The
Education Connection Project
Workforce Development Technology Support and Training
Summer Computer Assembly
Approach: Before low cost computers can be delivered into the homes of families, the computers must be assembled and configured to use identical hardware and software. We, in the WHYY Education Connection Project believe that the best way of assembling and configuring the computers is to hire the people that will be doing the computer delivery, support and training throughout the year. So in the August, before school begins, the computers are built and configured by high school technology Interns to match the software that is already being used in the classrooms in the school.
Partners: Electric Schoolhouse, DCANet, Americorps Kickstart Program, Urban Technology Project, Public Allies of Delaware
Assembly Actvities: Starting in June, a prototype configuration will be tested by 2 specific high school students in Seaford, Wilmington and possibly Philadelphia. It is vital that every computer in for each classroom of computers be identical in software and hardware. After an approval, the complete shipment of computer parts will be sent to each regional site for assembly in July and August. Once assembled and tested, the computers will remain at the high school until the delivery day sometime in September. Each student will be responsible for building computers for at least one classroom of students. The actual number will equal the number of students in the class plus the number of teachers involved plus the number of computers needed in the classroom plus 20% for extra parts and spares. It is estimated that a computer can be built in 1½ hours and the students will be given a stipend of $10 for every computer built. The supervisors will divide up $5 per computer, $5 per computer will be reserved for equipment and an additional $5 will be reserved for train-the-trainer training that will probably be paid to the supervisor and used for training materials.
Suggestions & Questions - It is strongly recommended that the individual that builds the computer should also be responsible for supporting it and training the people that receive it. This is a fairly unusual request to put on a support and training organization but check out Urban Tech, NTR and the high schools in the area. Be willing to spend some time figuring out how this is truly an educational and service learning experience for the technician and not a way of saving money for your organization. The cost of support includes computer building, delivery, technical support, onsite training and lab expenses and is calculated at about $20 per hour (less than half goes to the technician) for a total cost of about $150 per computer delivered.
Timeline Assembly & Configuration |
July |
Deliver prototype computers to Interns for testing |
August |
Computers are delivered to schools where Interns assemble and configure them Computers are assembled and placed in storage in school |
Page last updated on 08/13/00
Send comments to the Education Connection Project Director, Jay Cohen
