ABSTRACT

This research investigated school-based Intranet technology as a model to enhance communication, delivery of curriculum and general administration. Initially, a research and development methodology was employed to construct a help guide to assist teachers during the technical process of establishing their own school Intranet. The study then documented an in situ exemplar of best practice using Intranet technology in a way that empowers educators to encourage electronic information literacy skills and overcome some of the problems associated with the Internet. Two schools, with established reputations as leading innovators in the field of school-based Intranet technology, were selected to form the case studies. The third phase of the research expanded on the case study information by examining current literature to suggest further applications for school-based Intranets. The research manifests itself in a series of recommendations, guiding teachers and administrators through the school-based Intranet planning process

The study used current literature to demonstrate how school-based Intranets can be used to support a K-12 framework for Information Technology (IT) across the curriculum. The framework, designed by Andrew Fluck (University of Tasmania), comprises of six IT modules including publishing, researching, independent learning, problem solving, communicating and computer literacy. Examples of how teachers might harness the potential of a school-based Intranet were given for each of the six framework modules.

A major finding of this study was that Intranet technology can be used by schools to enhance communication, delivery of curriculum and general administration. School-based Intranets need not be complex. Simple Intranets are easily installed and maintained, which is important, especially in smaller schools where a teacher is often recruited to perform the role of network manager.

A Special Interest Group (SIG) comprising over 70 members was formed as a direct result of this study. The forum, which is still operative, congregates regularly at host schools where members have the opportunity to contribute and respond to questions, suggestions and ideas concerning the building, maintenance and integration of a school-based Intranet. The study has also contributed to a number of state educational conferences and has helped form the content of an upcoming book entitled The Fourth Brain: Using Intranets to Enhance the Intelligence of Your Learning Community.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank the following people:

Dr. Sue Trinidad, Faculty of Education, Curtin University of Technology, for her inspiration, enthusiasm and support throughout the study.

Andrew MacDonald, Winthrop Technologies, for his technical assistance with the design of the Intranet guide and his contributions to the organisation of the Intranet Special Interest Group meetings.

Dr. Rob Long, University of Canberra (A.C.T.) and Greg Smith, Girralang Primary (A.C.T.) for their much appreciated advice and hospitality during my stay in Canberra.

Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, UK, for his contributions to the Intranet Special Interest Group and the case study.

ECAWA, (the Educational Computing Association (inc.) of Western Australia) for their ethical and financial support of the Intranet Special Interest Group.

My Mother, Father and brother for their support throughout this study.

The anonymous students and teachers who assisted in the trialing of the product 'Building a Simple Intranet on a Macintosh LAN'.

CONTENTS

Abstract i

Acknowledgements ii

1.	Introduction
	1.1	Significance of the Study
	1.2	The Research Questions
		1.2.1	Phase One
		1.2.2	Phase Two
		1.2.3	Phase Three
	1.3	Limitations of the Study

2.	Phase One: Developing the Product
	2.1	Introduction
	2.2	Product Goals
	2.3	Overview of Developmental Stages
	2.4	Developmental Procedure
		2.4.1	Stage One: Research and Information Collecting
		2.4.2	Stage Two: Planning
			2.4.2.1	Stating the Technical Objectives
			2.4.2.2	Deciding on a Format
			2.4.2.3	Selecting a Platform
			2.4.2.4	Determining Trial Candidates
		2.4.3	Stage Three: Developing a Preliminary Product
			2.4.3.1	Two Areas of Need
			2.4.3.2	First Area of Need: Practical Examples of Intranet Technology
			2.4.3.3	Second Area of Need: The Technical Process of Configuring an Intranet
			2.4.3.4	Designing Suitable Evaluation Devices
		2.4.4	Stage 4: Preliminary Field Testing
			2.4.4.1	The Questionnaire Data
		2.4.5	Stage 5: Main Product Revision
		2.4.6	Stage 6: Main Product Field Testing
			2.4.6.1	The Questionnaire Data
		2.4.7	Stage 7: Final Product Revision
		2.4.8	Stage 8: Dissemination and Implementation
	2.5	Summary

3.	Phase Two: Case Study of Two Schools
	3.1	Introduction
	3.2	The First Case Study School: Giralang Primary
		3.2.1	Introduction to Giralang Primary School
		3.2.2	Historical Development of the Giralang Intranet
			3.2.2.1	The Need for an Intranet
			3.2.2.2	Equipment Available at Outset
			3.2.2.3	Staff Development Needs
		3.2.3	How is the Intranet Being Used to Facilitate Student Learning?
		3.2.4	How is the Intranet Being Used to Facilitate School Administration?
		3.2.5	Future Directions for the School
	3.3	The Second Case Study School: Felsted School
		3.3.1	Introduction to Giralang Primary School
		3.3.2	Historical Development of the Giralang Intranet
			3.3.2.1	The Need for an Intranet
			3.3.2.2	Equipment Available at Outset
		3.3.3	How is the Intranet Being Used to Facilitate Student Learning?
		3.3.4	How is the Intranet Being Used to Facilitate School Administration?
		3.3.5	Future Directions for the School
	3.4	Summary

 

4.	Phase Three: Issues in the Current Literature
	4.1	Introduction
	4.2	What is an Intranet?
	4.3	Intranets: A Corporate World View
	4.4	Intranets: A Scholastic World View
	4.5	Six Key Information Technology Outcomes
		4.5.1	Independent Learning
		4.5.2	Publishing
		4.5.3	Researching
		4.5.4	Problem Solving
		4.5.5	Communicating
		4.5.6	Operations and Computer Components
	4.6	How Can a School-Based be Used to Address the Six Key Information Technology Outcomes?
		4.6.1	How can Intranets support Independent Learning?
		4.6.2	How can Intranets support Publishing?
		4.6.3	How can Intranets support Research?
		4.6.4	How can Intranets support Problem Solving?
		4.6.5	How can Intranets support Communication?
		4.6.6	How can Intranets support Operations and Computer Components
	4.7	Other Applications for School-based Intranets
	4.8	Summary

5.	Recommendations and Conclusion
	5.1	Overview of the Study
	5.2	Major Findings of the Study
	5.3	Planning a School-Based Intranet: Recommendations
		5.3.1	Planning With a Vision
		5.3.2	Technical Planning
		5.3.3	Planning for Security
		5.3.4	Planning for Internet Access
		5.3.5	Planning for Professional Development
		5.3.6	Planning Within a Budget
	5.4	Keys to Success
	5.5	Ideas to Get People Using Your Intranet
	5.6	Final Comments
	References