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Archive for the ‘Net Literacy’ Category
Net Literacy Computer Distribution Map for Indiana
With the support of Bright House Networks, Intel, and the Techpoint Foundation, Net Literacy continues to expand its partnership with the Indiana Association of United Ways. In 2010, Net Literacy provided 4,000 computers to 17 counties in Indiana, and has provided over 12,000 computers to schools, libraries, and other nonprofits during the last three years alone.
“Since January of 2011, Net Literacy has already provided over three hundred computers to thirteen counties, and we are on track to donate another 4,000 computers to schools, libraries, and other nonprofits this year. Through our partnership with the Indiana Department of Administration, and organizations including Carmel Clay Schools, the City of Indianapolis, the Town of Fishers, Angie’s List, Marsh, and the Carmel Clay Library, in addition to hundred of individual donations, teams of student volunteers in over 20 schools throughout Indiana will all be helping to reduce the digital divide and increasing digital inclusion. It’s a team effort,” says Daniel Kent. “We have more than 500 computers that have been dedicated to our initiative with the United way that will increase computer access in at least 17 additional counties this year, and that excludes 750 additional computers being made available to schools through our partnership with the IDOE, IDOA, and IOT.”
For more information, contact Daniel Kent at [email protected]
Net Literacy Presents at the North Dakota Association of Telecommunication Cooperatives’ 2010 Annual Meeting
Net Literacy was invited to address 150 members of the North Dakota Association of Telecommunication Cooperatives’ annual meeting in December, 2010. The NDATC serves 158,000 customers and supports digital inclusion and digital literacy as a matter of good public policy, keeping rural America vital, and enriching the lives of thousands of North Dakota residents. Net Literacy makes its content available to all state associations that are members of the USIIA.
For additional information, contact [email protected]
Financial Connects Program Continues Through June 30, 2011!
Good news – the Financial Connects Scholarship Contest will continue through June 30, 2010!
Learn more by clicking on the Financial Connects Award tab on this website.
Questions – contact Daniel Kent at [email protected]
Indiana Department of Education, Office of Technology, and Department of Administration Partner with Net Literacy
The Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Office of Technology, and Indiana Department of Administration Partner with Net Literacy
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The Indiana Department of Education, the Indiana Office of Technology, and Indiana Department of Administration have partnered with Net Literacy in a new initiative to provide 15 additional schools computers during CY 2011.
During the last three years (CY2008 through CY2010), Net Literacy’s student volunteers have provided over 12,000 computers to schools and nonprofits.
Safe Connects Internet Safety Training Teaches 12,000 High School Students
Safe Connects Training
Watch the 30 minute Internet safety training video created by Net Literacy student volunteers that’s being used by Indianapolis Public Schools to teach each of the 12,000 high school students receiving netbooks Internet safety. Later during the 2010-2011 school year, Safe Connects training will be taught by IPS high school students to an additional 5,000 3rd graders and 6th graders in a series of school presentations by high school Net Literacy student volunteers to their feeder elementary schools. Other school districts and nonprofits across the country also use Safe Connects Internet safety training materials. Watch the video by clicking on the image above or this link.
Students comprised 50% of Net Literacy Board of Directors, and student board members from T. C. Howe and New Tech High at Arsenal Tech serve as hosts, and the Public Service Announcements (PSAs) include student volunteers from Decatur Central School of IDEAS, Carmel High School, T.C. Howe, and New Tech High at Arsenal Tech.
Safe Connects is a program where students talk to other students about Internet safety in students’ own words. All of the content was written by student volunteers and reviewed by principals, parents, PTAs, and the the Indiana Department of Education. Net Literacy student volunteers also scripted and stared in the PSAs. However, Net Literacy is responsible for all content and materials.
In 2009, the Indiana General Assembly passed House Resolution 95 – which encouraged all Indiana Public, Education, and Government Channel to carry Net Literacy’s Safe Connects programing and other Internet safety content.
100,000s of individuals have viewed Net Literacy PSAs on Bright House Networks cable systems and broadcast stations. Bright House Networks helped fund and has provided Net Literacy student volunteers public service announcement avails so that we can get the word out about Internet safety. Thanks Bright House Networks!
For more information, contact [email protected]
An Email From a Parent
One of six Net Literacy's summer programs
This is an email from a parent whose 4th grade child is on a free lunch program and did not have a computer at home. Her daughter just received a Net Literacy computer so that she could complete homework assignments.
Dear _________,
I wanted to let you know what was on my computer. I have to say my computer came with everything a person could need to get started.
• It had OpenOffice.org which is a free office software that does everything Microsoft Office does including databases and you can save files in just about any office format.
• It also had AVG 9 Free Version, which is antivirus software. You can advise parents that there is an updated version called AVG2011 Free version available at download.cnet.com.
• the operating system is Windows XP, and IE 8.
• The RAM is 512, which the minimum to run XP effectively. I opened mine up and found that the RAM can be increased to above 700. In otherwords, it’s fast but you make it zoom.
• Another plus is if you live in an area with free wi-fi, there is space to insert a wi-fi pc card or you use a UBS adapter to connect to the internet depending on how comfortable you are with taking a computer apart. Its a great machine.
• Net Literacy really hooked it up! Thanks !
Thanks you!
__________
Computer Connects Continues to Provide Computers to Increase Students Success and Digital Literacy
Bright House Networks Delivering Computers
Computer Connects is one of Net Literacy’s six core programs, and during the last three years alone, over 11,000 computers have been donated to schools, churches, libraries, senior centers, community centers, and other nonprofits. In 2010, over 500 computers have also been donated to 95 United Way agencies in 18 counties as part of a partnership with the Indiana Association of United Ways and Net Literacy.
