EDTECH
Teacher Tech Training Takes a Hit
Texas Can't Afford to Stop Funding Kids' Technology
INTERNET
Bridging the Digital Divide During Black History Month
The Kids are Alright
Burundian Refugees Benefit from UNHCR Internet Project
EDTECH
TEACHER TECH TRAINING TAKES A HIT
The Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers to Use Technology grant program (PT3), a
popular federal program that assists colleges of education to develop
effective edtech teacher training, is facing the chopping block under the
White House's proposed 2004 budget. In four years, PT3 has given out $337.5
million in the form of 441 grants going to universities that partner with
local school districts. John Bailey, Director of Education Technology at the
US Department of Education, says that edtech professional development would
be better served if federal funds were distributed to states via block
grants. "The president is not saying that it's not important for our
teachers to learn how to use technology," Bailey said. "We do believe that's
important. In the end, we're still achieving the same goal, we're just doing
it from another program that's out there." But Don Knezek, director of the
National Center for PT3 and CEO of the International Society for Technology
and Education, could not disagree more. "Eliminating funding for the PT3
program, unless the legislature elects to maintain it despite the
president's recommendation, will bring an end to the most effective and
far-reaching federally supported new teacher improvement program in recent
decades," he said. "What we're losing is that overarching piece that looks
at the (teacher preparation) issue as a national issue," he said. "I believe
that it's a national crisis, and it requires a national effort."
[SOURCE: Wired News, AUTHOR: Katie Dean]
(http://www.wired.com/news/school/0,1383,57583,00.html)
TEXAS CAN'T AFFORD TO STOP FUNDING KIDS' TECHNOLOGY
(COMMENTARY) According to Texas State Representatives Nick Noriega, Jessica
Farrar and Joe E. Moreno, Governor Rick Perry's decision to freeze over $221
in state technology funding "will prevent our schools from providing
students the necessary tools to compete in a technological world." The
Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund, or TIF, is funded externally from
the state's general revenue fund; because of this, the representatives argue
that the governor has no right to freeze it. "Through distance learning,
online libraries and instructional resources, TIF has provided our children
with a greater opportunity to explore their world and expand their
horizons," they write. "When everyone agrees that education should be Texas'
top priority, it is hypocritical for the leadership and others to attempt to
cut these funds from our schools, libraries and health-care facilities. We
have all heard the frequently used cliche, 'Leave no child behind.' Maybe
someone should remind the leadership that inner-city children should be
included as well."
[SOURCE: Houston Chronicle, AUTHORS: Nick Noriega, Jessica Farrar and Joe E.
Moreno]
(http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/editorial/outlook/1769949)
INTERNET
BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
This Sunday marked the beginning of the third annual Black Family Technology
Awareness Week. While African Americans account for approximately 12 percent
of the US population, they make up only five percent of the information
technology workforce. In Austin, Texas, programs like the local Goodwill
Industries computing center are giving African Americans the opportunity to
develop new skills -- and open new career doors as well. "It's important for
us as a black culture to be able to compete with any culture," says IBM
manager Sandra Johnson. "The only way we can do it is to be able to come
here and get the training we need."
[SOURCE: News 8 Austin, AUTHOR: Heather Maze]
(http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=60884&SecID=2)
For more information on Black Family Technology Awareness Week:
(http://blackfamilynet.net/family/)
THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Five UK-based Web sites are among the handful selected as finalists for this
year's ChildNet Awards, a competition honoring the best Web sites developed
by youth. The contest, sponsored by ChildNet International and Cable &
Wireless, received submissions from over 50 nations this year. Among this
year's finalists are Priorywoods School, a British school for the learning
disabled; YouthNoise.org, a US-based online community where young people can
debate and take action concerning pressing issues like gun violence and AIDS
prevention; and IEARN Sierra Leone, an educational initiative seeking to
engage youth on peace and reconciliation. The winners will be announced
April 24 at the Science Museum in London.
(SOURCE: Guardian Unlimited, AUTHOR: Anna Soderblom]
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,889382,00.html)
Full list of finalists:
(http://www.childnetawards.org/2003/shortlist.html)
BURUNDIAN REFUGEES BENEFIT FROM UNHCR INTERNET PROJECT
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported last week that
displaced Burundians in a northwest Tanzanian refugee camp are now being
given access to the Internet. The project, organized by the Global Catalyst
Foundation, utilizes the low-cost African satellite Internet service i-Way,
using a combination of solar power and a cow-manure-powered biogas system.
"Although only a small percentage of the 130,000 refugees in the Kasulu
District will be making full use of the Internet, UNHCR officials believe it
can make a huge difference to the lives of those who do," the agency said.
[SOURCE: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs]
(http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=32147)
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