INTERNET
Children Learn Net Skills with Parents
Conquering the Digital Divide
What the Net is Doing to You
BROADCASTING
Grants Assist Television Stations in Upgrading Technology
INTERNET
CHILDREN LEARN NET SKILLS WITH PARENTS
The United Kingdom's Department of Education is hosting computer workshops
this week to enhance students' and parents' Internet comprehension and
highlight online educational opportunities. The program, Parents Online, has
been active for the past three years, and is beginning to attract
international attention. Schools from countries such as Afghanistan, Sweden
and Israel have signed up to make their educational resources available for
parents and students. For students and parent who don't have access to a
computer at home, they are able to still participate in the initiative
through the public libraries and the more than 6,000 UK Online centers. "It
is crucial that parents have an understanding of what the Internet is and
find out about the value of e-learning," stated Don Brown of the UK
Department of Education.
[SOURCE: BBC News]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2288620.stm)
CONQUERING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE
(Op/Ed) Just because the U.S. federal government's annual report on computer
and Internet access has changed its name from "Falling through the Net" to
"A Nation Online," doesn't mean the digital divide has been bridged, said
Catherine Settanni, director of the Community Computer Access Network
(C-CAN), a Minnesota coalition of 67 community technology centers. Settanni
spoke at last week's Twin Cities Regional Community Technology Conference.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, who headlined the event, said there seemed to
be a lack of coordination between the number of organizations in the city
addressing the digital divide. Rybak said he would consider designating an
officer to coordinate digital divide efforts and respond to public
suggestions.
[SOURCE: Star Tribune]
(http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3331492.html)
WHAT THE NET IS DOING TO YOU
Many academicians are beginning to further understand the social change
implications of the Internet, and the impact those changes are having on our
political, educational and economic climate. The Oxford Internet Institute
is one of the world's first research centers to have its own teaching staff
dedicated specifically to studying the Internet and its social consequences.
The institute will serve as an outpost to the World Internet Project, an
initiative that believes the Internet will transform our social, political
and economic lives.
[SOURCE: BBC News, AUTHOR: Mark Ward]
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/2288598.stm)
BROADCASTING
GRANTS ASSIST TELEVISION STATIONS IN UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY
The U.S. Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA) today announced the award of $36 million in Public
Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) grants. The grants will assist
97 public broadcasting stations in completing the federally-mandated
conversion from analog to digital broadcasting. An additional $6 million in
PTFP grants were awarded for public radio, distance learning and the
replacement of television equipment.
[SOURCE: NTIA]
(http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/press/2002/ptfp_9302002.htm)
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