NPAC Technical Report SCCS-618

High Performance Computing and Communication-Yet another revolution in education

Geoffrey Fox, Kim Mills

Submitted March 25 1994


Abstract

Technology has often promised much for education, but rarely has it delivered on the rash promises of technology zealots. Nevertheless, we expect high performance computing and communications (HPCC) technologies will create important new opportunities in education. Here we indicate some of the possibilities offered by the NII (National Information Infrastructure). This national initiative links government, industry, and the people in a joint effort to accelerate the coming of the digital information age. We cannot be certain of the real impact of the NII on education, but now is a good time to start the experiment to develop and assess the possible ideas. The basic technology is in place, and installation of the supporting infrastructure has been started. What new approaches, technologies, and software products are needed to deliver HPCC to education?