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2001 TECH CORPS News                                                                                              

2000 TECH CORPS News                                                                                    

1999 TECH CORPS News

1998 TECH CORPS News

1997 TECH CORPS News

High-tech Workers to Share Skills with Schools in California

October 11, 2001 -- In a working meeting of local teachers, education and community leaders, including former Assemblyman and EdVoice CEO Ted Lempert, TECH CORPS California launched new volunteer programs in Daly City, East Palo Alto, San Bruno, San Mateo and South San Francisco. TECH CORPS California is the state branch of the nationally recognized non-profit organization. Its acclaimed programs connect tech-savvy volunteers with educators and students on specific, technology-related projects. TECH CORPS' expansion throughout the state and Bay Area is due, in part, to the ongoing support of corporate sponsors. SBC Pacific Bell is funding the establishment of new volunteer programs designed to support on-going professional development initiatives in 15-20 elementary schools throughout the Bay Area. Coverage of this event was featured in the San Mateo County Times.

TECH CORPS Rhode Island and Brown University Perform Digital Divide Study

January 2001 -- Over the past several months, TECH CORPS Rhode Island assisted three Brown University students in conducting a study on the "Digital Divide" in Providence schools. Their completed work offers suggestions for bridging this divide and effective ways to educate teachers about computers and how to use them in their classrooms. This information is a very valuable source for teachers and their districts- click here: http://www.tcri.org/education-sites.htm#digdiv to download the file and see how you can utilize some of their suggestions.

NetDay Introduces NetDay Compass

October 26, 2000 -- The NetDayCompass www.NetDayCompass.org is the first, web-based directory of education technology resources designed to help decision-makers in K-12 schools maximize technology investments. This online guide contains high-quality ed tech resources to help schools make smart decisions about technology planning, infrastructure, funding, and classroom support. (press release)

TECH CORPS is a proud partner in National TechiesDay.
October 3, 2000 -- Created by CNET and techies.com, TechiesDay is a nationwide initiative to address the increasing demand for technology professionals in the US. As a project partner, TECH CORPS State Directors coordinated volunteers to go into schools across the country, to engage students in activities that emphasized technology career readiness and awareness. We are proud to say that TECH CORPS hosted close to 40 events in 15 different markets across the country! Some of the events are highlighted below:

* At Byrd Academy in Cabrini Green in Chicago, volunteers spoke to approximately 100 students from 6th through 8th grade classes. They stressed the importance of technology in their lives now and in the future, talked about the importance of staying in school and studying. They showed a web site from PBS which shows a house changing every year from 1900 to 1998. The students were fascinated by it.
* At Marconi Academy, volunteers simulated building a Web business and had the students assume the role of a typical project team.
* Lewisdale Elementary School, in Prince George's County Maryland hosted a wonderful "hands-on" activity with students and TechCorps MD volunteers, developing a Web-Page for the school.
* In Providence, RI, a supervisor from Cox Communications visited West Broadway Elementary School. She met with 25 5th graders, first speaking to them in their classroom and then the kids went out to the truck to see the equipment, the tools, and to learn about safety. The kids had a blast in the truck - one student even told her that he memorized her license plate, and that he was going to wave to her if he saw her on the road (then he asked her if she would wave back!).

To learn more about the TechiesDay events, see the national Press Release here. (Events Press Release)

In addition, the TechiesDay team partnered with the National Chamber Foundation to host the first ever Workforce Development Summit on October 3 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. This Summit brought together the foremost leaders in government, business and education to spotlight the best practices and solutions to better prepare young Americans for a technology-driven future. To learn more about the TechiesDay summit, click here (pre summit Release) and here (Post Summit Release).


Candidates Bush and Gore Answer Educators' Tough Questions

Education is one of the most important issues in this fall's United States Presidential election. Governor George W. Bush of Texas and Vice President Al Gore agree. With that in mind, the Microsoft Classroom Teacher Network (MCTN) invited 10 educators from across the U.S. to ask the candidates a question. Their questions range from merit pay to standards-based education. The candidates' responses provide valuable insight into their education viewpoints. The result is Campaign 2000 -- The Education Debate"- now live through Election Day on the Microsoft Classroom Teacher Network.

