No bathrooms on the bottom...

Technology educators and administrators in the State of Ohio have the great benefit of an exceptional state-level support agency - eTech Ohio (formerly Ohio SchoolNet). This agency has a long track record of support for school technology initiatives, from it's inception as Ohio SchoolNet when it provided funding for districts to install network cabling infrastructure that began the explosion of K-12 technology programs, through the SchoolNet Plus program that provided funding for the purchase of student computers, to it's current incarnation that merges the K-12 technology role with other existing state agencies such as public television.

One of the key services provided by "the new eTech" is the annual State Technology Conference, one of the premiere events in the industry. Held in February of each year, this conference provides individual sessions in everything from technology management and leadership to assistive technologies for special needs students. And, of course, there are always notable keynote speakers.

I have been interested in oceanography and marine biology ever since taking up scuba diving during a trip to The Bahamas when I was 11. By 11 1/2 I had my scuba certification (I was big for my age; at the time you weren't supposed to be eligible for your certification until you were 15), and I spent a lot of time underwater for a lot of years. So, I was excited to learn that one of the keynote speakers for the 2008 conference was Bob Ballard: oceanographer, explorer, and "finder of the Titanic."

Dr. Ballard gave a very engaging presentation, and provided some very interesting insights into the impact technology is having in his field of expertise. While there was the obvious required technology, such as submersibles that allow humans to survive temperature extremes or descend well below the depths that could be tolerated by a scuba diver, it was technology's "remote access" capabilities that are now offering the most exciting benefits. After a very humorous account of a typical day before remote access, which could include a "commute" of several hours straight down in a cramped submersible with no bathroom facilities, he said that the technology that allowed him to remain on the topside research vessel (with bathroom)was a huge step forward for all oceanographers. The remote vehicle, carrying cameras and other information-gathering devices, could now make the commute without him while he stayed in the relative comfort of the mother ship.

The real impact of remote monitoring, however, is just now starting to be realized. Dr. Ballard described a technological world in which the data collection vehicle can be literally anywhere, and the top experts in any field can view that information real-time via High Definition Television (HDTV) and data monitors that can, if needed, exactly duplicate the environment of the researcher sitting in that cramped, "sans facilities" submersible. A submersible studying underwater volcanoes off Hawaii, for instance, can simultaneously provide realtime data to a top vulcanologist in Australia and a top marine biologist in France, with both having access to data equal to what they would have onsite - without the indignities.

Of course, we all know that the major technological benefit of HDTV is an improved viewing experience for Big 10 football games, but it's nice to know there are also minor side-benefits to the technology such as those described by Dr. Ballard.