Rhodes, July 4-5, 2006 1RURAL WINGS IP RURAL WINGS 2 nd Plenary Meeting Rhodes, 4-5 July 2006...

1 RURAL WINGS IPRhodes, July 4-5, 2006

RURAL WINGS

2nd Plenary MeetingRhodes, 4-5 July 2006

Institute of Communications and Computer Systems

Microwave and Fiber Optics Lab

Prof. Nikolaos K. Uzunoglu, Coordinator


The RURAL WINGS project

Rural Wings is an ambitious project that proposes to develop an advanced learning platform through satellite DVB-RCS access technologies, promoting a user-centred methodological approach which constitutes its major innovation.

The main aim of the present approach is to support the creation of a new culture in rural communities promoting digital literacy and reducing resistance to the use of new

technologies. encouraging users to add their significant contribution to the emerging

applications according to their needs

The ultimate goal is the transfer of knowledge and the adjustment of these practices in

different knowledge spaces (at school, at work, at home) as a mean for interaction between user needs and technological developments


Aim of the RURAL WINGS 2nd meeting

Aim of the 2nd plenary meeting: The aim of the meeting is to provide an assessment of the activities

carried out so far and to schedule the next steps especially regarding the pilot sites, the equipment installation and the implementation of the foreseen applications

Outline: a brief overview of the current project state will be given

Key points will be mentioned in order to stimulate the discussion in the sessions to follow

A general assessment will be attempted

Project management related issues will also be mentioned


Overview of the RURAL WINGS current state

Following the past 6 months the current state of the RURAL WINGS project is as follows:

The major highlight of the past period was the selection of the pilot sites for almost all countries and the definition of the user needs

High degree of cooperation among the partnership was accomplished

Many internal discussions took place and few things are left to be done

a discussion in the next sessions will be initiated

The collaboration involved partners of WP3 and WP6A along with the National Coordinators while:

The pilot sites of the first 18 months period were preselected and finally defined according to specific criteria related to:

- geographical location, rural areas, population, contact persons, local user needs and demands, needed applications


Overview of the RURAL WINGS current state (2)

The selection of the pilot sites and the determination of the user needs analysis involves:

Proposed places for each country completed Types of the pilot sites (schools, public places etc) were selected in

such a way in order to achieve the concept of Learning@school, work and home

Contact persons from each site were identified by the National Coordinators

will be responsible for the proper communication between the project and the pilot sites



Selection of pilot sites and determination of the user needs (cont.):

The needs that each of the above pilot sites fulfils for each case were also identified

Almost all National Coordinators have gathered, processed and finally delivered the relevant material with many useful information (details of the places, views etc) by uploading it on the Rural Wings e-communication tool (PLONE)



Selection of pilot sites and determination of the user needs (cont.): An almost final report (R3.1) regarding the user needs was

delivered also recently The report assessed the corresponding information A link between the selection of the pilot sites with the users and their demands

and needs was provided Overall user needs analysis and guidelines for the whole RURAL WINGS project

was extracted A final unification of the user needs analysis should be conducted


Pilot Sites Distribution

•Countries for the full duration for the first 18 months

No of pilot sites No of WiFi No of pilot sites No of WiFi

•GREECE 27 5 8 1

•SPAIN 10 2 2 1

•SWEDEN 17 2 5 1

•FRANCE 8 2 3 1

•ROMANIA 10 1 2 0

•CYPRUS 6 1 2 1

•ESTONIA 7 2 2 1

•POLAND 10 2 2 1

•UK 16 8 4 3

•ISRAEL 6 0 2 0

•ISRAEL (FOURIER) 1 1

•TURKEY 4 0 0 0

•SOUTH AFRICA 2 0 0 0

•SWITZERLAND (DBC) 1 1

•TOTAL 125 25 34 10

** The number of WiFi is the desired one since this number will greatly depend on their cost.


Key General Activities

In parallel and regarding the technological components of the system the following took place:

Review of the available and planned satellite solutions and related applications and services took place

Work was carried out in the framework of WP2 (ICCS and AVANTI) while related information from TWISTER project was examined (ASTRIUM)

interaction between WP2 and WP3 took place provided the necessary input to WP2 members in order to assess and adjust the proposed solution

to the Rural Wings concept and needs

Terrestrial networks and solutions (WiFi networks) were identified in terms of system architecture and available equipment

