministry of Education in other areas of NZ. It has also been acknowledged internationally as a significant leader in the development of education and technology.