Microsoft thanks Vice President Gore and Governor Bush for participating in this important education forum. We are delighted to have the opportunity to present to you the candidates in this special education debate.

Tech Corps Submits e-Testimony to Web-based Education Commission.
September 2000 -- Tech Corps founder Gary Beach presented e-testimony to the Congressional Web-based Education Commission, recommending that Congress work in partnership with K-12 schools. Mr. Beach cited that through legislative and budgetary leadership, Congress has the "unique capability to encourage and support collaboration that will foster maximum innovation and leverage the greatest resources". He also stressed the importance of businesses offering employees release time in order to encourage volunteerism. For more of the e-testimonial, click here.
Acclaimed Teachers' Technology Resource webTeacher Now Available in Spanish!

July 2000 -- Washington, DC (June 26, 2000) - The acclaimed Internet tutorial webTeacher® -- available in English for three years -- is now also available in Spanish thanks to the translation work of the Puerto Rican government. In a partnership between TECH CORPS® and the National Cable Television Association, this self-paced Internet Tutorial puts both basic and in-depth information about the World Wide Web at your fingertips. See this exciting new version of webTeacher at www.webteacher.org/Espanol.
Tech Corps Presents Teacher Awards at NECC.

Atlanta, GA - June 27, 2000 -- At this year's National Educational Computing Conference,TECH CORPS recognized the efforts of two very dedicated teachers. Joan Goble and Susan Hedlund Flentie have been leaders in the successful application of technology in the classroom. In addition to creating innovative programs for their students, these teachers have been instrumental in the mentoring of other teachers.

Nominees for this Award were selected by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a national leader in supporting teachers and technology, and presented to TECH CORPS for evaluation.

CyberSurfari Summer 2000 - Get in the Game!

CyberSurfari kicks off their Summer Games! CyberSurfari is a FREE Internet treasure hunt, and TECH CORPS is participating by hosting one of the clues. The object of the CyberSurfari game is to find and submit as many treasures as possible. The more clues you solve, the better your chances of winning.

CyberSurfari is created by the Children’s Web Surfing Alliance, a non-profit charitable organization created to operate CyberSurfari.Org, a Web site devoted to educational development for teachers, students, and families regarding the vast opportunities and benefits available through strong online navigation skills.

Players can be individuals or school teams, and must exhibit incredible mental strength, perseverance, team work, deductive reasoning, and a keen knowledge of the Web to find the 100-plus treasures and "bits of knowledge" that await them through the CyberSurfari Summer 2000 game. Learn more at www.cybersurfari.org. Encourage kids and schools you work with to join the hunt this summer!

InDefense, Inc. Partners with TECH CORPS

Santa Cruz, CA and Boston, MA (June 8, 2000): InDefense, Inc. and TECH CORPS® announced today a joint initiative supporting increased protection and data security for computers in schools. Expanding its 1999 contribution, InDefense is donating thousands of copies of Achilles'ShieldTM, its advanced malicious code protection system software, to TECH CORPS member schools. Non-member K-12 schools will also be able to take advantage of a special educational rate. Click here for more information.

President Clinton Lauds techs4schools Program.


May, 2000 -- Compaq, in Partnership with TechCorps, Announced a $500,000 Commitment to Serve Native American and Other Schools Through Online Mentoring. The President announced a $500,000 commitment by Compaq Computer Corporation to partner with TechCorps to develop, pilot and support the nationwide launch of techs4schools, an online mentoring program that uses the Internet to join teachers with volunteer high-tech experts to advance the level of technological knowledge and support in our schools.

Apply today for Compaq's Teaching with Technology
Grant Program!