Today, 33 schools ordered 3,300 computers for the 2010-2011 school year, which will enable Net Literacy’s student chapters to continue to provide computers to schools and nonprofits.
Last month, Bright House Networks donated their 5,000th computer to schools under the Net Literacy program since they began supporting this program in 2003. The Techpoint Foundation donated $4,000 (out of $12,000 grant) to enable Net Literacy to provide computers for computer labs in youth-related organizations throughout the State. The Techpoint Foundation has supported Net Literacy since 2004. The Department of Education is considering providing funding to enable Net Literacy to expand this program to additional schools around the State. Lt. Governor Becky Skillman (a Net Literacy Honorary Board Member) has asked Net Literacy’s student volunteers to provide additional technology to Indiana’s rural counties, and Net Literacy’s student volunteers are working to increase access and honor her request.
For more information, contact [email protected]
Net Literacy to Speak at Broadband Expo
In Dallas on November 1-3, the Broadband Expo will focus on rural broadband and is geared for broadband providers, government, businesses, and other stakeholders!
The Broadband Expo
This Expo will provide the emphasis on rural broadband that has been only but a small segment at other events. This is an event that provides educational sessions and an exhibit hall that focus on the full range of both challenges and opportunities to facilitate an efficient expansion of service in the rural market place. For more information, click on this LINK.
Net Literacy will be speaking at the Expo discussing the Digital Literacy “best practices” site, and Josh Miles of MILES design will be on a panel discussing marketing. This is an important conference to attend – especially if you are interested in rural broadband.
Financial Connects Contest Site Launches
Financial Connects Contest site adds to the excitement of the Contest
While the information has been posted at the Net Literacy Alliance website, this site more eloquently depicts the excitement and potential the contest provides contestants that choose to compete. Contest updates are available at the Financial Connects Contest tab on the Net Literacy Alliance website (and take presidence over the contest website that is at http://contest.financialconnects.org.
A special thanks to Net Literacy Chief Technology Office Brian Kelley that posted this site (and posts all of our websites) – one of his many responsibilities that range from developing “one click” slipstream CDs to facilitate computer repurposing to deciding on the “best of class” technology Net Literacy programs use. Brian Kelley first volunteered in the Senior Connects program, later was selected to lead the Computer Connects program, was elected Student Chair of Net Literacy; and now serves as CTO, member of the Student Executive Committee, and member of the Board of Directors.
Supporters, grantors, and funders include:
State Farm Insurance – through their financial support of almost $100,000 allowed us to award 100 prizes and build a national financial literacy website.
Intel – through their financial support helped us significantly increase the number of prizes awarded
Bright House Networks – through their financial support and PSAs to help us build the prototype website and publicize the contest
Lilly Endowment – through their financial support that enabled us to prove the concept, fund two summer programs engaging more than 40 students, and build the prototype that resulted in additional grants from State Farm Insurance and Intel
Old National Bank – through their financial support and assistance discussing financial literacy with student volunteers
Lilly & Company – provided pro bono legal counsel that ensured our contest rules were accurate and correct
Community Development Law Center – for coordinated legal review of the contest
Josette Starks-Van – who graciously donated her time to build the site
Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett and The Indiana Department of Education – for their support and encouraging participation by sending letters to all principals and superintendents
Chairman of the House Education Committee Representative Greg Porter – who helped explain the legislation to the students and created a video for the site
Net Literacy student volunteers – that spent their summer creating 40 videos to prove the viability of the financial connects website concept
Special thanks to CTO Brian Kelley – who build the Net Literacy Alliance website where the contest rules are posted
Techpoint Foundation Increases Funding to Net Literacy by 50%
Techpoint Foundation
The Techpoint Foundation was instrumental in the creation of Net Literacy, providing Net Literacy its first funding by matching a grant from Bright House Networks in 2004. Since then, the Techpoint Foundation has continued to support Net Literacy by also providing mentoring, guidance, and advocacy. In 2005, Techpoint Foundation Vice Chair Marv Bailey joined the Net Literacy Board of Directors and in 2009, Techpoint Foundation Board member Damon Richards joined the Net Literacy Board of Directors.
In 2009, Net Literacy’s Student Executive Committee (Will Petrovic, Brian Kelley, and Daniel Kent) submitted an $8,000 grant request which supported 20 of Net Literacy chapters’ volunteering efforts. The chapters also competed for four $1,000 grants and the winning schools’ programs ranged from conducting summer camps that repurposed hundreds of computers and constructed a website, to teaching hundreds of elementary school students Internet safety skills. The Student Executive Committee was also involved in the selection and awarding of the grants to the chapters.
In 2010, Net Literacy’s Student Executive Committee requested last year’s combination of chapter mini-grants and $1000 grants be continued, and also applied for an additional $4,000 to help expand the use of technology to youth-oriented nonprofits in rural Indiana interested in building or expanding computer labs, for a $12,000 grant request.
The additional $4,000 will enable Net Literacy to continue its program of increasing computer access throughout the State, as requested by Net Literacy Honorary Board member Lt. Governor Skillman in 2009. Working with the Indiana Association of United Ways, Net Literacy has distributed 500 computers to 17 United Ways serving 85 agencies to date in 2010 – and the Techpoint Foundation’s additional funding, together with funding from Intel, will enable the program to expand into more than a dozen new counties during the 2010-2011 school year.
Please contact [email protected] for additional information.