Themistocles Sparangis, Ed.D.
Information Technology Division
Los Angeles Unified School District
It all began several years ago when a small pilot team experimented with the possibility of Internet access. Access to the World Wide Web on the Internet is just one of the many features that are provided on LAUSDnet. LAUSDnet users have been accessing the Internet - doing research and sending electronic mail using both our text (menu) based interface (dumb terminal access) as well as the graphical based system (PPP access).
The development of the text interface was necessary since the majority of school sites still have computer equipment without the capability to display high-end graphics. So, today, all you need to get on the Internet is a phone line, computer, modem and modem software, login name and password. Through the text menu there are a variety of options for our users.
These options include personal mail (e-mail), gopher, World Wide Web (users commonly use Netscape, Mosaic, or Explorer to browse the web, however, text access is also available for computers that are not powerful enough to display graphics), News (a connection to most of the common Usenet newsgroups that reside on the Internet), finger, chat, FTP, Telnet, and a variety of other Internet applications.
One of the exciting features of LAUSD's Internet effort is that it is a true reflection of the LAUSD community. This has been a collaborative effort from the start. Representative groups, such as the United Teachers of Los Angeles, worked with the District to develop user committees to advise and direct the project. This collaboration between teachers and other staff will continue so that LAUSDnet can truly meet the needs of the schools in the district.
How is the LAUSDnet Web site used? The Web site is a window into LAUSD from the global Internet community. It can be used to show educators and others what we are doing in the District; how we are working to reform our educational practices. Another important goal of this Web site is for clusters, schools, teachers and students to develop their own uses for the internet site.
The content of LAUSDnet is directed by the users of the internet within our community. For example, schools and student are already creating their own home pages, including school events, lesson plans and curricular items.
Welcome to the world of the Internet! Welcome to LAUSDnet!