The work carried our lead to Deliverable D2.1 which is almost completed and will be issued in its final version shortly in order:

To follow the report R3.1 (finalizing the relation with the user needs and the selected pilot sites) To process and adapt the information from the satellite providers


Key General Activities (2)

A procedure has started in order to establish the ways and means for the installation of the equipment into the pilot sites

The procedure was initiated by EUTELSAT since the pilot sites have been defined

providing a relevant questionnaire to the National Coordinators and all involved partners

The requested information involves: Determination of the procedure for the installation of the DVB/RCS

terminals at each pilot site:

A schedule in terms of time, effort and planning should be extracted

to proceed to the installation without unnecessary actions and lose time

Related partners (National Coordinators and contact persons) should provide

available technical infrastructure, means of interaction and communication and other technical issues of the pilot sites to this questionnaire



The implementation parameters of the whole procedure of delivering learning services in rural areas were defined and delivered middle of May (WP4)

The implementation parameters include issues like: language, use of ICT, educational level of each country, connection to the pilot sites general features

The work was mainly done in the framework of WP4 and delivered by EA

The whole case will be further elaborated in a next session

stands as the preparation of the scenarios design and development which has already been initiated in the framework of Task 4.2



Implementation parameters (cont.)

Specific scenarios are being designed to address the number and

types of users (students, teachers, individual learners, public authorities

etc) as these have been defined already by the pilot sites selection and

user needs definition

A transformation of the user needs into implementation scenarios

takes place by this way

The relevant methodology will be presented during the meeting (EA)

Specific paradigms of implementation scenarios will be provided on

the Training Session at the end of the meeting



The work carried our already regarding the user needs analysis, selection of pilot sites and development of the implementation scenarios

imposes the necessity of the definition of the final applications that should be offered to the users of the RURAL WINGS system

This action the initiation of the adaptation of existing e-platorms and e-tools

Since the basic technological infrastructure for connecting the users of the pilot sites to e-learning services via satellite has been identified and is under progress

the definition of the e-learning services should take place

In other words: what the users will do and watch entering the Rural Wings applications



A unified global system involving all the offered tools is a necessity

The above procedure raise the following questions: Which of the existing e-platforms and e-tools will be selected per site

and which users will be addressed How the integration of the above tools will be made through a web

application system (i.e. the RURAL WINGS integrated e-platform or portal)

How the information will be accessed and what are the technological issues that should be solved

How these applications (e-platforms and e-tools) will be connected to the implementation scenarios

Definition of the content and the way that this will be created (static or dynamic)

A specific related questionnaire has been distributed (EA) while during the present meeting all the above related issues should be discussed and take their final form


Other General Activities

Based on the information described so far the following activities are or will be held:

The transformation of the pilot sites into the RURAL WINGS

Learning Hubs (Tasks 6A.1 and 6A.2) is under progress since the

sites, the users and the technical issues have been defined

A 2nd internal Training workshop of the National Coordinators

takes place in the framework of this meeting in order to comply with

the relevant activities of WP6.B

The design of an initial usability test and evaluation plan is the

first activity that will be initiated in the framework of WP7

“Evaluation” which starts now (M7)


Dissemination

A final draft report of the dissemination strategy and dissemination plan

has been developed by EA and EDEN and is currently under finalization

Creation of the RURAL WINGS web site: The general project web site: www.ruralwings-project.net

The concept is to involve 3 main parts under the above address: A) the part of providing and disseminating information regarding the

project to the public B) the e-communication PLONE tool C) the RURAL WINGS integrated platform that will be developed

- to integrate the e-platforms and e-tools offered by the partnership- And to provide the learning services to the users

All above parts are linked together under the general project web site umbrella in order the web site to act by itself as a unique service:

to the RURAL WINGS members, to the RURAL WINGS users and to the general public


Dissemination (2)

A highest priority was given almost by the beginning of the project to the development of the e-communication (PLONE tool)

Reasons: Due to the large number of partners and the complexity in their roles

a unified system for the sharing of information was needed

The tool should be ready early enough even in a draft form in order the partners to be able to evaluate it test it and provide feedback for its improvement

Inside the e-communication (PLONE tool) an effort and progress reporting system takes place:

Easy and fast declaration of expenses and progress of work Quick overview of the developments by the management team

avoiding multiple emails and not spending time

Is basically a management and sharing of information tool


Dissemination (3)

E-communication (PLONE) tool (cont.) The tool has been developed by ICCS with QPLAN’s consulting it is now ready and used by the partners It will be presented in the following by QPLAN in order the effort and

progress reporting to be done properly and delivered to EC end of July

Technical problems occurred on the system’s server which are dealt with. The server was down for a period because inability to access it.

