Mississippi State University will design and implement the programs for the first fiber-optic-based active distance learning network, better known as Mississippi 2000.

The fiber-optic network is different because it provides two-way audio-visual. The teacher will be able to hear as well as see students.

Optical fiber is a cable made of flexible fiberglass which is the thickness of a human hair. The fibers are 10,000 times more transparent than window glass. Bursts of light from a laser are transmitted through the fiber optics, instead of electricity.

Signals such as the human voice, data and video transmissions can be relayed through one fiber-optic wire.

Mississippi 2000 is a partnership between South Central Bell, Northern Telecom Inc. and the state of Mississippi. South Central Bell operates within a nine-state region, including Mississippi. Mississippi was chosen for Mississippi 2000, because it met basic criteria. The state:

• corresponds to the geographic boundaries of the program

• meets the target population demographics

• has existing network architecture

Ralph Powe, vice president for research, said he feels the reputation MSU has led the way for the program on campus. “We are tremendously pleased to have been chosen as a university to develop the programs which demonstrate this new technology,” he said.

Although technology is the means, Mississippi 2000 is focused on education. There are four general areas in which the Mississippi 2000 program will be used.

• primary and secondary school classes which were not available before can be taught

• companies which receive the programs can help the education of employees

• programs from MSU can be sent to Jackson over Broadcast TV

• access to the supercomputer in Vicksburg at the Waterways Experiment Station can be attained through the high speed of the fiber-optic network.

Four high schools have been selected to be recipients of the Mississippi 2000 program: Corinth, West Point, Clarksdale and Philadelphia. These schools were chosen based on geographical proximity to existing fiber routes, commitment by administrators and curriculum needs. “Because of the fiber optic network, there will be more attention directed toward MSU,”Powe said.

The fiber-optic network will be implemented in a step-by-step approach. Installation of the fiber-optic cables, teacher training, curriculum coordination and installation of audio-visual machines in classrooms is yet to be completed. The network should be ready for use by January 1991.