Compaq's 1999-2000 Teaching with Technology Grant Program recognizes K-12 educators from U.S. public, private and Department of Defense schools for their effective uses of technology to create challenging and inspiring learning opportunities for students.

The grant program provides educators national recognition for their work, the opportunity to share best practices with teachers around the country, and a chance to win Compaq products for their schools.

As an expansion of our national partnership with Compaq, TECH CORPS has been chosen to disseminate information, solicit applications, and facilitate the judging process, utilizing its vast industry resources. TECH CORPS will recruit distinguished leaders in education and technology to serve as judges for the program and will manage the application selection process. TECH CORPS is proud to be working with Compaq on this special program.

For more information or to apply online, visit: http://www.compaq.com/education/k12/success/devgrant_2000.html. The deadline for submissions is April 15, 2000. Winners will be notified in May 2000.
TECH CORPS / CIS Partnership Aims to Bridge Digital Divide
TECH CORPS and Communities In Schools, Inc., the nation's largest stay-in-school network, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, will begin working together to support students in schools where each has a presence in the community. The two organizations signed a Memorandum of Agreement that calls for TECH CORPS to help introduce CIS to its school sites, and for CIS to do the same. Additionally, TECH CORPS and CIS will make mutual plans to enter communities new to both, and to fund special projects to advance their missions.

 CIS's mission is to champion the connection of needed community resources with schools to help young people successfully learn, stay in school, and prepare for life. The CIS network is in 243 school districts in 32 states and the District of Columbia, serving over 1,500 schools. More than 1 million children and their families have access to services and resources thanks to Communities In Schools. The organization's strong commitment to helping students overcome the digital divide makes TECH CORPS a natural partner, said CIS, Inc. CEO Janet Longmore. "Our success with youth in this area depends on mobilizing the community's technology resources in exactly the way that TECH CORPS champions."
InDefense, Inc. Donates Virus Detection Software
to TECH CORPS
InDefense, Inc. has donated 20,000 product licenses for its InDefense Virus Protection System to TECH CORPS. These licenses will be used both internally to protect chapter offices, and externally through distribution to TECH CORPS schools. InDefense is also making another 10,000 licenses available to individual TECH CORPS volunteers in appreciation of their work.

"TECH CORPS is fulfilling an important need to our nation's school system, and we are proud to be in a position to assist them in their mission", said Steve Garfink, CEO of InDefense. For information on the InDefense virus protection system, visit www.indefense.com
Cruise Control Internet Guide for Kids and Families
On September 26th and 27th Ameritech shipped 14,000 Cruise Control CD-ROMs to schools in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Cruise Control, an Ameritech.net program, offers teachers and families a variety of safety-focused resources, including free CD-ROMs, a web site, seminars and comprehensive teacher training through TECH CORPS volunteers. Please visit www.ameritech.com/education/cruisecontrol for additional information.
International Symposium on Information
Executive Director Karen Smith delivered a keynote speech at the International Symposium on Information in Tokyo this month. The symposium is held annually and attended by approximately 1,000 members from Japan's corporate sector. This year's conference focused on the need to integrate and incorporate technology into Japan's classrooms. TECH CORPS was chosen by the "Yomiuri", a major Tokyo newspaper, to illustrate the United State's effort to promote technological literacy through strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Comp/USA Hearst Teach-in
In April and May, Comp USA, Hearst Publications, Epson and TECH CORPS collaborated to sponsor Internet workshops utilizing webTeacher's guided tour of the Internet. Parents and teachers from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco participated in the hands-on training seminars. Workshops were taught jointly by TECH CORPS members and Comp USA trainers. WebTeacher's in-depth tutorial lessons in homepage development, information security and accessibility, and the integration of Internet training into the curriculum of K-12 classrooms is available on-line at www.webteacher.org.
Addy Awards for TECH CORPS Ads

Weber Harris Witt created ads for TECH CORPS that have been recognized by the American Advertising Federation. Addy Awards will be presented for three creative ads in California, March 12, 1999. As the largest advertising awards program in the United States, the AAF includes 14 districts across the country.

