High Speed, fiber-based WAN Delivers Premier Distance Learning System.

Spring Branch Independent School District of Houston, Texas was facing two challenges. First, they were consistently hitting 100% utilization on their T1-based WAN. Adding additional T1s was going to be very expensive and did not give them a long range plan to deal with ever increasing bandwidth consumption. Secondly, they had a master teacher program that was a logistical challenge to say the least.

The solution came when BNI teamed up with Time-Warner of Houston to build a fiber based infrastructure to provide the capacity for multiple Gbps links with the ability to deliver high quality video conferencing using a new IP-based video conferencing product called PowerPlay™. "Up until we met BNI, we had not found anyone that could offer a solution that would fulfill both our data and video needs." explained Tina Baugh, WAN Services Manager. This solution met the current need while putting an infrastructure in place that would carry Spring Branch well into the future.

Just one year after the installation, Spring Branch school district is already realizing the benefits of the high speed WAN. PowerPlay video conferencing has become an integral part of their distance learning program."We are using video conferencing to provide new, exciting opportunities for students to enrich and accelerate student learning experiences." stated Bill McGlaun, Executive Director for Special Projects.

Currently, advanced placement courses in computer sciences are being taught at the High school level while a 6th grade honors math class is being offered from Memorial MS to 5th grade students at Frostwood Elementary.

The new program is also providing enrichment courses that reach beyond the traditional classroom. Students are learning from doctors at Univeristy Texas Houston Health Science Center on a weekly basis. The district's Smithsonian Scholar program is instantly many times more effective. "More schools can now participate in the Smithsonian Scholar program by having the scholar present through the PowerPlay system." explained Bill McGlaun. In addition, interaction between Cornerstone Academy and Hillendahl Library is providing after school math tutoring by student volunteers. A program that would not have been an option before PowerPlay.

The future holds great promise for the Spring Branch School District's distance learning program. Additional classes are planned between Houston Community College System and the high schools, as well as Harris County Psychology Center and some of the middle schools. They are also looking forward to gaining access to Internet 2 and the massive amount of content available through universities and other organizations such as NASA and the Smithsonian.

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