The
Education Connection Project
Workforce Development Technology Support and Training
Computer Assembly, Delivery, Technical Support, Training
Can we demonstrate a sustainable and community based model of offering sustainable and affordable computer assembly, configuration, support and training to students, teachers and families?
Approach: Without sustainable and cost-effective technical training and support, the infrastructure is worthless. The Education Connection seeks to use a variety of service-learning and other programs to ensure reliable and effective computer assembly, configuration, delivery, support and training of students, teachers and parents.
After several years of experimenting with different assembly and support models, one of the recommendations that has consistently come back has been that the same individual should be responsible for the building, the configuration, the support and the training. By partnering with local programs to build and support the computers we are building local capacity. By requiring an individual to support the computer that he or she builds we are teaching issues of quality and responsibility. By requiring an individual to train the students who are using the computer on everything from the operating system to web page development, we are giving the individual the opportunity to learn new and challenging technologies.
Last year, we utilized the expertise of alumni of the TECHCORPS Urban Technology Project in Philadelphia to repair the computers that were used this year. This year, we will be listening to the advice of the last few years and will be partnering with service-learning programs in each of the regions. In Seaford, Wilmington and possibly Philadelphia, we will be partnering with a high school and will be giving 2 individual students the responsibility of the assembly, delivery, support and training for one or two classes of specific classrooms of students. As part of these activities, the students will be paid a stipend as part of a year long service learning school-based program.
Partners: Electric Schoolhouse, DCANet, Americorps Kickstart Program, Urban Technology Project, Public Allies of Delaware
Suggestions & Questions -
Page last updated on 08/13/00
Send comments to the Education Connection Project Director, Jay Cohen
