"How education can be enhanced through the utilization of broadcast, online, and computer technologies in both the home and school"

WHYY is proud to be associated with SoundPrint Media Center in Washington, DC; WHRO in Norfolk, Virginia; Mississippi Educational Television; and Louisiana Public Broadcasting in the National Education Forecast Collaborative. With funding from a $5.5 million U.S. Department of Education Technology Innovation Challenge Grant, each member of the collaborative will be adapting or developing, and then sharing, standards-based educational content that utilizes technology in new and innovative ways. First, in each of our own regions, we will focus on a specific academic grade and content area. Later we will share what we have learned in order to present a cohesive approach for the use of technology in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

In Delaware, we are embarking on our third year of computer delivery. Last year, One hundred and sixty three students and eight teachers participated. Every student received a completely refurbished multimedia computer to take home that included Microsoft Windows95 and Microsoft Office along with an Internet and email account from DCANet. In order to take advantage of this technology, the students received custom lessons developed by The University of Delaware Math and Science Education Resource Center, and technology training by Public Allies of Delaware and LibertyNet.

In the coming year, we will be working with the 5th grade classes at St. Thomas Elementary School and St. Paul's Elementary School, a 6th grade class at Drew-Pyle Communications School, and two 6th grade classes at Seaford Middle School. In addition, we will be sharing our experiences with the Capital School District's Technology Challenge Grant and our national partners while expanding our outreach efforts to include more parent and community participation. Below is a list of the activities funded by the Education Connection Project.

• A computer refurbishing project is integral to providing low-cost technology into the homes of students and teachers. The Education Connection will be purchasing large quantities of new and used computer components and configuring them for optimum performance with the help of Data Systems Plus, The Delaware Americorps Kickstart Program, The Urban Technology Project and The Philadelphia Re-Use Collaborative. In addition, DCANet will be providing safe Internet access for all of the students and teachers through Websense filtering technology.
  
  
• Presentation & Computer technology is necessary in today’s classroom. Each school participating in the project received $2500 worth of equipment and software to be used in the classroom. Examples of equipment and software purchased last year includes scanners, CUSeeMe video cameras, Digital Cameras, 31" presentation computer monitors, computers, VCRs, monitor stands, color printers, and TV/Computer converter boxes. In addition, all classrooms will receive supplies and CDROM software during this upcoming year.
  
  
• Student computer and Internet training will be provided by Electric Schoolhouse. Starting with September trainings in the WHYY studios for every student and parent involved in the project, The Electric Schoolhouse will gradually transition to online virtual trainings this year. Throughout the year, the students are expected to cover Microsoft Windows98 and Microsoft Office as well as the use of the Internet. By the end of the school year, the students will be designing and putting together their own web pages.
  
  
• Outreach activities will be expanded this year with the help of an Ally from Public Allies of Delaware. By focusing on bringing parents and the community together, we hope that parents will take a greater part in the educational process. In the end, we expect that the result will be better academic achievement for the students.
  
  
• The Middle School Standards-Based Content/Activity Development team is headed by University of Delaware’s Math and Science Educational Resource Center. Along with teachers from St. Thomas Elementary School and Seaford Middle School, they have developed four standards-based middle school Mathematics and Science activities that take advantage of the technologies in the school and at home.  This year, we expect to add four more activities while we begin to focus on adapting activities that are already being used in the teachers' classrooms.
  
  
• Professional development for the teachers will be provided by the Math & Science Education Resource Center at the University of Delaware and the Electric Schoolhouse through web-based Electric Schoolhouse software and a series of teacher meetings. The web-based software will allow teachers to put together lesson plans, develop questionaires and utilize web-based content that has been rated for its educational value. Ultimately, the teachers will transition their University of Delaware meetings to Electric Schoolhouse's online Chats and Bulletin Boards.
  
  
• Comprehensive evaluation for the Education Connection Project has been provided by Research for Better Schools. In the past years, evaluation has included interviews with all of the students, parents, and teachers of the Education Connection Project. This year, we will continue our interviews while we also evaluate specific student outcomes.