Keeping the focus on Content and Curriculum first and Technology Second.

Steven Georges, Princeton Server Group

Princeton, New Jersey

<Sgeorges@princetonservergroup,com>

As I read the very good comments submitted in this very important
discussion, I'd like to comment on Stan Silverman's and Marvin Bailey's
very good piece, "Beyond the Narrow Door of Today's Internet --
Connected Classroom -- Cultivating the Seeds of Tomorrow's Dream."

Silverman and Bailey articulate as eloquently as I have seen written
anywhere a clear vision of what the ultimate destination of e-Learning
must be. As the Chief Financial Officer of Princeton Server Group
([www.princetonservergroup.com](http://www.princetonservergroup.com/)) a
startup broadband media server company working with educators, content
providers and administrators to deploy our cost-effective Classroom VOD
solution in NJ's public schools, I have a strong business interest in
seeing this vision realized. But as we all embark down this path, I hope
our journey remains careful and steady and not unduly rushed by the
"ready-fire-aim" business mentality that drove the Internet boom and
ultimate bust.

I stumbled today upon the very astute comments of an Information
Technology technician, James. R Carlson of the University of Texas at
Austin about E-Learning on StreamingMedia.com's eLearning Discussion
Board. I am quoting Mr. Carlson's comments below with the hope that as
the Department of Education develops its new National Education
Technology Plan we all keep in mind that technology does not drive
e-learning, it facilitates it. Princeton Server Group agrees with Mr.
Carlson and we hope that the the National Education Technology Plan does
too. Our children's education and future depends on it.

From James Carlson's ( <james.carlson@mccombs.utexas.edu>) e-essay:

I\'ve researched Distance Learning a little and find three things\
\> have to be established to succeed with e-learning:\
\>\
\> 1 Curriculum\
\> 2 Technology\
\> 3 Administration\
\>\
\> Notice how technology is not #1 (technology doesn\'t drive\
\> e-learning, it facilitates it). Yet as I look at the second group I\
have\
\> found four categories of technology available for distance learning:\
\>\
\> 1 Printed text, graphics\
\> 2 Electronic data (email, ftp file sharing, web sites, PowerPoint,\
\> etc.)\
\> 3 Audio\
\> 4 Video\
\>\
\> I hear a lot about the \$100,000 solutions but that works to the\
\> advantage of salesmen and not the end user. Sure, large installs\
require\
\> large bank accounts but cheap can be better in the long run. The
idea\
is\
\> to keep it simple.\
\> Use printed text as handouts when possible. Use email, etc.,\
\> before using the phone. Use the phone and audio conferencing before\
\> using video conferencing, etc. Get the idea? Use the simplest form
of\
\> technology possible if possible. You don\'t have to spend a ton of\
money!

I hope to end this e-essay with the request that we start\
\> discussing e-learning in less than sales oriented ways. We need
sales\
\> reps to help us find good equipment, but I also want to hear from
you,\
\> the end user, the guy to designs, installs, programs, and\
troubleshoots\
\> these systems in the field. That\'s what I do, and that\'s what I
need.

Respectfully Submitted,

Steven Georges

Princeton Server Group

Princeton, New Jersey

<Sgeorges@princetonservergroup.com>