The award-winning ads "Little Green Men," "Grants," and "Blackboard" can be viewed at techcorps.org/ads.

The Addy Awards program is a national competition conducted annually by the American Advertising Federation. Weber Harris Witt, an integrated marketing communications agency, is located in San Francisco.

 

Education Technology: The Public-Private Partnership
Washington, DC September 9, 1998
TECH CORPS was invited to exhibit in the Dirksen Senate Office Building for the second year in a row. Videoconferences connected several senators with students and teachers in schools in their respective states. webTeacher was demonstrated to attendees. Click here to view these activities on our Washington DC site. PictureTel provided equipment and support for the videoconferences, and Gateway 2000 supplied a computer. Click here for details.
TECH CORPS Leadership in the Classroom Awards
National Educational Computing Conference '98
San Diego
TECH CORPS presented Leadership in the Classroom awards to four educators who have successfully integrated technology into their classrooms. The following award recipients were selected by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), a national leader in supporting teachers and technology.
  • Terry Bailey, Pinkerton Academy, New Hampshire
  • Lindy Bingham, Conroe High School, Texas
  • Bill Lee, Winifred Public School, Montana
  • Peter Wholihan, Sts. Peter and Paul School, Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands
Equipment awards for each teacher included:
  • a HiNote laptop donated by Digital Equipment Corporation;
  • a camera and scanner from Polaroid Corporation;
  • a Micro Webserver from Cisco Systems; and
  • a year of Internet access from MCI
See press release for complete details.
TECH CORPS Honors
TECH CORPS web site nominated for a GII Award -- Third Annual Global Information Infrastructure US Awards
GII awards honor people in all areas of society and industry who use the Internet and network technology to create extraordinary results. GII awards honorees represent best practices and new models in a new era of knowledge and communication.
TECH CORPS Web Site recognized by Classroom Connect
"As technological advances increase and the Internet becomes more and more of a necessity in K-12 schools around the world, educators and administrators need help not only in obtaining the essential computer hardware and software, but in training schools to use the Net and other technologies effectively. That's where TECH CORPS comes in."
The Internet Driver's Ed Workshops
Co-sponsored by
AOL and The American Library Association
The Internet Driver's Ed program helps raise awareness of the safety tools parents and teachers can use to ensure a safe online experience for children. TECH CORPS volunteers will participate in a series of workshops throughout the country. Events will occur on Saturdays in Chicago, Boston, Denver, St. Louis, Miami, San Francisco and Dallas.
Tech Corps at COMDEX Spring '98
April 20-23rd - McCormick Place, Chicago TECH CORPS has been invited to participate in COMDEX Spring '98 April 20-23rd at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. COMDEX is generously supplying TECH CORPS with a completely equipped booth, while Gateway 2000 is providing computers for the booth along with all the necessary technical support. All audio visual needs are compliments of AVW Audio Visual, Inc.

 Visitors to TECH CORPS' booth #7953 will have an opportunity to sit at a computer and experience webTeacher, an Internet tutorial developed by teachers for teachers. webTeacher helps the novice or expert master the basics of the Internet. TECH CORPS representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the growing grass-roots organization, while revealing exciting volunteer opportunities available throughout the country.
TECH CORPS Honors John P. Morgridge of Cisco Systems With TECH CORPS Leadership in Technology Award BEDFORD, MA -- March 25, 1998 -- John P. Morgridge, Chairman of the Board of Cisco Systems, Inc., received the TECH CORPS Leadership in Technology Award from TECH CORPS at AIM Technology's Spring '98 Hot Iron Awards ceremony held at The National Press Club in Washington, DC. Complete details in the press release.
Donovan Group To Contribute Public Relations Services To TECH CORPS NORTHBOROUGH, MA -- March 18, 1998 -- Donovan Group will contribute public relations services to TECH CORPS, a national non-profit organization dedicated to giving America's students a chance to have the most technologically advanced education possible.
"TECH CORPS has many new and exciting things already underway in 1998-and we're convinced the best is yet to come," said Michael Donovan, Donovan Group President. "We are honored to be part of the TECH CORPS team."
Donovan Group's unique integrated marketing strategy is successfully meeting the needs of its high technology, financial services, and business-to-business clients by combining advertising, public relations, marketing, Internet, and design counsel and services. Donovan Group, a $20 million agency based in Northborough, MA is on the World Wide Web at www.donovangroup.com.
Complete details in the press release.

