July 9, 1991
nic.cerf.net


Free Education Mail Network			

The FrEdMail (Free Educational Mail) Network is an informal, grass-roots
telecommunications network that helps teachers and students exchange
information freely and simply.  With over 120 nodes, it lets teachers share
experiences with student assignments, distribute teaching materials and
curriculum ideas, promote the development of effective reading and writing
skills, and obtain information about workshops, job opportunities, legislation
affecting education, and new nodes on the growing network.  It motivates
students to become better learners and writers.  FrEdMail was initiated by Al
Rogers who is a computer specialist for San Diego County Schools. 

National Recognition

	The network has received nationwide recognition for its contributions
to the pedagogy and practices of instructional telecommunications.  In fact,
the network has been so successful that it has influenced the development of
commercial services such as the McGraw-Hill Information Exchange (MIX) and the
AT&T Long Distance Learning Network. 

How FrEdMail Works

	The network consists of a number of electronic bulletin boards, each
representing a "node" in the network.  The bulletin boards are operated by
individuals and institutions. Some boards are operated at universities and some
are operated by district or county offices of education while others are
operated at individual schools, in school offices, classrooms, or even in
teachers' homes. 
	This local ownership offers a number of advantages. Each node is able
to tailor content to its local needs. Some districts use the boards for
instructional and administrative purposes.  Other sites promote use by students
at school or at home. Another significant advantage to local control is that
each node has a vested interest in promoting the service to its local
constituents, and most are proactive in recruiting participants and training
teachers.  Finally, local ownership usually means a subsidized service, which
allows free access to the network. 

FrEdMail and CERFnet 

	In an effort to promote student and instructor participation in data
telecommunications, CERFnet developed a prototype gateway between CERFnet and
the FrEdMail Network.  The gateway uses file- serving capabilities based on the
USENET model of conferences and selected news feeds, allowing a great deal of
flexibility in linking FrEdMail users with other networks and educators on
other systems all over the world.  Fifteen selected FrEdMail sites will dial-up
directly to their local CERFnet terminal server, which will act as the regional
file server.  In the prototype phase, out-of-state FrEdMail hubs would be
linked directly to the server in San Diego via 800 service. 
	CERFnet also wants to promote this prototype gateway to colleges and
universities that want to serve their own local K-12 communities.  Our vision
is one of a national network of university academic computing labs that act as
local file servers to their regional K-12 FrEdMail sites, using existing
facilities and transportation networks. 
	
	For more information on FrEdMail, contact Al Rogers, executive
director, by electronic mail at alrogers@cerf.net or send a message to
help@cerf.net.