III-B. CK:P Affiliates - Resources
Affiliates provide the resources needed to carry out the research
program of the URL. Current affiliates provide examples
of how this works. Future affiliates will extend the work of the
URL and reach out to regions
underserved by current federal research programs.
Attached to the present proposal are letters of endorsement from
representatives of each of the affiliates listed below.
- Digital Equipment Corporation.
Through a collaboration with DEC and
Tele-Communications Incorporated (TCI), we are exploring
the possibility of providing low-cost network access with very
high bandwidth. If successful, this could provide an optimal
solution for network connectivity from schools and homes in all
the nation's cities. Thus DEC will help address questions of
student use and community access. TCI is the largest cable TV operator in the
country, and Pittsburgh is one of three sites nationally where
TCI is investing in a large-scale fiber-optic distribution
facility. DEC's long experience in networking makes them an ideal
partner for this venture.
- Pittsburgh Urban Mathematics Project.
The PUMP program is a collaboration between the Pittsburgh Public
Schools and John Anderson's Cognitive Psychology Research Group at
Carnegie Mellon University. PUMP brings content to
the school district as it develops mathematics
curriculum in the areas of algebra, geometry and Pascal. This work is
aligned with the goals of the NCTM standards [13], builds upon
Anderson's cognitive theory [14] and takes advantage of technology
in the form of intelligent computer tutors.
As an Affiliate, PUMP will gain network access for its participants,
significantly easing its problems in coordinating activities at
sites in high schools across the city while CK:P will
share some of the computing equipment that
has been placed in the schools for the PUMP effort.
- Seattle Public Schools. Individual teachers in
Seattle and Pittsburgh have been sharing network expertise [15] and
curricular applications for several years. As an Affiliate, Seattle
will begin to formalize this relationship, with exchanges
of teachers, collaborative teaching projects and continued sharing
of technical information and procedural strategies.
This relates to fundamental research questions of institutionalization and
dissemination.
- The Mattress Factory.
The Mattress Factory is a modern art museum in Pittsburgh.
Working with CK:P staff, the museum has been exploring the
potential of the Internet for presenting its collection to the
public and for developing resources for the school district.
The Mattress Factory has contributed to the design of the Art
Project and has provided material for the CK:P World Wide
Web server.
A specific interest of museum staff is the relation of the creative
process in art to problem-solving in mathematics and science.
Exhibits at the museum have focused on artists who approach their
work in this spirit. The museum's involvement with CK:P
will provide content in the area of the fine arts and will assist
in overall dissemination.