COMDEX Fall '97: A TECH CORPS Success Story Thanks to the hundreds of people who stopped by our booth to introduce themselves and learn about TECH CORPS, COMDEX in Las Vegas was a great success. We have been able to send a list of volunteers and/or sponsors to nearly every state chapter. So many folks from Nevada told us they will be glad to help organize a chapter that we know we will be returning to a TECH CORPS state for the Fall '98 show!

We owe a special thanks to SOFTBANK COMDEX who invited us to be their guest at the show. They gave us wonderful booth space as well as additional services to ensure a great experience. As always Digital Equipment Corporation was right there, doing all they could for TECH CORPS. They provided our computers and the technical support we required. We appreciate having had this opportunity to work with both organizations.


Creamer Dickson Basford Contributes Public Relations Services "TECH CORPS has been called the technology 'Peace Corps' of the U.S. classroom. We're all very proud at Creamer Dickson Basford to be able to be part of TECH CORPS' vision…," said Jean Farinelli, Creamer Dickson Basford chairman, CEO and president. "All four offices, in New York, Boston, Pittsburgh and Irvine, CA, will contribute professional service to the effort." Creamer Dickson Basford is the North American public relations anchor for Havas Advertising, the 8th largest communications holding company in the world.

 "We at TECH CORPS are delighted to be associated with Creamer Dickson Basford," declared Karen Smith, executive director. "Don Goncalves of the Boston office is leading the multi-office team to provide TECH CORPS with optimum resources. We look forward to working with Creamer Dickson Basford to build public-private partnerships and enlist volunteers to prepare students and teachers technologically for the 21st century."

TECH CORPS Web Site Recognized The TECH CORPS Web site was chosen by Bell Atlantic / NYNEX to be featured at the President's historic Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia, April 27-29. "Your program is one of 12 exhibitions chosen to demonstrate the potential of new communications technologies to multiply the power of America's voluntary organizations for the 3,400 Summit delegates," says Suzanne DuBose, Executive Director of the NYNEX Foundation.

Internet Online Summit Karen Smith represented TECH CORPS at the recent Internet Online Summit that was held in Washington, DC. Representatives from the telecommunication industry, government, education, law-enforcement, and public interest and family advocate groups focused on ways to help ensure that the use of the Internet by children is safe, educational and entertaining. Visit http://www.kidsonline.org/, the Summit website, for additional information.

 A "Parents Guide to the Internet" was released by Vice President Gore at the Summit to help parents & families -- regardless of their technological know-how -- use the Internet as a tool for learning. It can be downloaded at http://www.ed.gov/pubs /parents/internet/.

TECH CORPS Honors Secretary Riley and Four Outstanding Teachers

New York City, May 20 -- Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley received the TECH CORPS' "Leadership in Technology" award declaring him to be the "#1 TECH CORPS Volunteer in recognition of his personal commitment to today's students and the effective use of technology in their schools." The award was one of the highlights of the TECH CORPS Leadership Awards Banquet in New York City on May 19th.

Four outstanding K-12 teachers were presented TECH CORPS' Leadership in the Classroom awards for their innovative integration of technology into their classroom and curriculum. Penny Everage, Edison Freire, Kay Greenhaw, and Steve Rothenberg were selected by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). They were evaluated on their exemplary, creative, innovative, and broadly infused use of technology in their classrooms, as well as their leadership in mentoring other teachers.

