Fairfax County, VA -- beginning, a computer and broadband Internet for every student

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Gene Gaines <gene.gaines () gainesgroup com>
> Date: March 12, 2010 9:21:30 AM EST
> To: Internet Society US Chapters discuss list <isoc-us () isoc-ny org>,  
> dave <dave () farber net>
> Cc: Joly MacFie <joly () punkcast com>
> Subject: Fairfax County, VA -- beginning, a computer and broadband  
> Internet for every student

> Farfax County, Virginia is quietly beginning a program to equip  
> every school child with a computer and a broadband Internet  
> connection at home.
>
> Fairfax County is rich, has a high penetration of Internet access at  
> homes, but there is still a significant population of low-income  
> families without computers at home.
>
> We hope to provide every one of the students in low-income homes  
> with a reasonable computer and broadband Internet.
>
> Important point here.  Universal home Internet access for K12  
> students will benefit for more than just the low-income students.   
> Will have a significant impact on ALL students and teachers.  With  
> universal Internet access at home, teachers begin a transition to  
> managing class learning rather than spending class time giving  
> lectures, being able to teach through hotlinks, give homework  
> assignments through such apps as Blackboard, begin the transition to  
> individualized learning.
>
> The difference between teaching a K12 class where a few students  
> have Internet at home, and ALL students have that resource is  
> profound.
>
> Arne Duncan's Race to the Top?  This is the path to get there!
>
> The first pilot set of computers is scheduled to be given out in  
> early May, refurbished Pentiums or better with XP, and free cable  
> Internet in their homes.  We are working to set up tech support,  
> computer repair, documentation, introductory training for parents  
> and students.  The parents will be encouraged to make use of the  
> computers as well as the kids, and we are learning from other groups  
> that provide free or low-cost computers in their communities.
>
> If you are interested in keeping up with the project, drop me your  
> email address and the project will keep you informed from time to  
> time.
>
> Gene Gaines
> Sterling, Virginia



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