SIDSNET/CPACC
INTERNET TRAINING
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Ian C King
Information Systems Coordinator, CPACC/RPIU
30th August, 1999
Introduction
The CPACC RPIU is
coordinating 10 National Internet Training Workshops in the Caribbean
on behalf of SIDSnet. The workshop in St. Vincent was the first of such
activities and one of first of all 30 SIDSnet training activities globally.
The CPACC National Focal Point lead person, Dr.Reynold Murray, the Environmental
Services Coordinator made the arrangements in St. Vincent. The Trainers
for the St. Vincent Workshop were Mr. Eric van Praag of Venezuela, a
former project officer with the IDB/CEPNET project and myself.
Facilities
The Workshop was held
from 25th to 27th August in the Computer Training Room of Open Integration
Systems, a computer systems support and supplier company. The training
room has a capacity of 21 workstations, connected to the Internet through
a LAN modem.
The total cost of the facility
including the use of 8 computers (one for display), full time Internet
access from each computer and miscellaneous printing came to EC $2550
or approximately US $950. There will be an additional cost for morning
coffee breaks.
Agenda and Attendance
Eleven persons from
Government agencies attended the meeting. The names and contact information
are attached. The agenda of the meeting is also attached.
Review
The first day of the workshop involved presentations on SIDSnet,
CPACC, the origin and objectives of the training activity and introductions
to some key issues. Further, participants were given an overview of
the Internet and engaged in web browsing. The second day involved more
practical activities such as email use, setting up email accounts, both
through an ISP and web based. Also on the second day, participants were
introduced to web page development and design and used MS Frontpage
in practical exercises. At the end of the second day and the beinning
of the third, the workshop addressed Web site design and office integration
issues. The remainder of the final day addressed advanced Internet applications
and utilities. An emphasis on practical activities and excercises was
also made.
Conclusion
The response from the participants and the trainers were positive
regarding the workshop addressing the objectives set by SIDSnet and
the country. The topics were well received, particularly the second
and third days addressing email, web page design, design issues and
Internet applications. With the exception of a few that had accounts
already, the participants acquired web-based email accounts and used
these immediately. A measure of the success of the workshop will be
the continued use of the email accounts as well as the development of
sustainable web sites.
An issue that has to be faced
however is the limitation faced a single Internet Service Provider and
telephone company. Generally, the company, Caribsurf, a subsidiary of
Cable and Wireless had relatively high fees, limited options and were
not very responsive.
From a CPACC perspective, the
workshop was also successful as the Project is becoming synonymous with
the SIDSnet training and also, CPACC partners are fully involved in
the training, thus supporting CPACC's information and communication
needs.
Recommendations
Both trainers offered
recommendations for future workshops, these include:
• Inviting the participation
of a local ISP to outline facilities and services offered and to discuss
relevant issues;
• Revision of the SIDSnet powerpoint presentations (by trainers)
to include more recent material and more graphics;
• Prepare a list of websites for visiting during the workshop;
• Provide a few copies of MS Frontpage Express (Web site development
tool) to each country (through SIDSnet);
• Ensure the training venue offers technical support.
From a coordination perspective,
the initiative was taken to provide folders, notepads, pens and certificates
of participation. These items altogether may total US $1500 for the
ten workshops, which appears to be a reasonable expense. It is therefore
recommended that SIDSnet either provides these materials to CPACC for
distribution in the workshop or the provide CPACC with the budget to
obtain the materials.
Appendix 1
AGENDA for SIDSnet/CPACC
Workshop
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
24th to 27th August 1999
|
Day
1
|
| 9.00am
– 10.15am |
Introductions
- Welcome:
Mr. Edmund Jackson, Resource Analyst, Environmental Unit, Ministry
of Health and the Environment
-
Open Integration Systems Introduction:
Mr. Anthony McKenzie, Director of Engineering
-
Workshop Structure:
Mr.
Ian King
-
Participants Introduction and Objectives
-
Workshop Introduction, Objectives and Background
Mr.
Ian King, CPACC Information Systems Coordinator, SIDSnet/CPACC Workshop
Coordinator and trainer
-
SIDSnet and CPACC Overview
Mr.
Ian King |
| 10.15am
– 10.35am |
Break |
| 10.35am
– 12.30pm |
Internet
Discussion
-
Internet History and Overview (revised CEPNET presentation):
Mr. Eric van Praag, Trainer
- Internet
and Small Islands:
Mr. Ian King |
| 12.30pm
– 2.00pm |
Lunch |
| 2.00pm
– 3.15pm |
Web
Browsing
- SIDSnet Site and CD ROM Overview:
Mr. Ian King
- Browser Introduction:
Mr. Eric van Praag |
| 3.15pm
– 3.30pm |
Break |
3.30
pm – 5.00 pm
Back to top |
Web Browsing continued
- CD ROM
Practical Exercises
- Browsing
WWW
|
|
Day
2
|
| 9.00am
– 10.15am |
E-mail
- E-mail Introduction
Mr. Ian King
- Web-based Email
Mr. Ian King
- Practical Exercise |
| 10.15am
– 10.35am |
Break |
| 10.35am
– 12.30pm |
HTML
-HTML Introduction
Mr. Eric van Praag
-HTML Tools - Frontpage
Mr. Eric van Praag
- Practical Exercise
|
| 12.30pm
– 2.00pm |
Lunch |
| 2.00pm
– 3.15pm |
HTML
Continued
- Practical Exercise |
| 3.15pm
– 3.30pm |
Break |
3.30pm
– 5.00pm
Back to top |
Web site Design
- Web site Design
Mr. Eric van Praag
- Website Office Integration
Mr. Eric van Praag
|
|
Day
3
|
| 9.00am
– 10.15am |
Internet
Based Applications
Search Demo
and Exercise
Mr. Ian King
List servers, News groups
Mr. Eric van Praag
E-room and Sidsnet
Chat
Mr. Ian King
|
| 10.15am
– 10.35am |
Break |
| 10.35am
– 12.30 pm |
Advanced Internet Facilities
E-commerce/Telemedicine/Security
Mr. Eric van Praag & Mr. Ian King
Internet Collaborative Tools
Mr. Eric van Praag
Practical Exercise
|
| 12.30pm
– 2.00 pm |
Lunch |
| 2.00
pm – 3.15 pm |
Wrap-up
- Development
Issues for SIDS and the Caribbean
- General Discussion
- Questionnaires
- Conclusion
|
www.sidsnet.org