 In recognition of the importance of the work of these teachers, the Leadership in the Classroom awards, and the use of technology in the classroom, major industry corporations donated gifts for each award winner to help them further technology excellence in their classroom. The gifts included a HiNote Ultra II laptop computer from Digital Equipment Corporation, a camera and scanner from Polaroid Corporation, a Micro Webserver from Cisco Systems, one year of Internet access and e-mail from MCI Communications Corporation, and a one year honorary membership and a set of resource books from ISTE. TECH CORPS commends these companies and organizations for their support of educational technology.

Click here for more information.

TECH CORPS NJ Highlighted in Governor Whitman's State of the State Report
 Trenton, NJ, Mar. 25 -- In the State of the State Report, New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman declared, "Caring, competent, and creative teachers will always be the most valuable resource in any public school. To gain the greatest benefit from their talent, however, teachers must be able to employ the best available tools of education, including high technology."
 To assure that teachers will have the opportunity to effectively include high technology in their classrooms the Governor signed a bill that will create an Educational Technology Training Center for Teachers in each of the 21 counties in the state. "Our teachers must be trained in the latest technological advances so they can impart this knowledge to their students," said Governor Whitman. "If we are not producing quality graduates, our companies will not be able to compete in the world economy." The State of the State Report validated the importance of private/public partnerships when it highlighted the creation of the New Jersey chapter of TECH CORPS. Governor Whitman wrote, "At a Business-Education Summit, the state's business community stepped forward to create TECH CORPS New Jersey, a cadre of technology experts who will volunteer to develop customized technology plans for schools and train teachers." The Prudential Corporation, Bell Atlantic, Peat Marwick LLP, and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce demonstrated their commitment to bring educational technology into the classroom through their sponsorship of TECH CORPS New Jersey. The organizational efforts of TECH CORPS New Jersey have been led by a group of talented, committed individuals who want to see students performing at the highest possible standard of excellence.

Recognizing the potential impact of the Educational Technology Training Centers and TECH CORPS New Jersey, Governor Whitman went on to say, "These initiatives will help us . . . support our teachers in helping students reach high academic standards." TECH CORPS New Jersey and the Educational Technology Training Centers expect to become a model of private/public partnership in their collaboration to offer training in the effective use of educational technology.

CoSN Conference Features TECH CORPS Leaders

Effective professional development, quality content, funding, connnectivity, and technical issues were the focus points of the annual Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference held in Washington DC on March 16-18. Key local, state, and national policy and technology decision-makers joined members of leading education associations, K-12 teachers, university faculty and representatives from the private sector. They participated in sessions that addressed new and existing educational technology initiatives and identified the opportunities and impediments that exist for schools in the digital future.
Dr. James Bosco, newly elected Vice Chair of CoSN and TECH CORPS coordinator in Michigan, moderated a session on innovative state leadership on educational statewide networks. Working with community volunteers was the topic of the session Karen Smith, Executive Director of TECH CORPS, moderated. John Cradler of the Council of Chief State School Officers and TECH CORPS in California., was invited to moderate the session about working with state regulators to gain affordable access.

 Carol Hyatt of TECH CORPS in Maryland was a speaker in working with community volunteers, while Rick Normington, representing PacBell and the California Chapter of TECH CORPS, spoke in a session about effective public/private partnership. These two topics are cornerstones of TECH CORPS' mission. In addition Greg Marks from Merit Network of Michigan and TECH CORPS in Michigan, and Clay Epstein of UtahLink and TECH CORPS Utah shared their expertise as speakers on the topic of innovative state leadership on educational statewide networks. Barbara Helland of Oakridge National Laboratory and the Iowa chapter of TECH CORPS addressed using the resources of federal agencies in your classroom. TECH CORPS commends these individuals for their willingness to act as advocates for students and educators and the use of educational technology in the classroom.