Given the highest priority to the e-communication (PLONE tool) development of the rest of the website was delayed

The delay was even worse due to the general problematic situation in Greece mentioned earlier that affected ICCS for almost the last 2 months.

The Dissemination part of the RURAL WINGS web site is almost ready and will be made public until the end of this week.

Few technical issues are being currently finalized


Dissemination (4)

The RURAL WINGS web site involves the provision of: General information of the project The project partners Link to e-communication (PLONE tool) and to the RURAL WINGS

integrated platform that will be developed Will be gradually enhanced with other menus (events, publications etc) Detailed information regarding the pilot sites implemented in the

RURAL WINGS project which is considered by the developers as the most important feature of the site


Dissemination (5)

This Detailed information regarding the pilot sites involves the following:

road and aerial maps of each pilot site area with 1 mile resolution and zooming

Geographical information of the pilot site area Information regarding the installation and operation of the technical pilot

site equipment is planned to be given by colored indicators

A database lays behind where all selected pilot

sites/country are listed

Key features or characteristics of

the pilot sites are currently inserted

into the database

identification of the NC,

Sat provider,

contact persons,

type of the site (school, public,

farm etc)

type of the e-tool offered,

WiFi availability etc)


Dissemination (6)

The concept is to provide useful and dynamic information to the RURAL WINGS members and users regarding the pilot sites by

reviewing the whole progress and operation of a pilot site in a glance Providing a dynamic and visualized list of all the project’s pilot sites and

related information to any external user or reviewer

In this sense the development of that part of the site presupposed the insertion of all the pilot sites (WP3)

for that reason is currently updated and will be launched until the end of this week.

the 8 Greek pilot sites have already been inserted


Management Issues (1)

Major Issues: Contract Form A:

All Forms A (accession Forms to the RURAL WINGS contract) have been received and submitted to the PO

Copies of the signed Forms A will be distributed to the consortium members during this meeting

Partner Goekceada Belediyesi (Partner ID:28, GB) did not sign the accession Forms despite all efforts

- New possible partner has been identified to replace GB- An Eastern Europe partner was targeted: Republic of Armenia

- remote montainous village schools as pilot sites- Contacts with State Engineering University of Armenia to

act as National Coordinator- PO is aware and the replacement procedure (Contract

Amendment) will start soon

Consortium Agreement: Signed and will be send to partners until mid July

Payments: Money reimbursed



Major Issues (2): Reviewers Feedback from the kick-off meeting

More sufficient and effective interaction between the partners needed due to the project size and diversity

WP2 and WP3 should interact strongly each other: evaluation of the quality of this interaction should be made

Transfer of expertise should be accomplished end-user oriented approach is fundamental The role of the National Coordinators is questioned Issues like sustainability, installations etc beyond end of the

project should be clarified a s early as possible Equal attention to education, medical and community applications

should be given




Selection criteria and Needs Analysis are of key importance

Realistic Content Strategy Discrepancy between concrete objectives and the planned work

after the Kick-off meeting: not to be ignored To be realistic both on the technical side and on content side To demonstrate the local communities the benefits from

broadband access in socio-economic terms Education Stakeholders (Ministries, agencies, network providers)

should be systematically aware of the progress and outcomes of the project

Quality Assurance should have an enhanced role




DVB/RCS vs WiMAX: pros and cons Transparency and clarifications for the costs related to the

Satellite providers and terminal equipment that will purchased is needed

Clear and holistic evaluation strategy through independent and external experts

Agreement between the two sat providers and definition of conditions and boundaries of their collaboration

Adopt existing and proven solutions for the educational domain and not to develop new ones

Wp2, WP3 and WP5 timetable should be reviewed and followed thoroughly



Detailed Actions suggested by the reviewers: Project web site (responsible ICCS) Internal review of Deliverables Clarifications on Human resources and travels costs eLearning partner included in the management team Selection of test sites User need analysis needs methodology Synergy with TWISTER to be enhanced Coordination with other projects Sustainability


Deliverables

Deliverables: WP1

D.1.1: Project Management Guidelines (delivered) WP2

D.2.1: available and planned applications and satellite scenarios definition report. Deadline: project month 6 (Final stage)

Task 2.1: review of available and planned applications / services – Definition and analysis of satellite communication solutions: deadline project month 6

WP 3 Task 3.1: User need analysis (which leads to internal task report R.3.1).

