In
this issue
- Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT)
Competitive Application for Funds
- "The Digital Disconnect: The Widening Gap Between
Internet-savvy Students and Their Schools"
- Sites
Donating Free Hardware and Software
- "New Online Tool
Will Help Schools Budget for Technology" by eSchool
News
-
Pennsylvania Digital Divide Initiative
-
New grants and awards
1.Enhancing Education
Through Technology (EETT) Competitive Application for Funds : The
Enhancing Education Through Technology program consolidates the current
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund (TLCF) and Technology Innovation Challenge
Grant programs into a single state educational technology program. The funding
for EETT has been allocated to two grants-formula and competitive. In
Pennsylvania, approximately $10.5 million has been awarded through formula
grants to LEAs according to their percentages of Title I students. Approximately
$10.5 million dollars in competitive grant funds will be awarded to eligible PA
LEAs on the basis of an e-peer review selection process. Pennsylvania
anticipates releasing additional funds to the selected projects in 2003. The due
date for submission has been scheduled for September 30, 2002.
2.The Digital
Disconnect: "The Widening Gap Between Internet-savvy Students and Their
Schools"
Little is known about student use of the Internet for schoolwork or their
knowledge about the broader learning that can take place online. Nor has there
been much exploration of the consequences of teenagers' technology aptitude for
educators, policymakers, and parents. To address this issue, the American
Institutes for Research was commissioned by the Pew Internet & American Life
Project to conduct a qualitative study of the attitudes and behaviors of
Internet-using public middle and high school students drawn from across the
country. Researchers found that
students
wanted better coordination of their out-of-school educational use of the
Internet with classroom activities,
students urged
schools to increase significantly the quality of access to the Internet in
schools,
students
believed that professional development and technical assistance for teachers are
crucial for effective integration of the Internet into curricula.
students thought
that schools should place priority on developing programs to teach keyboarding,
computer, and Internet literacy skills.
students wanted high-quality online information to complete school
assignments be freely available, easily accessible, and age-appropriate-without
undue limitation on students' freedoms. To read the complete report visit the
website.
3.Interested in Sites Donating Free Hardware and Software? This List Can Help
You:
Hardware and Software
Computers
for Learning is CFL website that connects the registered needs of schools
and educational nonprofit organizations with available Government computer
equipment.
Computer
Recycling Programs are a State, National and International Directory of
agencies that facilitate donations of used computer hardware for schools and
community groups
Share
the Technology is a group that connects donors with organizations seeking
computer equipment through a national computer donation database.
The
National Cristina Foundation provides computer technology and solutions
to give people with disabilities, students at risk and economically
disadvantaged persons the opportunity, through training, to lead more
independent and productive lives.
Sites for Nonprofits To Access Software at Reduced Prices:
www.1computerbargains.com
offers software and hardware at bargains for non profits
Gifts
in Kind donates products and services to
over 50,000 charities and schools worldwide
techsoup
is a comprehensive source of technology information and products just for
nonprofit organizations
TechFoundation
delivers technology, expertise, and capital to help nonprofit organizations
harness the power of information technology
Microsoft
Open Licensing
is a software volume licensing program designed for corporate, government,
charity, and academic customers who order at least five licenses. After the
initial order, customers may benefit from volume pricing for all licenses for
the remainder of the two-year term of their Open License authorization number.