TECH CORPS and Technology Visionaries Lauded by Vice President Gore

TECH CORPS was founded on the premise of combining volunteerism and private/public partnerships to meet the challenge of ensuring that Americas students have access to the most technologically advanced education possible. In celebration of its first anniversary, TECH CORPS honored four technology visionaries with Leadership in Technology Awards. At a White House reception, Vice President Gore recognized Thomas Wheeler (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association), Robert Palmer (Digital Equipment Corporation), Bert Roberts (MCI Communications Corporation), and Gary Beach (Computerworld, Inc) for their leadership as the Founding National Sponsors of TECH CORPS. It came as a surprise to no one but Gary Beach when Al Gore lauded him as the recipient of the Special Leadership in Technology Award in recognition of his foresight and drive as the founder of TECH CORPS.
Speaking of the importance of business and education working together to achieve the goal of spreading educational technology throughout the country, Gore said "TECH CORPS seized on this whole opportunity and really ran with it. When you look back on all that's been done, it is almost impossible to believe that it has all been accomplished in only one year. It illustrates how the new ways of thinking, the new ways of organizing human endeavor, the new kinds of partnerships that we're seeing emerge in the Information Age, get things done faster and better and more efficiently when people care and when men and women believe in the vision and are really anxious to be a part of it. And that's you. You've done it, and it's really incredible."

 TECH CORPS volunteers, working within the framework of the organization in 37 states, establish long-term relationships in local schools throughout the country. The needs of the schools are matched with the talents and interests of these volunteers who offer their technological expertise. We invite corporate America to support TECH CORPS and its volunteers as together we bring technology into today's classrooms to ensure that our children and economy will thrive in the 21st century. (Full text of the Vice President's speech.)

TECH CORPS Rhode Island Organizes First-ever Internet Video-conference for Students and Senator Reed

Thanks to organizational assistance from TECH CORPS Rhode Island and technical help of volunteers from Aquidneck Management Associates, LTD, students at Portsmouth High School had the opportunity to ask Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) questions face-to-face. The students in Mr. Ray Masse's U.S. History Class were at school, and the senator was on his lunch hour in Washington, D.C.when he was welcomed into their classroom. The students and Senator Reed used an inexpensive desktop video-conferencing software called CU-SeeMe.

 Commissioner of Education Peter McWalters was in the classroom to congratulate the Portsmouth High School students on being the first students in Rhode Island to consult their Senator by video-conferencing on the Internet. The potential for using the Internet to bring experts, whether they be senators or scientists, into the classroom is enormous.

 This fall, Portsmouth High School students began using the Internet over a high speed NYNEX digital line, a significant upgrade from last year's slower dial-up access. Approximately 100 schools in Rhode Island have now taken advantage of the free high speed lines that NYNEX offers to RI schools as part of a tariff agreement. In October, Portsmouth High School received one of 10 TECH CORPS Rhode Island grants that extended their Internet wiring to additional classrooms in the building.

Senator Reed spoke with the students from the offices of Highway 1, a nonprofit organization located near the U.S. capitol and dedicated to helping congressional delegations use technology to communicate with their constituencies.

 The video-conference was organized by Jill Lesh, director of TECH CORPS Rhode Island, a new nonprofit organization whose mission it is to mobilize the resources of the business community to help schools meet their technology needs.
As a result of this event, Aquidneck Management Associates is working with the Portsmouth High School computer lab to set up a pilot internship program for students this spring. Students would do HTML programming after school with professional website designers at Aquidneck Management Associates.

TECH CORPS's Technical Consultants Keep Watch Over Site

FRAMINGHAM, Mar. 6 -- Dr. Michael Guidry is Professor of Physics at the University of Tennessee and a Research Scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research interests include theoretical astrophysics, group theory and group algebras applied to the many-body problem, computational physics, and Web technologies for education at the University and K-12 levels. Dr. Wayne Kincaid is a consultant in Web technologies at the University of Tennessee and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory with a Ph. D. in theoretical nuclear physics. He specializes in the development of Web-based educational material for all levels of education.

 

 
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