Satellite Internet: The Technology Behind eLearning

Satellite Internet And The Technology Behind eLearning
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Summary: While many of the nation’s children have access to super-fast cable and fiber internet because they live in urban areas, large rural areas of the country have broadband internet only because of satellite internet technology.

Satellite Internet For Schools 

The eLearning opportunities available to rural students make non-traditional career options a reality. The incredible impact of satellite internet technology deserves study of its own. We have compiled age appropriate resources ideal for teacher or parent use, to help today’s eLearners understand satellites and how they make eLearning a reality for so many internet users.

  • Elementary School. 
    • The United States Geological Survey (USGS) gives students of any age a great starting point by showing them exactly what satellites see anywhere on earth.
    • Satellite Facts for Kids is a fact-based overview of the origins of satellites to help students get a better grasp of satellite development.
    • The National Social Science Association has an excellent article for teachers on incorporating Google Earth in elementary classes.
    • Another excellent teacher resource is one on Communications and Satellites provided by the site TeachEngineering.org. It is comprehensive enough to be used for self-study.
  • Middle School. 
    • USGS offers an informative video lecture on the history of satellites.
    • The site ExplorePAhistory.com provides an overview of the first weather satellite.
    • Getting the Global Picture is a collection of information on global warming learned through the use of satellites observing Earth. This site is more than 10 years old, but still contains relevant information. For more up to date information on NASA’s Earth Observing System, the official site can provide an impressive amount of information on satellite-based Earth Science missions.
    • A lesson on satellite orbits is available through ScienceNetLinks. While geared at teachers, it is also excellent for home use as it contains useful links to make it easier to delve deeper and learn more.
    • NASA has provided an array of educational tools for both students and teachers, making it fun to learn about satellites and anything space related.
  • High School. 
    • To learn about the history of early satellites, NASA provides an excellent resource for high schoolers. It also provides an excellent timeline on the evolution of communications satellites.
    • An intimate look into satellite testing and the development of the satellite program is provided by the U.S. Air Force Satellite Test Center.
    • NOAA has compiled its own list of resources on satellites and remote sensing.
    • A physics lesson on principles used in satellites helps to deepen a high schooler’s understanding of what makes satellites work.

Satellite Internet For Teachers

In addition to our go-to list of learning tools about satellites, there is a wide variety of teacher help available, to make teaching about satellites at any grade level easier than you would expect. Government websites like NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey have provided lesson plans that are ready made for the classroom. In addition, private lesson plan websites like Lesson Planet and Teachers Pay Teachers have a wide variety of plans available for use. More than just reading about the technology, there are science projects that allow students to understand the science behind satellites, as well as interactive online exploration that are a part of these lessons.

Satellite internet based eLearning for rural students provides not only access to information and resources that would otherwise be unavailable, it also gives them a platforms where they can interact with other learners and teachers. The flexibility satellite internet provides to rural learners ensures that they can compete in today’s world.