Deadline: project month 5 (draft final delivered) WP 4

Task 4.1: Determination of the implementation parameters (which leads to internal task report R.4.1). Deadline: project month 4 (delivered)

WP 6B Task 6B.1: Internal training workshop. 2nd Training Workshop to be held during this meeting

WP9 D9.1: Dissemination Plan. Deadline project month 3 (draft final delivered) D9.2: Project’s Web Site. (ready to be launched) D9.3: Project’s leaflet and poster (will be delivered end of July 2006)


Milestones

Over Full DurationMonth Related activities

M1 1 •Kick-off meeting: Formulation of the various working groups for the user needs analysis, the feasibility study the pedagogical scenarios and the study for the pilot sites end to end architecture surveys. •1sti Internal Training Workshop for the NCs

M2 12 •2nd Collaboration Meeting: Delivery of the Users profile report. Delivery of the high level definition of the end-to-end system architecture. Delivery of the technical definition of the pilot sites. Delivery of the Rural Wings learning environments. •2nd Internal training WP for the NCs with emphasis to the pilot sites installation. Assessment of the work carried out within WP2 and WP3

M3 17 •Start of the test runs: Delivery of the Rural Wings scenarios and the Integrated system - The system ready to be used: •Start of the pilot phase (Test Run) - Delivery of the Usability Test and usability evaluation Plan

M4 21 / 22 •3rd Collaboration Meeting: Assessment of the test runs – Selection of the remaining pilot sites for the final implementation. Start of the system improvements and adaptation (phase A) (all components: system, scenarios, e-tools).

M5 27 •Delivery of the system improvements and adaptation (phase A) - Delivery of the evaluation framework. Start of the final run (Phase A). Start of the evaluation procedures in the pilot sites.

M6 33 •Assessment of the Final Run (Phase A) - Start of the system improvements and adaptation (phase B).

M7 37 •4th Collaboration Meeting. Delivery of the system improvements and adaptation (phase B). Delivery of the adapted/integrated scenarios - Start of the final run (Phase B)

M8 42 •End of the implementation phases – End of the evaluation phase in pilot sites – Start of the Business Plan Development-Start of the final evaluation report development.

M9 47-48 •Closing 5th Collaboration meeting and closing international Workshop – Delivery of the Business Plan and the final evaluation report


Management Reports

Main Roles of Management Structure will be presented by QPLAN in the following session

Management Reports to EC: every 6 months All partners should report the requested information The Management team will gather and assess all inputs

providing the final deliverables to EC Includes progress reporting and financial data (justification of

expenses and person months spent) 1st Management report: end of July 2006

Internal Management reports: every 3 months (web based procedure: PLONE tool) in order:

The partners to get familiarised with the proecedure and be prepared adequately for the official reporting to EC


General Assessment

A great deal of effort was spent and a lot of work was carried out in the past 6 months from the RURAL WINGS consortium

Generally the progress of the running WP is well. The critical activities are well in advance in terms of the time schedule While some are left behind. In these cases the lost time will be recovered very

soon since - a) these are not key actions that would affect the project evolution and - B) are easy to be treated without further delays

Large cooperation between the consortium members takes place and is further encouraged

During the present meeting efforts should intensified to take the necessary actions and decisions for the:

Identification of critical paths and problems Installation procedure and platform integration Next steps and time planning

The final target is to have some pilot sites ready and available to be presented fully in the 1st project review meeting


Concluding Remarks

Further elaboration on the technical issues, the application and implementation procedure will take place in the next

sessions of the Extended Discussion in the Training Workshop

THANK YOU!!!

Rhodes, July 4-5, 2006 1RURAL WINGS IP RURAL WINGS 2 nd Plenary Meeting Rhodes, 4-5 July 2006...

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