What is bandwidth and how does it impact content delivery? What does this mean for effectively using a tool that requires streaming or downloading? While you're at it, please differentiate between streamed versus downloaded content.
Bandwidth (computing), according to Wikipedia is “a rate of data transfer, bit rate or throughput, measured in bits per second (bps)”. The more bits per second available, the faster data moves. Bandwidth does play a role in streaming or downloading . What is considered a good bandwidth is around 800 kbps. When wireless is used, the bandwidth increases dramatically. In wireless systems, downloading files such as word docs, PPTs, or videos whether it is 3G or 4G, the impact is minimal. Where the impact is felt more is in streaming. When streaming occurs, live feeds are received. Streaming is much slower in 3G than in 4G. One wireless service provider response to my question about using Skype, said 4G would pick up audio and video, whereas 3G would only give the audio feed, not the video.
As for the desktop or laptop, bandwidth is provided the service provider (type of modem) and in all cases, the time of day the internet is used.. When there is heavy volume occurring on the internet, uploading, downloading and streaming are all affected. In some areas, peak times are 10am-9pm. This can be when the internet is the slowest. The best time to load much information would be early morning.
The way this information can help in education, I feel, it will help to identify the type of technology a student needs access to for a class which may be inclined to use live streams. Myself, I may take a second look at using the live streaming tool. I may use a synchronous tool without this ability for the time being, instead using text and or audio in a class setting. I don’t think I am going to wait too long though.
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